Having read the letter headed 'One step ahead' I must say that I found it amusing but I do not feel altogether happy (see [2003] Gazette, 20 November, 15).

It is a sad reflection on our litigious society that the priority on suffering an injury seems to be to contact one's lawyer.

One would have thought that medical attention would be the immediate priority and one could worry about the compensation afterwards.

I would not seek to deny anyone their proper legal redress, but as I see this country adopting the US style compensation culture (particularly when it comes to hounding doctors and costing the NHS vast amounts), I do not feel totally proud of my profession.

John Ball, Falmouth, Cornwall