Legal profession denounces ‘whiplash myth’ neurosurgeon

Leading figures in the Irish legal profession have denounced an Irish neurosurgeon who claimed whiplash and soft tissue injury are “mainly non-existent injuries”.

Writing in The Irish Times today, UCC lecturer Dr Charles Marks claimed that the injuries, along with chronic fatigue syndrome, fibromyalgia and chronic pain syndrome, were “created by the medical profession in the second half of the 20th century”.

Dr Marks added: “Whiplash in certain (but not all) affluent countries is big business, a multi-billion euro gravy train for the medical profession, victims and lawyers.”

Pointing to the higher level of insurance awards in Ireland than in the UK, France or Germany, the leading neurosurgeon said: “Irish spines seem to be more fragile than those of our European neighbours.”

But condemnation was led by Stuart Gilhooly, president of the Law Society of Ireland, who tweeted that the remarks were “insulting to victims whose lives have been ruined”.

Mr Gilhooly added: “This guy has no credibility.”