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Author: Jonathon

When can you make council claims?

Posted on by Jonathon

When you have an accident in a public place, there are instances where the council is at fault for your accident. This is why council claims may happen.

Your local council has a duty to keep all roads and pavements safe to use. They also have a duty to keep council buildings like schools and parks, council-owned homes, and street lighting safe.

When people have accidents in these places and the council are at fault, they may be able to make council claims.

When can you make council claims?

There are many instances where the council may be at fault for your accident. The main cause of council claims is potholes in the road or on the pavement. Instances where you can claim against the council for a pothole fall can include tripping in the pothole while walking, cycling into the pothole, and being hurt in a resulting crash, or a pothole causing a car accident in which you are injured, or your car damaged.

Council compensation claims can include:

  • Damage sustained from a pothole that is more than one inch (2.5 centimetres) deep.
  • Injuries sustained while tripping on uneven paving or pavement where a stone is sticking up by at least one inch
  • Being injured at work if you are a council employee, including through not being provided with adequate protective equipment or training
  • You or your child being hurt by faulty or poorly maintained playground equipment
council claims

When can’t you make council claims?

Slips on ice

One of the major reasons people may want to claim against the council is if they slip on ice. Whilst ice is an inconvenience, and councils do grit roads, councils actually have no legal obligation to do this. Therefore, if you slip on ice, then it is unlikely that you will be able to make a claim against the council for the fall.

Weather

Sometimes, when someone has an accident due to weather conditions, they may think that the council is to blame. This is especially true if the weather causes slippery roads and pavements. However, the council cannot be blamed for weather conditions. This includes rain, snow, ice, and fallen leaves. If you slip on leaves or wet ground, unfortunately you can’t claim against the council.

Littering/Fly tipping

If you slip on litter on the street, then you may believe that the council may be to blame for your accident. This is especially true if this litter is near a bin. However, the council are not at fault for litter on the ground. This is the same for fly tipping.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes council claims. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable experts.

COPD at Work

Posted on by Jonathon

There is a focus every November on Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), with World COPD Day taking place on 17th November. COPD is a lifelong condition. This means that COPD at work can be an important aspect of your life if you suffer with the disease.

COPD is a major cause of disability and death; thousands of people die each year from work-related lung diseases and in many cases due to exposures that took place many years before. COPD describes a number of breathing problems where there is damage to the breathing tubes and air sacs within the lung.  Breathing in certain dusts, fumes, chemicals, or gases in the workplace can cause serious long term lung damage. People who have asbestosis, a lung disease caused by asbestos, may develop COPD as a complication.

According to the Health and Safety Executive, 21.9 million working days are lost due to COPD annually.

COPD at Work: What Your Employer Can Do

According to the Health and Safety Executive, 21.9 million working days are lost due to COPD annually. For employers, preventing dusts, fume and irritant gases from getting into the air is usually more effective, simpler, and cheaper, than controlling dust once it is in the air.

Employers can:

  • Use water for wet techniques including cutting, grinding, or blasting and for suppression on dusty roadways.
  • Buy dust-reduced materials. For example pellets, tablets, solutions or pastes, and use pre-weighed material in sealed bags. 
  • Segregate – put dusty machinery in a separate room or automate processes.
  • Carry out risk assessments
  • Reduce grinding and sawing and ensure all equipment is maintained to a high standard
  • Keep machines clean
  • Use effective Local Exhaust Ventilation (LEV)
  • Use respiratory protective equipment (RPE) when required

If your employer fails to do this, you may be able to make a COPD at work claim.

COPD at Work: What You Can Do

Other HSE safety advice states that, as an employee, make it part of your day to:

  • Vacuum clean – don’t use brushes or compressed air
  • Handle materials ‘gently’ – reduce the distance they fall or are thrown
  • Reduce machine speed or power.
  • Improve your work practices – don’t drop material
  • Avoid creating draughts.
  • Control waste – use closed bags or containers
  • Don’t let wet waste dry out and remove it frequently from your workplace.

