You're right, West Coast, the UK has started on the slippery slope of 'no-win no-fee' litigation. I think you'll find that we've still got some way to go before things get as bad as they are on your side of the pond.
When I drive in the US, I'm always amused by the message stencilled on the rear-view mirror:
"Objects in this mirror are closer than they appear".
I'm sure this is the result of some moron failing to realise that the mirror is convex, pulling out in front of another vehicle, getting rear-ended and successfully suing the manufacturer. I usually joke to my american friends that, for the benefit of the hard of understanding, the message should be extended to include:
"... and they are behind you"!
Have a nice day now ...