An ugly culture - Insurance claim overturned

IT is one of the hot topics of the day — soaring insurance premiums and the claims culture that, partially at least, drives them.

It is reassuring, therefore, to see a judge assert what might be regarded as the common good by overturning an award to a woman for €40,000 granted after she fell on an escalator at Dublin Airport.

The woman endured soft tissue injuries, one to her head was described as “nasty” in court. There is no suggestion of wrongdoing on the woman’s part but many of the awards granted seem utterly disproportionate and out of kilter with anything that might be described as balanced.

Last week a person was awarded €25,000 because they were trapped in a lift for a few minutes. Until we change our attitude on spectacular claims for minor events, we can get used to the idea of ever more expensive insurance.

To this end judges should be asked to explain how they make such generous rulings.