COPD Outside of work

Outside of COPD at work, there is more guidance from the NHS on how to look after yourself if you have COPD. Some of the guidance includes taking prescribed medicine, including inhalers, exercising regularly, and maintaining a healthy weight, stop smoking if you do smoke, being careful of what you breathe, making sure you are prepared for cold weather, and having regular check-ups and reviews.

The breathing problems that arise with COPD tend to get gradually worse over time and can limit your normal activities, although treatment can help keep the condition under control. This is why it is important to do all you can to control the disease.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury and industrial disease claims. This includes work-related illnesses due to COPD at work. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Southern and Thameslink Services Suspended After Person Involved in Train Accident

Posted on by Jonathon

Recently Southern and Thameslink suspended their services after a train accident. The train hit a person on a Surrey route. Emergency services attended the incident near Sutton station.

The update on traffic and travel website Inrix read: “Services suspended on Southern and Thameslink between Mitcham Junction and Epsom due to emergency services dealing with an incident.”

Thameslink wrote about the incident on Twitter.

The tweet said: “It is with great sadness that we report a person has been hit by a train between Mitcham Junction and Epsom.

“All lines are blocked between these stations whilst the emergency services work to deal with this incident. Service information will follow.”

At just after 6.40pm Thameslink and Southern confirmed that lines had reopened.

train accident claims

Train Accident Claims

There are many different types of accidents which may happen on trains, at train stations or on platforms. Some of the most common causes of train accident claims include:

  • Train crashes and collisions with other trains
  • Slips, trips and falls on trains, in train station or on platforms.
  • Falling objects such as luggage hitting passengers
  • Pedestrians being hit by trains whilst crossing tracks or at level crossings
  • Doors closing too early, causing injuries
  • Train users tripping or falling when entering or exiting the train
  • Injuries caused by defects in seats and defective equipment on the train

Common Causes of Train Accidents

The train company and train drivers have a duty of care to their passengers. This means that they should take reasonable steps to ensure that all passengers are safe whilst travelling on the train. The most common causes of train accidents and subsequent train accident claims include:

  • Negligence of the train driver. This can include a driver talking on a phone, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or simply poor concentration of the driver
  • The train companies’ failure to complete regular checks to ensure that the train is safe a free from defects
  • Poor housekeeping due to the negligence of the train and train station staff
  • Poor or inadequate training of staff on the train
  • Defects on the train tracks or at level crossings

In the vast majority of cases, if a person makes a train accident claim, it is against the train company. This is because they have a duty of care to ensure that train users are safe whilst travelling.

There are some cases where the train company had no control over the accident. In these cases, a person must claim against someone else.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes train accident claims. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Differences Between Pension Types

Posted on by Jonathon

Private pensions have a number of similarities and differences. This guide will explain the differences between pension types, as well as some similarities. There are two main types of private pension:

  • Defined contribution
  • Defined benefit

Differences Between Pension Types

Defined Contribution Pensions

Defined contribution pensions (also referred to as money purchase schemes) are a type of personal pension. They can be workplace pensions provided by your employer or private pensions, which you would need to arrange yourself or through a financial advisor.

Money paid into the pension is put into investments (such as stocks and shares) by the chosen pension provider.  The value of your pension pot can therefore go up or down depending on how the investments perform.

These pensions offer a variety of funds to invest in, which represent different levels of risk. Some schemes automatically move you into a low-risk fund as you approach retirement, often described as lifestyle switching.

What you receive from the pension at retirement is not guaranteed.  This depends on how much was paid in, and how well the investments have performed.

Defined Benefit Pensions

Defined benefit pensions are workplace pension provided by employers. They are also known as final salary pensions. 

Unlike defined contribution pensions, how much you receive from your pension at retirement is not dependent on investment performance, or how much you have paid in. Defined benefit pensions are based on your salary and how long you have worked for your employer.

