Accident law news
When accidents occur they can be devastating; not only financially, but physically and emotionally as well. The government keenly regulates the law relating to health and safety and accidents. News of government reform and accident case law regularly make the headlines as they are both areas of great public interest.
The recent Court of Appeal ruling in Thompstone and others v Tameside NHS Trust and others has improved the situation for victims of accidents claiming for future healthcare costs. The court ruled that a more realistic index, based on healthcare workers’ wages, should be used periodically to calculate the cost of healthcare to a victim, as opposed to the RPI (retail price index). This is a more realistic way of calculating costs and it is fairer for claimants.
In 2008, the Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act came into effect. Corporate manslaughter occurs when an individual dies at work as a result of an accident. News of corporate manslaughter cases being very difficult to prove on behalf of the claimant has made the government rethink the law in this area. Previously, corporate manslaughter could only be found if an individual, who was the ‘controlling mind’ of a company, was proven guilty of manslaughter. The new Act allows companies and organisations (including government bodies) to be prosecuted if they cause death due to the gross negligence in the performance of their health and safety obligations.
The above are just a few examples of recent developments in the law governing accidents. A regulatory solicitor specialising in accident compensation claims will keep up to date with all the changes in the law and the latest accident news. If you have any queries, Contact Law can recommend a local expert for you.
If you would like to obtain legal advice on accident compensation claims, Contact Law can put you in touch with a local specialist personal injury / accident solicitor free of charge. So, if you have any questions or would like our help in finding local personal injury / accident solicitors please call us on 0800 1777 162 or complete the web-form above.
- Last Updated on 02/03/2010
