Could Cold Calling Claims Companies be in Breach of the Law?

MANCHESTER, England, August 12, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

Compensation Claims Companies making unsolicited phone calls to private residences or mobiles asking if the recipient would like to file an accident compensation claim are in violation of laws regulating the claims industry and should be reported to the Ministry of Justice, say the personal injury solicitors at JMW LLP in Manchester.

Richard Powell, head of the Personal Injury Department at Manchester Solicitors JMW, recently highlighted the problem in a series of blog posts, explaining that he himself had been a victim of the unwarranted phone calls while staying in holiday accommodation, "The apartment is not used as a private dwelling at any time of year, it is solely for holiday lets, so this landline number would not be on record as 'belonging' to any individual person.

"On answering the call, there was an automated message referring to a recent accident and saying that an adviser was on hand to talk to me and secure several thousands of pounds in compensation for me."

According to Powell, the Ministry of Justice regulates claims companies to ensure that they do not make unsolicited contact with potential claimants. His advice to anybody who has been interrupted or annoyed by similar phone calls is "do your best to get the name of the company or a contact number so you can file a complaint with the Claims Regulation Unit at the Ministry of Justice as soon as possible.

"This type of marketing is against the law for a reason - it is intrusive to members of the public and it encourages scurrilous types of claims that have given accident compensation claims solicitors an undeservedly bad reputation. This type of aggressive marketing just belittles those people who have suffered a genuine injury and harms their ability to get their claims heard by the courts quickly. "It is aggressive and unwelcome marketing, and presents the wrong image of the legal profession." He also explains that texts sent with a similar purpose are also in violation on the law and should be reported in the same way. He adds, "If you have had an accident, do not use one of these impersonal services as they will not review your case to find you the most qualified solicitor. Look for a genuine law firm that specialises in accident compensation cases similar to yours."

JMW is a full service law firm based in Manchester. To speak to JMW personal injury solicitors for advice, visit http://www.jmw.co.uk/ or phone +44(0)800-054-6570.