Defined benefit schemes also differ for defined contribution schemes in that the pension provider will guarantee to pay you a certain amount each year when you retire. The amount you receive year on year often increases in line with inflation.

differences between pension types

Differences Between Other Pension Types

Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs)

Self-invested personal pensions (SIPPs) are a pension ‘wrapper’ that allow you to save, invest and build up a pot of money for when you retire. It is a type of defined contribution personal pension and works in a similar way. The main difference is that with a SIPP, you have more flexibility with the investments you can choose, which you manage yourself or with the help of a financial adviser.

As you’re in control, you can make changes and additions to your investments as often as you want. SIPPs can offer much wider investment options than other pension types.

Small Self-Administered Schemes (SSAS)

Small self-administered pension schemes (SSAS) are generally set up to allow a small number of senior staff in a company to build up a pot of money. They differ from other occupational pension schemes in that they limit the membership to usually no more than 11 members. These are often company directors or senior executives. However, they can be open to other workers and even family members.

The value of a member’s entitlement from a SSAS when they retire depends on:

  •  The amount of money that’s been paid in
  •  The length of time that each contribution has been invested
  •  investment growth over this period and the level of charges (if applicable).

SSAS pensions function like most other workplace pensions, with a few key differences. Like most defined contribution schemes, the employer and/or its members pay contributions, which are all eligible for tax relief. Members can start withdrawing benefits from the age of 55 in the standard way.

However, unlike other schemes, there’s often no pension provider involved. All the members, or trustees, decide what happens with the monies, thus gaining greater flexibility and control. Another key difference is that you can pass down the benefits of the scheme to future generations.

How we Can Help with Differences Between Pension Types

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience with financial mis-selling claims. This means that they can help with any questions you have about the differences between pension types when making a claim. If you think you may have a potential claim, contact us today by filling in or contact form. Or call us to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Scaffolding Company Fined After Crane Operator Suffers Electrocution at Work

Posted on by Jonathon

A company has been fined after a worker suffered a fatal electrocution at work whilst operating a lorry mounted crane. The worker was fatally electrocuted when the crane he was operating struck an overhead powerline whilst he was unloading materials in a field at Cowbridge, South Glamorgan.

An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the employer had not done a risk assessment in the field where the incident happened. There were also no control measures in place to prevent contact with the overhead powerlines.

The company paid a fine of £160,000 and costs of £45,000.

Speaking after the hearing, a HSE inspector said: “This death was easily preventable, and the risk should have been identified.  Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise the risk from striking overhead powerlines. This death would have been preventable had an effective system for managing unloading materials been in place.”

electrocution at work

Electrocution at Work

Electric shock accidents can occur when somebody comes into contact with an electrical current. This electrical energy flows through the body, causing a shock, which can result in burns, nerve damage, or even death. Some victims of electric shock have permanent scarring and limited mobility.

Electric shocks can also contribute to secondary injuries such as lacerations, fractures, and dislocations. This is because electric shocks can generate such a large amount of force that they can throw a victim off the ground.

Types of Electrocution at Work

There are a variety of different reasons that electrocution at work can occur, with some of the most common claims including:

  • Faulty wiring in a building or an office
  • Failure to provide adequate training or equipment when working with electrics
  • Not undertaking maintenance of electrical equipment
  • Instructing employees without the necessary training or qualifications to carry out electrical work
  • Faulty electrical products

In the case of the worker who suffered an electrocution at work, there was nothing to avoid contact with the powerlines, which is why the court found the employer responsible for the accident.

Fatal Electrocution at Work Claims

Following a fatal injury, dependents of the deceased can make a fatal accident compensation claim. Dependents are:

  • Spouses
  • Partners (must have cohabited for at least 2 years before the accident)
  • Civil Partners
  • Parents (including step-parents and adoptive parents)
  • Children (including step-children)
  • Siblings
  • Grandparents

Those who represent the deceased’s estate can also make fatal accident claims.

