Boston has one of highest work-related injury rates in the UK
NEW figures obtained by not-for-profit campaign group the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) show that Boston has one of the highest workplace injury rates in the country.
APIL has unveiled the figures as members of the House of Lords are due to debate a clause in the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Bill which will revolutionise the way injured workers claim compensation from their employers, and, it is claimed, 'put workplace safety back to the Victorian era.'
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APIL president Karl Tonks said: "In Boston more people suffer a workplace injury per head of the population than in most parts of Great Britain. This number could increase if Government proposals go ahead.
"The change would mean that, if an employer breaches health and safety regulations and a worker is injured, the burden of proving what went wrong will fall to the worker.
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"This gives bosses who have been negligent the upper hand, as they are the ones who control the workplace, and the work equipment and who hold all the information about what systems they have in place.
"The injured person, who has none of this knowledge at his fingertips will have to gather the evidence himself to prove his case and the odds will be completely stacked against him, where now the law is clear and fair and looks after the vulnerable individual."
During 2011/12 there were 128 workplace injuries recorded in Boston – the equivalent of 978 workplace injuries per 100,000 employees. The average for Great Britain during the same period was 445.9.
Mr Tonks added: "Many people will be put off altogether from making genuine claims for the compensation they may desperately need to get back on their feet."
"This is effectively a license for negligent employers to avoid their health and safety responsibilities. And, if the guilty party does not make proper recompense, the state will have to foot the bill for medical care and other support."
Comments
by Bolshie
Monday, January 21 2013, 5:17PM
“Of course APIL will have this stance and this very jaundiced view of the legislation - it will mean their members will have to put more money and effort into their 'no win no fee' business and the risk of incompetent lawyers incurring losses is increased. As far as I'm concerned the proposed changes are a good thing and go a little way toward creating a level playing field for litigation. I have no problem with the plaintiff having to prove their case - it seems to be more sensible than assuming someone must have been negligent unless they can prove they weren't.”
by Cloth_Ears
Monday, January 21 2013, 12:15PM
“"Boston has one of highest work-related injury rates in the UK"
With the number of idiots this town has wondering the streets, i'm actually surprised the number isn't higher!!”
by Cloth_Ears
Monday, January 21 2013, 12:10PM
“"Boston has one of highest work-related injury rates in the UK"
With the number of idiots this town has wondering the streets, i'm actually surprised the number isn't higher!!”