Last July the BBC published an article that stated that fraudulent liability claims, including slips and trips claims, had increased in number by 75%. Slips, trips and falls on level ground are amongst the most common causes of claim across all sectors. Health and Safety Executive research indicates that most of the injuries result in broken bones and at least a week off work. In 2012/13 there were 8,500 major injuries from slips and trips on the level. The HSE suggest that these incidents are costing employers &500 million a year. The Association of British Insurers believes that slip and trips account for 16% of insurance claims.
However conmen were caught making 350 fraudulent insurance claims a day last yet, attempting to net &1.32billion in compensation! The 130,000 bogus claims detected in a crackdown revealed a booming trade in fake ‘slip and trip’ claims, when fraudsters throw themselves to the ground and pretend they have suffered life-changing injuries. The Association of British Insurers said the &3.6million which crooks tried to claim every day is around double the sum lost from all forms of shoplifting.
Whilst a slip or trip incident may appear trivial, the claims that result can be considerable, so how can a business defend slip and trip claims?
- Have a system that allows you to demonstrate that a robust workplace inspection regime is in place and that slips and trips hazards are identified and remedied quickly.
- Ensure that workplace inspections focus on slip and trip hazards and carry them out on a regular e.g. weekly, basis.
- Train the person who carries out the inspection on what standard to accept.
- Train staff on slip and trip prevention and train cleaning staff on suitable cleaning techniques. Keep detailed records of these training sessions.
- Ensure that there are records made each time the cleaning process takes place.
- Get to the scene of an accident quickly, take photographs, take statements and keep a note of all persons who witnessed the slip or trip incident and also those colleagues of the claimant who were not working in the area at the time of the claim.
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