When a loved one has a fatal accident at work, claiming compensation may be the last thing on your mind. However, the solicitors we work with can help to ease any financial burdens that these accidents may cause.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes electrocution at work claims. So contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Most Common Injuries at Work

Posted on by Jonathon

There are many different types of accident at work that you may suffer from, and they all come with their own types of injury. However, there are some common injuries at work that happen in a variety of workplaces.

These injuries happen in workplaces ranging from construction to office work. However, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) the most common industries where accidents happen are agriculture, forestry and fishing, and construction.

Most Common Injuries at Work

There are various ways you can be injured at work. The most common accidents are slips, trips, and falls, manual handling and carrying, being struck by a moving vehicle or falling object, and falls from height. Similarly, there are many injuries that you can have in these accidents. Some of the most common injuries at work include:

  • Musculoskeletal injuries
  • Fractures and breaks
  • Strains and sprains
  • Burns
  • Lacerations/open wounds

Musculoskeletal Injuries

The most common injuries at work are musculoskeletal disorders. According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), there were 480,000 Workers suffering from work-related musculoskeletal disorders (new or longstanding) in 2019/20.

Employers must protect workers from the risks of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) being caused or made worse by work. Musculoskeletal injuries include injuries and conditions that can affect the back, joints, and limbs.

The parts of the body most likely to be affected by musculoskeletal injuries are the lower back, shoulders, forearms, wrists and hands, neck, hips, legs, knees, ankles, and feet.

Workers can have different kinds of musculoskeletal conditions at the same time, and because of the same accident.

Claiming for Common Injuries at Work

It is your employer’s responsibility to keep you safe from a work accident. This means that they must make sure you have the correct training and equipment to be able to do your job correctly. They must also carry out risk assessments. This is to ensure it is safe to do the job.

If your employer has not followed the guidelines to keep you safe at work, or has done so incorrectly, you may be able to claim compensation. We understand that you may feel uneasy about claiming against your employer, however all employers must have employer’s liability insurance. This covers the costs of accidents at work. It is the insurance company who would pay the compensation, so your employer would not be directly out of pocket.

If you have had an accident at work, and your employer did not take precautions to keep you safe at work, then you may be able to make a compensation claim.

How we Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with people who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes common injuries at work. So contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Footpath Accidents Waiting to Happen on Country Lane According to Locals

Posted on by Jonathon

A Hornsea man says he was forced to walk on a “dangerous” part of the A1035 because the condition of the footpath was a “disgrace”. He said footpath accidents are waiting to happen due to the condition of the path, saying that some of it was underwater, and the rest was not any better.

“It’s a disgrace, had to take to walking on a dangerous part of the road. As footpath was underwater. The rest of the path isn’t any better, almost completely overgrown in parts.”

He said, across the East Riding, the council is responsible for 1,900km of paths and he he has raised the issue with the council in the past.

“I have reported it in the past, nothing came of it. That path is also part of the Hornsea Mere circular walk, meant to be one of the jewels in the crown for Hornsea.

“The road is the A1035, the main road into Hornsea from Beverley, so a busy stretch. So walking or cycling is rather risky due to the bends.

“Maybe if they [the council] were that concerned they should get one of their footpath officers to walk the path.”

A spokesman for East Riding Council said: “The council will investigate this section of footpath for defects and we have asked for the grass to be cut.

“Across the East Riding, the council is responsible for 1,900km of paths and obviously there will be many areas that need work. But our officers need to prioritise that work given the available budgets, which are under intense pressure.

“Our officers will continue their efforts to secure additional funding to upgrade the path from external sources.”

footpath accidents

Footpath Accidents

One of the most common types of public accident that we deal with are footpath accidents. Footpath accidents can happen due to potholes in the path or road, raised paving slabs, and more.

