‘To those that have more will be given and to those that have not, even that will be taken away.

Disparity of rich and poor in Rio de Janeiro (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Today I signed up a new client. She had the misfortune to practically amputate her leg in an accident. The photos of the injury are disturbing to say the least. She had a smile on her face and was very positive. ‘Sure, it probably saved me from something much worse she said.’ I explained the ‘new’ personal injury process; having to go through the Government Personal Injury Assessment Board before we could properly deal with her case. She just said, ‘I’m leaving it in your hands. Just look after me.’

Sitting here now, I’m saddened that my hands are practically tied at this point in time. Yes, we’ll do our work and make sure we get in the evidence but I cannot be but frustrated that our State has imposed such restrictions on me, a professional in the exercise of my professional work. The Government set up this Injury Scheme in the name of the Citizen, to get rid of those greedy lawyers. Nothing could be further from the truth. The fact that I cannot issue a Writ without first going through the State imposed Scheme, is in my opinion, an abuse of power by the State. All Citizens should be entitled to bring their case to Court. It is their right as far as I am concerned.

The Insurance Federation Advertising Campaign again comes to mind. The way they treat the Citizen is nothing short of disgraceful. The inference being that the Irish people are all chancers. That they are out for what they can get. Your neighbour is making money while you all pay up. I suppose it’s nothing more than the way the State is treating it’s citizens now in all aspects of life. Wasn’t it scripture that informed us…. ‘To those that have more will be given and to those that have not, even that will be taken away.’ Well that seems to sum up Ireland in 2012. One law for the rich and another for the ordinary Citizen. Will it ever change?

LegalEagleStar , Tuesday , 9th. October , 2012