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JIM STRANG
WELFARE RIGHTS AND EMPLOYMENT LAW CONSULTANTS
This article has been reproduced with the kind permission of 'The Wirral Globe'/Jim Strang.
INDUSTRIAL INJURIES SCHEME
This topic is about the industrial injuries scheme which covers accidents at work and industrial prescribed diseases.
How to claim and what to expect when you do claim.
IS EVERYBODY COVERED BY THE SCHEME
If you are an employee and suffer from an accident at work after 04/07/48 or you suffer from an industrial desease, although
many were not registered until later than this date, you may be covered by the scheme. You must have been working for an employee
however it does not matter if you were earning enough to pay tax or national insurance, you are still covered.
ACTION AFTER AN ACCIDENT
As soon as you can after an accident at work report it to your employer. By law if there are more than ten people employed there must be an accident report book.
It does not matter how trivial you think the accident is, a pain in the stomach for example may become a hernia. If in any doubt register the accident anyway.
if you have to have time off as a result of the accident claim benefit right away.
CIVIL CLAIMS
It may also be possible to claim for personal injury against your employee. To do this you should consult a solicitor who
deals with this type of work.
PRESCRIBED INDUSTRIAL DISEASES
There is at present 67 different registered industrial diseases, that is to say that they are accepted as being a risk but only in the occupations also lsited but not
risks common to the general population of causing that particular disease. The onus is firmly on you to claim for an industrial disease. So, if you believe that any condition you
have masy be work related then ask the DSS and you doctor for advice. If you ask the DSS get their response in writing as the rules on backdating have been changed so you will lose money.
REDUCED EARNINGS ALLOWANCE
REA is a benefit that you may be entitled to if your accident happened before 01/10/90 or the start of your industrial disease was before that date. To qualify you must have a current
assessment and be unable to return to the job that you were doing at the time of the accident or the start of the disease or do a job earning the same money due to the effects of the accident
or disease.
ADVICE
it is important to take advice as soon as you possible can. Make sure that who you contact is an expert in the type of problem that you have. Do not allow people to practise on your case
as there may be a lot of money to lose. Reduced earnings is a complicated benefit and is not included in the current application forms for disablement benefit so you would not be aware
of it without advice.
IF YOU NEED TO KNOW MORE ABOUT THIS ARTICLE OR ANY OTHER WELFARE RIGHTS OR EMPLOYMENT PROBLEM THEN WRITE TO:
(ENCLOSING A STAMPED ADDRESSED ENVELOPE FOR A REPLY)
JIM STRANG
8 Fairbeech Court
Beechwood
Birkenhead
Merseyside L43 7SZ
IF YOU WISH MR STRANG TO ACT ON YOUR BEHALF THEN GIVE HIM A RING ON:
TELEPHONE: 0151 606 1188
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