The Highways Act 1980 states that local authorities are responsible for keeping all roads and footpaths safe to use. This means a council has a legal duty to repair any damage that occurs to surfaces. They must do this by making repairs within six months of being notified of the risk. If a local council does not do this and someone has an accident, then they may be liable.

Proving Footpath Accidents

When you have a footpath accident, you may be wondering how you can prove that the accident was the fault of the council. The main thing you can do to prove your accident was due to a defect in the footpath is to take photos of the path. To make a personal injury claim, a defect on a footpath must be at least one inch deep or raised. This differs to defects on a road, which must be at least two inches deep and 12 inches wide.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes footpath accidents. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Legs Matter Week and Leg Injury

Posted on by Jonathon

This week is legs matter week. Legs matter week is run by the organisation Legs Matter, and it aims to help people to take charge of their leg and foot health and start feeling their best again. This is especially important after a leg injury.

Leg Injury

When it comes to leg injuries, there are many different types, of varying severity. Any kind of leg injury can negatively impact your daily life, no matter how serious. You may find that you are in pain, unable to walk or struggling to perform your usual activities.

If the incident that caused the injury wasn’t your fault, you may be able to make a leg injury claim. Two of the most common leg injuries are strains and sprains, and fractures.

leg injury

Strains or Sprains

A strain occurs when the muscle or tendons (tissue that connects the bone to the muscle) become overstretched or tear. A sprain on the other hand is when the ligament (tissue that connects bones to other bones) is stretched or torn.

Sprains typically occur in the ankle, but are also common in the knee, whereas strains are more likely to occur in the hamstring. If you suffer a strain or sprain in your leg, you may not be able to walk or perform your normal activities properly for a few weeks.

More severe sprains and strains can take months to heal, and surgery may even be required. This can, therefore, affect your ability to earn, and have a negative impact on your day-to-day life.

Fractures

There are many different types of fractures, some of which can take up to 6 months to heal and may require surgery. This can affect your ability to walk, drive, travel and more.

Even arguably the least severe type of fracture, a stress fracture, can affect your ability to perform your usual duties. They occur when stress is repeatedly placed on the bone causing a small crack to appear. This can cause discomfort and pain to the sufferer.

At the other end of the spectrum is a compound fracture. If you suffer a compound fracture in your leg, you are likely to require surgery and it will take a considerable amount of time to heal. Compound fractures occur when a large force strikes the bone causing it to shatter into multiple pieces, and bones may also protrude through the skin.

Causes of Leg Injury

There are several causes of leg injury. Some of these include:

  • Accidents at work
  • Falling from height
  • Being struck by a falling object
  • Slips, trips, and falls
  • Road traffic accidents

If you have experienced an accident that causes a leg injury and it was due to someone else, then you may be able to make a claim for leg injury compensation.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes claims relating to leg injury. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Public Accidents on Farms: Mum’s Heartbreak after Toddler Dies in Accident

Posted on by Jonathon

According to recent reports, a toddler has died following an accident on a farm. Public accidents on farms can be as common as workers accidents, and because of this, they can have devastating results.

The three-year-old was hit by a pick-up vehicle as he was playing with his sister and cousin at a farm at Rhosfach, Efailwen on August 3. Police and the Health and Safety Executive are still investigating what happened in the incident that saw the toddler lose his life, but his mother knows enough to say her son, who was playing on his bike, was killed almost instantaneously in the collision. She immediately rushed back to the farm but was not allowed into the farmyard to see her son while police carried out their investigations.

Public Accidents on Farms

As well as the staff at a farm, members of the public can also have farming injuries. The most common type of farming accidents that visitors experience include slips, trips, and falls, and collisions with vehicles. The owners of the farm have a responsibility to keep the public safe from accidents as well as their staff.

public accidents on farms

Occupier’s Liability Accidents

The types of accidents that generally come under occupier’s liability accidents include accidents in places where the public visits but are not owned by the council. Owners of properties must take steps to help ensure that people do not have accidents on their premises.

