The public’s ignorance of the law is one of the major obstacles that is preventing people from gaining access to justice through personal injury claims, and most believe that making a claim would be ‘working the system’, according to a report by National Accident Helpline based on a poll of 1,600 people.

The report, The Scale of Injustice: How the British Public is paying the price for the compensation culture myth, found that only 6% of respondents were ‘confident’ of their legal rights. Four-fifths perceived there to be ‘significant obstacles’ to seeking redress for a personal injury, and 57% identified a social stigma in making a claim.

Some 60% said they would feel ‘guilty’ for making a claim against their employer.

The findings are published ahead of a government review of health and safety laws by former minister Lord Young.

Samantha Porteous, CEO of National Accident Helpline, said: ‘NAH is injecting some balance in to what has so far been a very one-sided public debate fuelled by the insurance industry and some very inaccurate media reports.’

She added: ‘Our research shows that many consumers are reluctant to approach solicitors, and that barriers to justice are significant.’ When broken down by type of poll respondent, the research showed that these barriers were more prevalent among lower socio-economic groups.

Porteous also pointed out that employer liability claims had fallen 69% in ten years – further evidence that the UK’s compensation culture is not on the rise, and does not represent an unacceptable burden on employers.