National personal injury firm Thompsons has called on government ministers to put rehabilitation for injury victims at the heart of its review of civil justice, after research into client attitudes showed overwhelming support for the benefits of rehabilitation.

According to the firm, in a survey of 50 clients who received an average of six rehabilitation sessions in the last year, all 50 said that rehabilitation helped them recover from their injuries.

Some 30% of clients who had to take time off work said that rehabilitation helped them return to work earlier. Of the 50 clients, 80% said it helped them return to their leisure pursuits, and 70% said it reduced the amount of assistance they needed with day-to-day tasks.

Thompsons claimed that defendant insurance companies in personal injury claims ‘are reluctant to engage with the rehabilitation process or to offer interim payments to ensure that rehabilitation can take place at an early stage’.

The Association of British Insurers and the International Underwriting Association are currently reviewing a voluntary code of conduct on rehabilitation.

Thompsons’ head of personal injury Judith Gledhill said: ‘The reality for defendants is that rehabilitation usually does reduce the amount of time an injured person is off work, and the amount of help they need with day to day tasks.

‘There is a rehabilitation code, and if all parties act within the spirit of the code and ensure that claimants are offered and accept appropriate rehabilitation at an early stage, the outcome will generally be better for all involved in the litigation process. For insurers, promotion of early rehabilitation will generally result in a reduction in the amount of damages and costs paid, while the injured person will have the benefit of input and treatment from experienced healthcare professionals.’