State of fear: Britain's "compensation culture" reviewed

Assertions that Britain is (or is in danger of becoming) a 'blame and sue' society are nowadays so frequently repeated in the media and elsewhere that they have all but become received wisdom. Whether they express a dangerous reality or a passing moral panic deserves serious consideration because of their potential to influence legislative and judicial agendas. This article examines what is meant by the phrase 'compensation culture', evaluates the recent evidence concerning it, and attempts to assess whether the concerns expressed are justified.