There are many causes of accidents that fall under occupier’s liability. Some of these include:

  • Slipping on wet surfaces
  • Tripping over uneven floors
  • Being struck by a falling object

These causes of accidents are easy to avoid. The owner of the premises should ensure that they put measures in place to avoid accidents like this from happening. They must ensure they follow rules set out in the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 to minimise the risk of accidents happening. If they fail to do this then they may be liable if someone has an accident on their premises.

Children’s Accidents

Some of the more common occupier’s liability accidents involve children. If children are visiting a place that falls under occupier’s liability, then the owner must take extra care to minimise the risk of children having accidents. This is because children tend to be less careful than adults whilst out in public.

If your child has had an accident is a public or private place, then you may be able to claim on their behalf. If your child is under 18, then a parent or guardian may make a claim for them. Their parent or guardian also has until the child turns 18 to make a claim. If the child is over 18 then they have until they are 21 to make a claim themselves.

How We Can Help with Public Accidents on Farms

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes public accidents on farms. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Back Care Awareness Week and Back Injury at Work

Posted on by Jonathon

This week is back care awareness week. This year, the main focus of the week, which is run by the organisation Back Care, is focusing on back care at home. They do, however, state that they will also place some focus on back injury at work.

Types of Back Injury at Work

Back injury at work can occur from doing something you’ve done countless times before or completely out of the blue. Types of back injury include:

  • Fractures and breaks
  • Disc injuries
  • Back strains or sprains
  • Ligament and tendon damage
  • Nerve damage
  • Spinal cord damage
  • Lower back injuries

 Causes of Back Injury

There are also various causes of back injury. A number of these include back injury at work. However, there are also other causes. These include:

  • Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI). This can lead from inadequate training or poor health and safety procedures which have allowed you to continue a dangerous way of doing something, or from having equipment or furniture which positioned incorrectly to suit your needs, causing you to overcompensate physically.
  • Lifting something heavy, especially at work. Your employer has a legal duty to ensure that you know the correct procedure for lifting objects and that you have the proper equipment if required.
  • Tripping or falling in a public place. Anyone who has slipped on wet floor and landed awkwardly on their coccyx can tell you how painful an injury it can be.
  • A road traffic accident (RTA)which leaves you with spinal or muscular damage in your back.
  • Falling from a ladder, scaffolding, or platform which has not been secured correctly at work.
back injury at work

Preventing Back Injury at Work

Back injury at work can be common in many workplaces; after all, there are a lot of workplaces in which jobs require lifting. Ensuring you lift correctly can be key to not injuring your back at work. All staff members should be trained on how to lift correctly. This includes full-time, part-time, temporary and agency staff.

Employers should ensure that all their staff have had the correct and adequate training to lift and carry heavy loads. According to the Health and Safety Executive, employers must:

  • Avoid work activities that can cause back pain, where reasonably practicable
  • Where the activity can’t be avoided, assess it to see what they can do to reduce the risk of back pain
  • Apply the control measures they have identified and monitor and review them to make sure they are working
  • Consult their workers and, if they have health and safety concerns, do something about them

If your employer fails to do these things, then you may be able to make a claim for a back injury at work.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes back injuries. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Health and Safety Executive Cracks Down on Industrial Diseases Caused by Dust

Posted on by Jonathon

Starting today (4th October), Health and Safety Executive inspectors across Great Britain will be targeting construction firms to check that their health standards are up to scratch. The focus will be on respiratory risks and occupational lung diseases. This will hopefully crack down on industrial diseases caused by dust.

The inspection initiative will be a month-long effort. It will look at the control measures businesses have in place to protect their workers from construction dust including silica, asbestos and wood dust. This is part of HSE’s longer term health and work strategy to improve health within the construction industry. 

