A Department for Transport report indicates that work related driving causes over a quarter of all road deaths. Their figures show that 26% of deaths on Britain’s roads last year (ie 858 out of a total of 3,172) involved drivers who were “at work”.

Road Safety Minister, Stephen Ladyman, said:

“I used to drive for work myself and I know the pressures. Tough deadlines can push you over the speed limit, and distractions like the boss calling you on your mobile can take your attention off the road.”

The Police are also getting tough on incidents on the roads that are a type of work accident by holding employers responsible if, for example, their employees who are required to drive as part of their job do not have insurance or a valid driving license, or if the company vehicle that they drive does not have an up to date MOT certificate.

The NHS has identified another drain on resources caused by a 43% rise in the number of people being treated for dog bites.

According to NHS statistics numbers have risen to almost 3,800 victims a year. Dog bites are usually suffered by children; however there has been a 58% rise in attacks on adults, compared with only a 20% rise in attacks on children. There are also regional variations and London comes out worst with a 119% increase in hospital admissions for dog attacks on those under 18 years of age.

Personal injury claim solicitors have also noticed a rise in victims of such attacks seeking legal advice about possible injury compensation. Enquiries come not only from the general public, but also from specific work groups, in particular those in the postal industry.

The House of Lords has ruled that an employer is responsible for the suicide of an employee after an accident at work, because his depression was caused by the injuries he sustained in the accident.

The House of Lords told the widow of deceased worker, Thomas Corr, that she should receive personal injury compensation from the employer because the suicide was a consequence of an industrial accident.

Mr Corr threw himself from a multi-storey car park in May 2002 after an accident at work in which he was hit on the head by a metal panel, which had left him with severe headaches, unsteadiness and trouble sleeping.

Five Law Lords upheld an earlier Court of Appeal decision that the employer, IBC Vehicles, was liable. The company previously admitted responsibility for the work accident, but denied that its liability covered the depression related suicide.