An article in The Guardian has caused controversy by appearing to question the validity of most whiplash injury claims even questioning the existence of the painful and debilitating condition fibromyalgia.
Despite it being recognised as a compensable condition and having official World Health Organisation status, an anonymous doctor writing in the newspaper twice refers to fibromyalgia in inverted commas, once saying ‘"fibromyalgia" – whatever that is'.
The doctor also argues that GPs should play an active part in reducing the incidence of whiplash injury claims by reserving a whiplash diagnosis only for grade 4 and grade 5 car crash neck injuries, the two severest forms.
However, the doctor's comments have attracted outrage and ridicule from many readers, with some labelling them "offensive" and threatening to complain to the Press Complaints Commission.
Indeed, the article has become much more than a piece about the whiplash injury claim ‘industry', it has even provoked a response from the Vice Chair of the Fibromyalgia Association, who accuses the doctor of ignoring NHS evidence.
*Where replacement vehicle costs can be recovered from the insurance company of the person who caused the accident.
Where this person is untraceable or uninsured, or where there is a dispute over liability, a replacement vehicle cannot
be provided.