While the primary focus will be on health during this programme of inspections, if an inspector identifies any other areas of concern, including immediate safety risks, they will take the necessary action to deal with them.  

Inspectors will be looking for evidence of employers and workers knowing the risks, planning their work and using the right controls. If necessary, they will also use enforcement to make sure people are protected. 

More than 3,500 builders die each year from cancers related to their work, with thousands more cases of ill-health and working days lost. 

HSE’s chief inspector of construction, Sarah Jardine, said: “Around 100 times as many workers die from diseases caused or made worse by their work than are actually killed in construction accidents. 

“Our inspection initiatives ensure that inspectors are able to speak to duty holders and visit sites to look at the kind of action businesses in the construction industry are taking right now to protect their workers’ health, particularly when it comes to exposure to dust and damage to lungs. These are mature health challenges that the industry ought to be managing effectively.”

industrial diseases caused by dust

Industrial Diseases Caused by Dust

There are several industrial diseases caused by dust that we deal with here at The Compensation Experts. These include Asbestosis, Asbestos-Induced Lung Cancer, Mesothelioma, and Occupational Asthma.

Asbestosis and Asbestos-Induced Lung Cancer

Asbestosis is a disease where the lung tissue hardens. Prolonged and heavy exposure to asbestos dust can cause the disease. Asbestosis is a slowly progressive disease; it usually takes between 15 and 30 years to develop, after initial exposure to asbestos.

Exposure to asbestos also has a strong link with lung cancer.

Mesothelioma

Usually linked to exposure to asbestos fibres, mesothelioma is an aggressive form of cancer that develops in the lining that covers the outer surface of some of the body’s organs. There are more than 2,600 diagnoses each year in the UK; most cases occur in people aged 60 to 80, and it affects men more commonly than women.

Unfortunately, it’s rarely possible to cure mesothelioma, although treatment can help control the symptoms.

Occupational Asthma

Asthma is more than just a condition that develops in childhood. Asthma UK estimates up to 15% of the new diagnosis of asthma in adults is occupational asthma. Susceptible employees include wood dust workers (bakers and cabinet makers), animal and agriculture workers, hairdressers, and people who work with metals or solder flux.

How We Can Help with Industrial Diseases Caused by Dust

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with industrial disease claims. This includes industrial diseases caused by dust. So contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Similarities vs Differences of Unit Trusts and Open-Ended Investment Companies

Posted on by Jonathon

Are you looking to invest your money into an investment fund? Here is everything you need to know about unit trusts vs investment trusts, and the difference between a unit trust and an OEIC.

OEIC vs unit trusts: what’s the difference?

When looking to invest your money in funds, you want to be sure that you’re placing it in a fund that is both secure and reliable. The last thing you want to happen is to be mis-sold investment funds.

If you’re looking to invest your money into funds, the two of the most common types of investment funds are known as unit trusts and open-ended investment companies (OEICs). Both these funds share a variety of traits, but they also have some important differences.

There is also a third type of commonly used trust known as an investment trust that you may want to consider if a unit trust or OEIC doesn’t appeal to you.

What are OEICs and unit trusts?

At first glance, there appears to be little difference between OEICs and unit trusts.

Rather than being an individual fund, both OEICs and unit trusts are what’s known as mutual funds. A mutual fund contains money from multiple different investors and is managed by someone known as a fund manager.

The fund manager takes the invested money and uses it to create a portfolio of investments and assets by investing in bonds or shares from a variety of businesses on the stock market. The total value of these investments is then divided into units, hence the name unit trust, each one being given to one of the fund’s investors. Investors can then exit the fund at any time by selling their unit.

What is an investment trust?

Unlike an OEIC or unit trust, an investment trust is a company that operates as a closed-ended investment fund. While OEICs are fluid in the size of their funds and investments, investment trusts hold a fixed number of shares and will typically retain the same value between the investors when an investor withdraws from the fund.

