Personal injury
APIL: 'Working towards a better deal for injured people'
Brett Dixon describes the work of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers' (APIL's) membership: ‘an army of personal injury experts and knowledgeable practitioners’.
About the author
Brett Dixon is president of APIL.
When an injured person seeks help, they want to know that it is coming from someone who has proven experience. After nearly three decades of driving improvement in standards, championing rights and guiding consumers, the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) has an army of personal injury experts and knowledgeable practitioners, including solicitors, barriers, Chartered Legal Executives, paralegals, and students in its membership. Together we work towards a better deal for injured people.
There is usually only one chance to put things right when someone suffers because of negligence, and doing so is important because, quite often, the injury is the single worst thing to ever happen to that individual. This is why APIL supplies and encourages take-up of specialist training and accreditation.
One of my predecessors said succinctly: ‘You wouldn’t have a neurosurgeon repairing a broken leg, whereas I have never done a conveyancing job in my life, but there’s nothing to stop me from doing it. It really comes down to making sure your personal injury lawyer has the relevant accreditation and is experienced. Injured people need sophisticated legal advice.’
The climate is tough for injured people and their representatives. Government reforms to whiplash claims and the discount rate in the Civil Liability Bill are at the top of APIL’s priorities, with a fight for an overhaul to the law on bereavement damages and a better system for injured medical patients also high on the association’s agenda. Alongside our training and campaign work, APIL has also developed a myriad of helpful tools for practitioners:
- ‘The Rehabilitation Code’ facilitates dialogue and collaboration between claimant lawyers and insurers in negotiating rehabilitation services for claimants.
- ‘The Register of Mediators’ will launch this summer to provide a place to find a mediator who specialises in personal injury cases specifically.
- 'The Serious Injury Guide’ for dealing with higher value cases encourages collaboration, case planning and the narrowing of issues in dispute.
APIL members want to be part of something bigger than themselves: to provide a voice for injured people in the legal process, in parliament, and in the public eye. There are plenty of opportunities to become more actively involved by providing input into APIL’s consultation responses; supporting your regional or special interest group; or running for a position on APIL’s executive committee. If personal injury is where you want to work, then we want to work with you.
- For more information visit: www.apil.org.uk
APIL has been fighting for the rights of injured people for over 25 years. A not-for-profit campaign organisation, APIL’s 3,200 member lawyers (mainly solicitors, barristers and Chartered Legal Executives) are dedicated to changing the law, protecting and enhancing access to justice, and improving the services provided for victims of personal injury.