What is the Official Injury Claims Service?

Posted
AuthorSamantha Day

The Official Injury Claims Service (OIC) was introduced by the government as part of a package of whiplash reforms which apply to small claims.

The schemes aim is to compensate victims with claims for injury and loss arising as a result of road traffic accidents that occur after the 31 May 2021. It allows a Claimant to make their own claim for compensation by inputting details into an online Portal and following the process through the stages.

The scheme runs a strict tariff based system of compensating victims which is not very generous. The amount of compensation you receive under this scheme will depend on the length of time symptoms last; that the injuries are below £5,000; and the claim inclusive of injuries and financial losses, will not exceed the upper limit of £10,000.

Did you know?

There are some limited exceptions, which exclude a claim from the OIC and enable you to obtain compensation which is not tariff based. These exceptions are:

Where at the time of the accident the Claimant was a vulnerable road user, for example, pedestrians, horse riders, motorcyclists; bicycle users; a person using a wheelchair or a mobility scooter;
Where the Claimant or Defendant acts as a personal representative of a deceased person;
The person at fault is not a road used, for example if you claim against the owner of an animal that escapes onto the highway causing an accident;
At the date the claim is started, the Claimant is under 18;
Where the Claimant or Defendant is a protected party, such as a person that does not have mental capacity to deal with their own claim;
Where the Claimant is bankrupt;
Where the defendant’s vehicle is registered outside of the UK;
If a Claimant has been hit by a vehicle and the driver has left the scene without providing details and cannot subsequently be identified (known as an untraced driver);
If you can successfully argue the injury was caused by lack of health and safety procedures whist you were acting in the course of your employment.

If you believe any of the above exceptions apply, you may be entitled to legal representation and at John Hodge Solicitors we can advise you if your claim falls into one of the above exemptions.

If you have a claim already in the OIC Portal and have sustained whiplash injury (defined as injury to your neck, back and shoulders), and additionally have other injuries, for example, a soft tissue injury to your leg or arm, at John Hodge Solicitors we will review your case and circumstances and advise you on whether removing your claim from the OIC Portal is in your best interests. We will ensure that the value of your combined injuries is properly assessed in accordance with current guidelines, and your losses arising from the accident are properly captured and claimed for. At John Hodge Solicitors we are committed to obtaining the maximum award for a victim.

If you have suffered injury in a road traffic accident, please contact us to have a free, no obligation discussion regarding your claim.

Next Steps: Get in touch

If you would like to discuss your Injury claim then please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of legal experts at John Hodge Solicitors, conveniently located throughout the South West, with offices in Bridgwater, Bristol, Clevedon, Wedmore, Weston-super-Mare and Yatton.

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