PERSONAL INJURY: firm to distribute cash to good causes

A Cheshire firm is inviting personal injury firms to sign up to a network aimed at marketing their services while dispelling the 'ambulance chasing' image of accident lawyers by channelling money into local good causes.

More than 70 firms have so far expressed an interest in Community Claims, set up by Taylor Hollinshead, which will charge firms 100 per case referred and then put the bulk of the money into a local cause nominated by the claimant, while 25 will be put into a separate fund to be distributed among local schools, and 15 into a national pot which will make bigger payments on an annual basis.

Clients will be referred through a national Web site, with firms submitting details of payments they have made to a central register accessed by a public relations company that will publicise the scheme.

Partner Glyn Taylor said the more money raised, the more successful the scheme would be.

'Local communities will benefit from the funds that we are able to raise and solicitors will benefit from what will hopefully be a change in their image,' he explained.

Meanwhile, seven law firms have banded together to form the Surrey Accident Link, the latest not-for-profit personal injury marketing group.

The firms - Callaghans, Penningtons, Copley Clark & Bennett, Douglas Solicitors, Burley & Geach, HJ Partnership and Cordell & Co - have modelled the group on fellow home counties organisation, the Kent Accident Link.

Founder Penny Knight of Guildford-based Callaghans, said: 'Claims management companies have restricted panels and therefore are not always able to offer clients the best advice.'

Paula Rohan