My housemate was unfortunate enough to be involved in a rear end shunt a few months ago. He suffered a back and neck sprain, typical whiplash injury and whilst he didn’t need to take any time off work, he took it easy for a few weeks after the accident.

One particular day we decided to go to our local for some light refreshment and met some friends. The conversation turned to my housemate’s accident and how he was recovering after the accident. “You’ll get about 3 grand for that accident” said one friend. “No, he’ll only get £750. I knew a guy who knew a guy who was involved in a similar accident and he was ok after a few weeks. The insurance company only offered him £750 and said they wouldn’t offer him any more”.

I sat there in mild amusement as the “my friend’s friend got” stories got more and more elaborate. After hearing the outlandish story that one friend’s friend was awarded £10,000 for a 2 week recovery whiplash injury, I interjected and stopped the conversation.

“You’re all wrong” I said and all the faces looking at me paused in disbelief. “Oh excuse me, but I’m the only real expert in the field.” I went on to advise the procedure for valuing someone’s injuries and what factors were taken into account when valuing someone’s claim.

Further into the dicussion it transpired that the friend’s friend that was awarded £11,000 for a 2 week recovery whiplash injury was actually suffering effects of the injury for 3 years, the accident had “kicked off” a previously asymptomatic problem and it had resulted in him having a discectomy to relieve his symptoms!

My housemate was disappointed he wasn’t going to get £10,000; on the basis of the numbers banded around he’d planned a new car and 5* luxury holiday! So much for “my mate down the pub”!

- Nina