Proposed shake up of personal injury claims will harm vulnerable says Kevin Rowan

North East MP Sharon Hodgson is urging Justice Minister Jack Straw "to listen to the Northern TUC head Kevin Rowan on a proposed shake-up of the claims process for personal injury cases."

She says: "nearly a million people are injured or made ill at work every year and some 500 people a week are forced to give up work but only around 10% actually receive any form of compensation from either their employer or the state. And the number of compensation claims has been falling in recent years. Trade Unions are an essential extra protection for working people both in preventing accidents and in making sure people are suitably compensated when they do happen. The unions are at the sharp end, so to speak, of health and safety and have a wealth of experience that ministers should listen to with great care."

Northern TUC Regional Secretary Kevin Rowan says: "The current proposals will greatly shift the balance in personal injury claims toward those causing injury and illness and away from victims. As they stand, the proposals will deter individuals from pursuing legitimate claims and potentially reduce the already meagre compensation most people receive.

"The changes proposed are meant to be about speeding up the claims process and make it fairer, an aim the TUC would support. But these changes will reduce access to justice and harm those least able to defend themselves."

Contacts:

For more information from Sharon Hodgson contact Gary Kent on 07771 667589

Press release (300 words) issued 5 Jul 2007