Most people who fall ill or are injured at work never receive a penny in compensation, according to a recent report, The Compensation Myth, which was released jointly by the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) and the TUC to debunk popular misconceptions.
“Eighty-five per cent of people who have been injured or fallen ill simply by turning up for work don’t receive a penny in compensation,” explained APIL president, Matthew Stockwell. “Either these injured people are choosing not to claim, or they can’t prove that their injury is due to someone else’s negligence.
“Unfortunately, employers tend to have the upper hand, as they control the workplace and have all the information on the equipment and systems in place,” he added. “So there will be people who have a need and a right to claim but can’t, which is precisely the opposite of a so-called ‘have-a-go’ culture”.
More than 600,000 people are reported to become ill or are injured because of their job each year, and 25,000 of those are forced to give up work. The most common workplace injuries are musculoskeletal disorders such as ligament and back injuries, skin diseases, hearing problems and injuries from slips and falls.
“Compensation serves an important purpose,” said Matthew. “Myths and misunderstandings create a smokescreen which obscures the fact that injured people need, and are entitled to, help to get back to work and put their lives back on track.”
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