The report, released by workers’ health journal Hazards, shows work injury claims are down 60 per cent in the last decade, from 219,183 in 2000/01 to 87,655 in 2011/12 - despite the Government’s message that ‘trivial’ claims are rife.
Less than one in 50 occupational cancer victims receive payouts
Official Government figures reveal a reduction in payouts across the board. Less than one in 50 occupational cancer victims receive payouts, and while more than 4,000 workers die of chronic bronchitis and emphysema each year, a mere 59 received compensation in 2011/12.
“This report reveals how disconnected the Government is. Banging on about a so called ‘compensation culture' may keep their friends in the insurance industry happy but it bears no relation to the hard statistical evidence.” said Tom Jones, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Thompsons.
“At Thompsons we deal with thousands of cases each year where individuals have had their lives ruined, or families have lost loved ones due to basic health and safety errors.
“Employers have a responsibility to ensure that their workers are given the basic protections afforded them by law. The government's role is not to downplay health and safety by going on about 'red tape' as that only encourages poor employers to cut corners to save money.”