Investment trusts are seen as longer term investments that require time to fully reap the benefits, being more suited to static investments rather than things such as bonds.

When it comes to the difference between a unit trust and investment trust, if you want an investment you can reach and withdraw easily, a unit trust should be your pick.

OEIC vs unit trusts: similarities

Due to the effectiveness of both open-ended companies and unit trusts as potential investment opportunities, both types of funds have proved to be increasingly popular in recent years.

A large reason for this, and one of the core similarities between the two, is the fact that they can offer a practical and affordable way for clients to diversify their fund portfolio. With shares spread across numerous different asset classes, all managed by a separate individual, there is no pressure to make routine calls on individual stocks and shares to check and monitor their value.

This is particularly true if investors do not have the expertise required to manage stocks and shares professionally. Allowing another individual to handle the buying of units or shares can also provide a much wider spread of investment than an investor could have otherwise achieved with the same amount of money on their own.

In many other respects, unit trusts and open-ended investment companies are the same types of funds. Despite the name difference, they’re both open-ended, and the price of each unit they provide is also dependent on the net asset value of the fund’s overall investment portfolio.

With open-ended investment companies and unit trusts, you can also generally choose to have dividends paid directly to you as income or have it reinvested in the fund if it’s performing well to increase future dividends.

On top of this, both fund vehicles can invest in a wide range of asset classes, geographies, and sectors. The collective nature of unit trusts and OEICs means that the invested money contributed by the number of investors can be pooled together for investment in the stock market. 

So, with so many similar aspects between them, you might be wondering why there’s a debate between investing in an OEIC vs unit trust to begin with.

Well, while both fund types might have a lot in common, both also have some pretty major differences.

The difference between unit trusts and OEICs

Without a doubt, when deciding between a unit trust vs OEIC, the main factor that will likely influence your choice will be the pricing of your chosen fund.

Unit trusts have what’s known as an offer price, a price at which an investor can buy into them. But on top of this, they also have what’s known as a bid price. This bid price is the price at which an investor can then sell their unit.

OEICs, on the other hand, have a single price for everything. This often makes OEICs more stable to invest in than unit trusts, as the price gap between a unit trust’s offer and bid cost is typically a 6-7% difference. Charges for an OEIC are simply deducted from the total amount invested.

Essentially, unit trusts come with added cost weight that should be taken into account when deciding between an OEIC vs unit trust.

Investment in a unit trust also involves buying a proportion of the total fund, the unit you are given when you invest in the fund, while an OEIC involves buying an actual share in the investment company. This makes it much clearer as to what you’re investing in when you opt for an OEIC vs unit trusts.

A final, subtle difference between the two is that trust law governs a unit trust, whereas company law governs an OEIC. This means there will be a variety of regulations you’ll need to consider when deciding on which fund to invest in.

Deciding on whether to invest in an investment trust or a unit trust vs OEIC

Now that you know the similarities and differences between an OEIC, unit trust, and investment trust, it’ll be up to you to decide which is more suitable for your needs.

OEICS have substantially increased in popularity in recent years due to their simplified structure, and many unit trusts have converted into OEICS as a result. That being said, unit trusts are still a popular choice. And if you want a long-term investment option, you might want to consider an investment trust.

Regardless of whatever type of fund or trust you’re interested in, it’s a good idea to do your research into investment funds and asset classes so you know what you’re investing into. And if you’re ever unsure about the legality surrounding any type of trust or fund, it’s always a wise idea to approach a qualified solicitor for advice.

Of course, when investing in any type of fund, there is always the risk that you may be mis-sold the investment. Whether it’s mis-sold investment bonds or a stocks and shares ISA, if you believe you’ve been misled on a financial fund investment, you might be able to make a mis-sold investment claim.

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience with financial miss-selling claims. They’ll be able to help you tell the difference between OEIC vs unit trusts, as well as walk you through the claims process if you want to make one.