This text analyzes the law relating to compensation for personal injuries, and also the social, political and economic issues underlying the law. Topics new to this edition include: the treatment of disabled people, the increase in group litigation in disaster and drug cases, the formation of an association of plaintiff's lawyers specializing in personal injury cases, the introduction of "Crown indemnity" and the development of structured settlements. The ordinary law of torts and the social security system are discussed. Many inconsistencies and anomalies are brought out into the open, and the book has been re-designed with a view to making its message clearer and sharper.