RIP-OFF WARNING OVER NO WIN, NO FEE LEGAL FIRMS
Compo Brits’ bill is £1.5bn toohigh
TWO million Brits could sue no win, no fee law firms who overcharged for their compensation battles.
A flood of cases are expected after a man won almost £3,000 from a company that took 56 per cent of his payout.
Trucker Matthew Liles, 31, broke both hands in a freak accident after he was asked to hold a ratchet as a co-worker tried to change the sheeting on a lorry.
But the ratchet flew round like a propeller, smashing Matthew’s hands. He was off work for a month and cannot play golf because of ongoing pain.
His damages totalled £8,000 but law firm Cordell and Co took nearly £4,500.
That was far greater than the Ministry of Justice fee cap of 25 per cent for successful damages claims.
The firm had also been paid more than £5,000 in costs from the other side.
Matthew challenged the bill through costs specialist firm CheckMyLegalFees. com and Cordell and Co agreed to pay him a further £2,957.
Relieved Matthew, from St Leonards, East Sussex, said: “You don’t expect solicitors to overcharge you. I’ve got a 19-month-old girl and four stepchildren so the money will be really useful.”
It is estimated similar claims could total £1.5billion after the Court of Appeal found law firms had been overcharging.
Mark Carlisle, of CheckMyLegalFees. com, said: “We’re delighted to help Matthew. It’s disgraceful firms overcharge. Too often claimants get their bill, shrug their shoulders and think there’s nothing they can do. But we’re determined to help get the money back.”
Claimants can use a firm like Matthew did or go to the Legal Ombudsman.
A spokesman for Cordell and Co said: “Our commitment to clients includes reaching a satisfactory outcome whenever possible. On a commercial basis and with no admissions whatsoever we reached an agreement with Mr Liles.”