The impact of serious accidents on victims’ lives has been highlighted recently by the falling of a screen at a pop concert, construction site calamities and crashes on the road. Awards of damages against those responsible are intended to compensate the victims for lost earnings and the cost of medical treatment and care. Court awards are usually paid by insurers. Hong Kong’s system for “personal injury” claims is well established. But fundamental changes have been proposed. Victims are currently awarded a lump sum by the courts. This must last them for their lifetime. But assessing the correct figure is difficult. Very often, it turns out to be too high or too low. Sometimes victims run out of money. The Law Reform Commission has recommended courts be permitted to order damages be paid in instalments instead and be subject to review. This is to make assessments more accurate, protect payments from inflation and ensure they reflect changes in the victim’s circumstances. Periodic payments would also help prevent the money being misused by relatives. Such arrangements have long existed in Britain and are available in many other parts of the world. Hong Kong courts should be allowed ‘to order periodic payments for accident victims’ The commission’s recommendation follows a consultation in 2018. There has been resistance from the insurance industry amid concerns the process would cause uncertainty, lead to higher administration costs, deter parties from settling outside court and push up the cost of premiums. Careful consideration of the impact of the reform is needed. Steps must be taken to ensure the funds for the long-term payments are secured should, for example, an insurer fail to pay. But many of the concerns highlighted have already been tackled in the consultation. The commission recommends the new arrangements only apply to “catastrophic injury” cases involving permanent disabilities requiring long-term care. These are estimated to be likely to represent less than 1 per cent of all personal injury cases. Justice requires that injury victims be put into the financial position they would have enjoyed had the accident not happened. The availability of periodic payments will make that objective much easier to achieve. The commission’s proposals will bring Hong Kong in line with developments elsewhere. They deserve attention and action.