Insurers are to pick up therapy costs for some injured claimants, even if they have not yet decided whether to accept liability, under the newly-revised but voluntary Rehabilitation Code.


In addition, compensators who have agreed to pay for therapy will not attempt to claw back treatment costs if claims are subsequently dropped or fail. They will also respond within 21 days of receiving the claimant solicitor's letter on rehabilitation provision.



The new code, published last week, seeks to speed up recovery times for victims by prioritising provision of physical, vocational and psychological rehabilitation therapy, rather than waiting for settlements in what can often be complex and lengthy cases.



Ian Walker, former president of the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and chairman of the group responsible for drawing up the new code, said it puts 'the claimant at the centre of the process' and allows for 'many more injured clients to have the rehabilitation they need'. APIL vice-president Amanda Stevens was also a member of the group.



Justin Jacobs, head of liability at the Association of British Insurers, said insurers would not pay rehabilitation costs in cases they intend to dispute, but were prepared to absorb what were relatively small costs for some they had yet to decide on.



'Rehabilitation can make a real difference if provided quickly. We are looking at the bigger picture and a better focus on getting care where it is needed,' he said.



Anita Rice