Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Register
Log in
Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today

Latest NewsOccupational HealthWellbeing

UK compensation culture is a myth

by Nic Paton 22 Jan 2009
by Nic Paton 22 Jan 2009

The notion that the UK is rife with a health and safety-based compensation culture is false, with most people who are injured at work having only modest expectations of compensation, a leading law firm has argued.

Research by personal injury solicitors Hubbard Pegman & Whitney (HPW) has found most people stoically avoid seeking compensation for injuries, even for modest amounts, for fear they might be made redundant as ‘punishment’ by their employers.

The poll of nearly 2,000 adults conducted by YouGov found that, while more than nine out of 10 said they would expect some form of monetary compensation after an injury at work, most underestimated how much they would receive, even though awards are normally modest.

The typical compensation for an arm broken at work was in the region of £6,000, but around 44% of those polled said they would expect £2,000 or less, with six out of 10 putting the figure at under £5,000, and just 4% saying they would expect a bumper payout of more than £10,000.

Similarly, the typical compensation for a leg broken at work was £8,650, but nearly half of those polled said they would expect to get £5,000 or less, with only 12% expecting more than £10,000.

Only in respect of more serious injuries did people begin to expect large amounts of compensation, the firm said. The typical compensation, for example, for permanent loss of the use of both legs from an injury at work is at least £140,000 and often higher, but while one-fifth of those polled expected £100,000 or less, 42% said they would expect more than £200,000.

Charlotte Pegman, managing partner of HPW, said: “While large compensation awards for seemingly minor injuries and slights rightly attract hostile media attention, the reality is that awards for most workplace injuries – often nasty ones – are generally much more modest.”

Nic Paton
Nic Paton

Nic Paton is consulting editor of OHW+. One of the country's foremost workplace health journalists, Nic has written for OHW+ and Occupational Health & Wellbeing since 2001, and edited the magazine from 2018.

previous post
UK population still unaware of how to lead a healthy lifestyle
next post
HR managers blame training for poor delivery of additional tasks

You may also like

Law protecting frontline workers against violence takes effect

28 Jun 2022

Postal workers and doctors threaten strikes over pay

28 Jun 2022

Heathrow-based cabin crew set for 18% pay rise

28 Jun 2022

Attracting diverse young talent to the ‘secret’ world...

28 Jun 2022

Home working enabled more with arthritis to stay...

28 Jun 2022

Third expect no access to mental health support...

28 Jun 2022

Four-day week: what are the legal considerations for...

28 Jun 2022

Hire quality vs speed: Finding the perfect balance...

28 Jun 2022

Gender pay gap ‘won’t close until 2151’

27 Jun 2022

Third of employees living ‘payday to payday’

27 Jun 2022

  • NSPCC revamps its learning strategy with child wellbeing at its heart PROMOTED | The NSPCC’s mission is to prevent abuse and neglect...Read more
  • Diversity versus inclusion: Why the difference matters PROMOTED | It’s possible for an environment to be diverse, but not inclusive...Read more
  • Five steps for organisations across the globe to become more skills-driven PROMOTED | The shift in the world of work has been felt across the globe...Read more
  • The future of workforce development PROMOTED | Northumbria University and partners share insight...Read more
  • Strathclyde Business School expands its Degree Apprenticeship offer in England PROMOTED | The University of Strathclyde is expanding its programmes...Read more
  • The Search for Talent: Six Major Employer Pitfalls PROMOTED | The Great Resignation continues unabated...Read more
  • Navigating the widening “Skills Confidence Gap” in 2022, and beyond PROMOTED | Cornerstone OnDemand conducted a global study...Read more
  • Apprenticeships are the solution to your recruitment problems PROMOTED | Apprenticeships have the pulling power...Read more

PERSONNEL TODAY

About us
Contact us
Browse all HR topics
Email newsletters
Content feeds
Cookies policy
Privacy policy
Terms and conditions

JOBS

Personnel Today Jobs
Post a job
Why advertise with us?

EVENTS & PRODUCTS

The Personnel Today Awards
The RAD Awards
Employee Benefits
Forum for Expatriate Management
OHW+
Whatmedia

ADVERTISING & PR

Advertising opportunities
Features list 2022

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Linkedin


© 2011 - 2022 DVV Media International Ltd

Personnel Today
  • OHW+
  • Join
  • Resources
    • Clinical governance
    • Disability
    • Ergonomics
    • Health surveillance
    • OH employment law
    • OH service delivery
    • Research
    • Return to work and rehabilitation
    • Sickness absence management
    • Wellbeing and health promotion
  • Conditions
    • Mental health
    • Musculoskeletal disorders
    • Blood pressure
    • Cancer
    • Cardiac
    • Dementia
    • Diabetes
    • Respiratory
    • Stroke
  • CPD
  • Webinars
  • OHW Awards
  • Jobs
  • Personnel Today