Prosecutions for serious accidents at work in Scotland have almost doubled in just 12 months, according to newly released statistics from the Crown Office.
According to the figures, there were 72 accident at work cases prosecuted in the courts, with 97% of these resulting in a conviction.
The 2014-2015 figures underline the fact that any employer who neglects health and safety risks being found liable for negligence. Furthermore, with a near perfect prosecution rate, the figures demonstrate the Crown Office's commitment to tackling the problem of lax health and safety in the Scottish workplace.
It is clearly good news that occupational health and safety is being made a priority, something which should send shivers down the spines of any employers not prepared to fulfil the duty of care they owe employees.
Some of the cases dealt with by the Crown Office include prosecutions relating to health and safety failures leading to falls from height, health and safety failures in the fishing industry, and a fatality in the property industry.
However, there have so far been no prosecutions for corporate manslaughter in Scotland, but with new laws in force, unless all employers take precautionary action soon, it seems such a prosecution is inevitable.
If you have suffered personal injury in a workplace accident in Scotland and would like information and advice, including how you may be able to proceed with your accident at work claim under a no win no fee agreement, call our personal injury lawyers today on 0800 0891331.
