By: 29 January 2025
Personal injury claims drop, but public liability cases surge

Figures show that personal injury claims continued to decline in 2024, while public liability and clinical negligence saw sharp rises. 

The latest figures from the Compensation Recovery Unit (CRU) reveal a continued decline in personal injury claims, with total registrations falling to 467,783 in 2024 from 476,702 in 2023. However, public liability cases have seen a sharp increase. 

A shift in the motor injury claims ecosystem since 2023 

The data shows a significant drop in motor injury claims, which remain the largest category but have fallen from 352,230 in 2023 to 328,637 in 2024. According to the Association of Consumer Support Organisations (ACSO), which obtained the latest data through a Freedom of Information request, the decline in motor injury claims is ongoing with no signs of slowing. 

2024 saw the lowest number of road-traffic accident (RTA) injury claims ever recorded. Since 2018, claims have fallen by more than 50%, despite there being more cars on the road and similar annual mileage. Maxwell Scott remarked: “People are still suffering injuries from RTAs, but they are not claiming, even though they have every right to do so. 

“The government and insurers have worked hard, through a mix of public policy and public relations, to make it increasingly difficult for injured people to get redress, despite continuing historic highs for the cost of motor insurance.” 

He also urged the government’s Motor Insurance Taskforce to investigate why promised savings for consumers have not materialised. “We look forward to the FCA publishing its data on whiplash savings and asking insurers to fulfil the promises made in 2018, at the time the whiplash reforms became law.” 

Employer liability claims stable, but public liability and clinical negligence claims rise 

Employer liability claims have remained relatively steady, rising slightly from 44,296 in 2023 to 45,497 in 2024. In contrast, public liability claims have surged by 15% between 2023 and 2024, possibly due to increasing safety concerns in public spaces.  

Clinical negligence claims have also seen a sharp rise, jumping from 14,918 in 2023 to 16,540 in 2024, possibly reflecting challenges in the NHS. 

“All claims, with the exception of clinical negligence, are down since 2018, reflecting a society where injured people increasingly cannot expect to be supported after they have an accident,” Maxwell Scott concluded. 

While the overall trend in personal injury claims is downward, the rise in public liability and clinical negligence cases suggests a changing landscape in compensation claims. 

Image credit:  © charliepix via Canva
Josie Geistfeld
Josie is an editor for Claims Media. She welcomes feedback, comments, and opinion at josie.geistfeld@barkerbrooks.co.uk