New law supports accident victims in Scotland

The Scottish Parliament have passed new laws that will alter the workplace compensation system to benefit victims and their families.

The Damages (Scotland) Act 2011, which was passed in March, has now come into force. The new legislation awards rights to the families of people killed in work-related accidents and to individuals suffering from fatal diseases acquired in the workplace.

The Act has overhauled Scotland’s workplace compensation system so that damages are awarded in the event of wrongful death without the need for the victim’s family to have to undergo a long, drawn-out court case. The new rules have been welcomed by solicitors as an improvement to the old system which did not necessarily recognise the loss suffered by the victim’s family.

Laura Blane, a partner at law firm Thompsons, commented: “This legislation means that sufferers and their families will now get better treatment by the legal system and better rights to get the compensation they deserve.”

Every year, around 30 people are killed in workplace accidents in Scotland and it is estimated that there are over 250 people suffering from potentially fatal asbestos-related diseases.

First Response Training Scotland can offer a wide range of health and safety training courses for all industry sectors to help foster a positive safety culture within organisations and ensure that all reasonable measures are taken to prevent work-related accidents and illnesses.

Perry Leeks, Managing Director at First Response, says: “It is great that new legislation has been introduced to help the victims of workplace accidents and their families. However, prevention is better than cure and the key is to follow good health and safety practice to protect your workers in the first instance.

“You can negate the possibility of lawsuits and compensation claims by working hard to protect workers from harm as a matter of norm. The first step to achieving this is proper health and safety training for yourself and your employees.”
As one of the UK's leading health and safety training services, First Response provide information and training in all aspects of health and safety in the workplace, covering topics such as first aid, fire, food safety, health and safety legislation and procedures, COSHH, DSE, Manual Handling, and many more across all industry sectors, from social care to construction. These safety training courses keep workers feeling confident and refreshed in general health and safety guidance, allowing organisations to create and maintain a safe working environment.

First Response Training Scotland has continued to build and maintain a flexible, friendly approach to training so that everyone can have access to life saving skills and good health and safety knowledge. All courses are simple, easy to follow and are led by friendly, experienced trainers.

For more information, please call First Response Training Scotland today on 01292 478358.