According to three-quarters of healthcare professionals, the current system of compensation for whiplash is prone to fraud.
Widespread skepticism about the process of claiming after accidents was revealed by a survey of more than 500 GPs, physiotherapists and consultants.
Almost 90% believe some whiplash claims could be given a different label, a further 47% of GPs providing medical reports in personal injury believe the system encourages diagnosis for maximum gain.
The survey follows justice secretary Jack Straw’s comment that whiplash diagnoses are delivered by ‘third-rate doctors, in the pay of claims management companies or personal injury lawyers’.
However, commissioned by three leading insurers and rehabilitation provider HCML, the survey suggests that doctors believe they are constrained by regulations.