12% Work Accident Claim Rise Shows Increased Awareness of Rights
There was a 12% increase in work accident claims between 2008 and 2009 according to one leading UK accident claim company. There are many types of accident claims and this is certainly not the most common, but the increase does present come interesting points. Whilst it’s possible that the number of accidents and injuries has increased, it is actually more probable that workers are simply more aware of their rights.
Employers have a legal duty to provide the right environment, training and protective equipment to protect workers’ health and safety and to avoid unnecessary injury. An employee is entitled to make an accident claim if they are injured as a result of their employer failing in this duty. Workers are more aware than ever before of their rights thanks to increased coverage of high profile accident claim cases in the media.
Workers had often been less than inclined to make an accident claim over workplace injury for fear of being penalised by the employers and being confused and daunted by the legal process. Unfortunately, troubled by financial worries, too many returned to work early, exacerbating the injury. Nowadays, improved public understanding of rights and improved protection by law of workers who make an accident claim have led many to pursue their claim. Injured workers are no longer suffering in silence, they are receiving the compensation they deserve to alleviate their financial worries and they are allowing themselves to recover adequately before returning to work.
Many companies have taken the increase in accident claims as a catalyst for conducting thorough reviews into health and safety at work. If the accident claim rise has encouraged more employers to take their duty seriously then it may well have avoided other injuries and even saved lives and this can only be regarded as a positive.
Tags: accident claim, accident claim solicitor, Personal Injury, personal injury claim