The following details have been supplied by the TUC:

TUC dismay as Government hits injured workers with legal costs

The TUC has criticised government plans to stop injured workers from reclaiming their legal costs in compensation cases against negligent employers worth under £2,000.

The union body warns that the Ministry of Justice proposals, included in its Prisons and Courts Bill, will force many workers, including those on low incomes, to pay for legal advice when seeking compensation for workplace injuries or work-related ill-health. These new rules will apply even when the harm suffered is proven to be the result of negligence by their employer.

TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said: “People injured at work because of their employer’s negligence shouldn’t have to pay their own legal costs. This will stop many low-paid and vulnerable workers from bringing claims. These plans are dangerous and will encourage bad bosses to cut corners with health and safety.” She added: “My advice to workers is to join a union. There are 50 per cent fewer accidents at unionised workplaces.”

The Government stepped back from an earlier proposal which would have seen all work-related claims under £5,000 included in the small claims procedure where legal costs would not have been available. This would have made over 95 per cent of work-related injury or illness claims ineligible for legal costs