Postal worker receives personal injury compensation for accident at work

What follows comes courtesy of Simpson Millar's Law Update.
Dated: 27/03/2012 Key Contact: Gary Tierney
We recently acted on behalf of a Surrey based delivery post person who suffered an ankle injury whilst carrying out their work duties in February 2010.

At around midday our client was delivering mail to a home when he slipped and fell due to a large amount of green algae that was on the front step.



A Royal Mail Manager was sent out to investigate the accident at work and witnessed the green algae which was located on the step at the scene of the accident. The Manager investigated the accident and photographs were taken. The Defendant insurers initially denied liability however after providing them with photographic evidence liability was then admitted.

Our client sustained a fracture of the lateral malleolus of the left ankle and was initially treated by being placed in plaster and then an air cast brace for 6 weeks during which he required crutches.

He was examined by a medical expert in August 2011 where the expert confirmed recovery had taken place 12 months following the accident. Damages were agreed in the total sum of £9,083.84. This personal injury compensation award included loss of earnings.

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East London Employment Tribunal news

Thanks to Daniel Barnett for supplying the following. Subscribe to his Employment Law mailing list here http://www.danielbarnett.co.uk/employment_law.php 

For those practitioners with cases due to be heard at London (East) Tribunal in the next couple of weeks, be aware you may experience difficulties.

The tribunal is sending out letters postponing hearings on the basis that it has "reached the full extent of the budget allocation for this financial year and, as a result, there is no remaining judicial resource available to hear your case."

I have made enquiries as to whether this affects all cases being heard before the end of the year, or just some of them. A listing officer at London (East) told me the position was unclear (and I was unable to speak with the Head of Listing), and he said the 'end of the year' referred to 5th April 2012.

The Tribunals Service Press Office told me that the position was "under review" and it was "possible additional funds would be allocated".

It may be that the lack of funds means London (East) cannot use fee-paid (part-time) judges, but the salaried (full-time) judges are still sitting. London (East) is generally quite reliant on fee-paid judges. Whilst this situation is obviously undesirable, congratulations to London (East) for grappling with the problem and notifying parties. It would be far worse to turn up on the day to find there was no judge available.

Daniel Barnett

Meet me on the Millenium Bridge

Tomorrow March 8th is International Womens Day. Join CWU women on the Millenium Birdge, London to celebrate at 10.30a.m.

  The southern end of the bridge is near the Globe Theatre and Tate Modern. The north end is next to the City of London School and St Paul's Cathedral. The nearest Tube station is Mansion House.
  See you all there.

More women on boards - EU to legislate

The European Parliament is calling for EU-wide legislation which would require the boards of listed companies to consist of at least 40% female members by 2020. Why?
Only about 10% of directors are female in the large listed companies in the EU.despite women’s high participation in the workforce as well as attainment of both undergraduate as well as advanced degrees.

Read more here http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/regions/europe/120304/women-boards-boardrooms-europe-european-union-reding

Celebrate International Women's Day

It's International Women's Day next Thursday March 8th. There's loads of events going on to celebrate. Find out what's happening near you and join in http://www.internationalwomensday.com/theme.asp

Santander pay deal accepted

91 per cent support Santander UK pay deal

1st March 2012

CWU members in Santander UK have voted by 91 per cent to endorse a pay deal worth 2.7 per cent for successful performers at the mid-point of the pay ranges, with the lower paid in each grade receiving higher increases.
  Under the terms of the agreement members will receive pay increases from 1st March of between 0 per cent and 3.8 per cent dependent on performance and position in the pay ranges. Allowances will rise 2.5 per cent. Due to the structure of the deal the lower paid will receive higher increases and pay rises will be underpinned by minimum increases of between £200 and£400.
  The deal also includes arrangements to simplify the national pay ranges which uplifts 90 per cent of pay scales, and gives those on protected rights increases of 2 per cent plus a cash payment.

Commenting on the result, CWU assistant secretaryNigel Cotgrove said: "Given the difficult climate in the banking sector the deal was the best that could be achieved through negotiation, and is better than those at the other main UK Banks. I am pleased that our members have endorsed the agreement overwhelmingly."
  The CWU represents staff in retail, commercial, corporate, customer service and support roles in Santander UK. CWU members voted by more than 9 to 1 in favour of the pay offer in a consultative ballot which closed on Friday 24 February 2012.