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Shopping has become part of our everyday lifestyle.  Times have changed since the shops specialised in a particular product or item. These days most of our shopping is done at our local supermarket, which is probably at the end of the high street.

All supermarkets employees should be trained to a certain standard to ensure that the shop floors are kept clean and tidy, and the shelves are stocked up regularly with products for us to purchase.  Ultimately it is the responsibility of the employer and the employees to make sure that the premises are safe for customers and staff alike.

Unfortunately, this is not always the case, and accidents occur from time to time when they could not have been prevented.
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Supermarkets have become our corner shop but on a much larger scale. Employees are constantly re-stacking the shelves with goods of all types and re-arranging the displays to tempt us to indulge ourselves.  But as appealing that these goods are to us, they can also be the cause of accidents and nasty injuries.

From time to time bottles and jars will be stacked incorrectly or picked up and replaced in an unsafe position upon the shelf, which leads to breakages and spillages.  When staff are taking out new stock, paper and off cuts of fresh fruit and vegetables may fall to the floor.  This can be a serious safety hazard.

While customers are on the premises of the supermarkets, either inside the building or the car park, it is the responsibility of the supermarket to ensure their safety.
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The weather in the first week of October was actually better than the summer season in its entirety in my opinion; but unfortunately, the British summertime ends officially at the end of this month.

The nights are rapidly drawing in and there is a chill in the air.  To make matters worse, the rumours that we will experience arctic weather conditions and snow falls before the month is out have already started.

For those of us who use our vehicles regularly, we should already be prepared for the inconvenience of the bad weather; but if you are a new driver you may want to start thinking about how you will cope with this.
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With the winter months almost upon us, we can still see the damage that last winter did to our roads and pavements.  On our daily journeys to and from home, it sometimes feels as if we are driving on an obstacle course, weaving around the holes in the ground, trying to avoid damage to our vehicles.

There is not just the issue of what damage a poorly maintained road can do to our vehicles, but there is also the issue of public safety.  A pothole can be a tripping hazard to pedestrians.  Motorbikes, mopeds and bicycles are extremely vulnerable to these defects of the road.  Any incidents involving these types of highway users could be catastrophic.

It is the duty of the Councils to keep our highways as safe as possible by carrying out regular inspections and maintenance checks. So – when are the counsels going to fix the holes properly and not just lay a bit of tar to cover the hole to get us through the next couple of months?
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Many of us lift things within the work place without even thinking about the consequences – this may result in injuries such as repetitive strains on our bodies.

In the rules there is no specific maximum weight that a person can lift at work.  This makes sense as we are all different individuals and the levels that we can push ourselves to vary from person to person.

Ergonomics is described as ‘fitting the job to the person and not the person to the job’.
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If you have been injured in an accident that was not your fault, whether it be a road traffic accident, slip and trip, or an accident at work ( to name but a few), you can work out how much compensation you may be awarded for your injuries by using the compensation calculator.

The independent ‘Injury Lawyers’ calculator is there for you to use free of charge.  Key in the details of your injury and let the calculator work out a rough guideline amount of compensation for you.  The calculator is purely for working out compensation for your injuries based on the JSB (Judicial Studies Board) Guidelines, which are referred to as General Damages. 

In addition to this you may be entitled to further compensation for any losses that you have incurred as a result of the accident; Time taken off work, any future time off work, and damage to material goods that will require replacing.  These losses are referred to as Special Damages and will be in addition to the compensation calculated by the compensation calculator.
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10 People died today, and 100 more people suffered brain damage, loss of limbs or paralysis.

In fact, this happens every day on Britain’s roads. These are the cold statistics; but behind the facts for every person killed or injured on the road, there are friends and families whose lives are shattered by such an unexpected and horrifying event.

You may – perhaps rightly – think you are a good driver, and deaths and injuries are everybody else’s problem or fault. But every day normal people like us take risks, make mistakes, and end up causing loss of life. (Source: Green Flag)
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Injured in a road traffic accident whilst a passenger in a taxi?

Have you been involved in a road traffic accident whilst travelling as a passenger in a taxi, and as a result of this sustained injury and/or incurred losses, you are not sure of your rights, or you are contemplating submitting a claim but do not know the process?

As a passenger you are seen to be an innocent party as you are not the driver of the vehicle and you are likely not at fault. You are entitled to submit a claim for compensation up to three years from the date of the accident whether it was the taxi driver at fault or another driver involved.
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When we refer to an accident at work, most people think only of a severe incident which has resulted in broken bones or worse – but accidents do not have to be as major as this and can also be psychological as well as physical.  If you have had an injury at work, it should be reported to a manager or senior within the company as soon as possible.

It is the responsibility of your employer to ensure that all staff know the health and safety rules within the workplace, and what the procedure is in the event that an accident occurs.

There should be a qualified first aider within the work place who attends to the injury, and unless the business is a very small concern, there should also be an accident book where all injuries occurring within the work place are recorded.  Employers are also responsible for reporting certain accidents/injuries to the Health & Safety Officer, and you as the employee have the right to receive sick pay if you are entitled to it.
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Asbestos is a group of long fibre minerals that were used in many buildings in the 20^th century. It is often used in ceiling tiles and was even used in brake pads. It has been illegal to use in the UK since 1999 and is now illegal in EU member states. However, it still exists in many buildings throughout the UK, so care needs to be taken; particularly for builders working in buildings with asbestos.

When the asbestos is undamaged it apparently poses no risk to your health. However, even the slightest damage, such as a chip, can cause it to start releasing dust particles. These dust fibres can then be breathed in by everyone in the building. It is this dust that carries many health risks as it works its way into your lungs and causes potentially serious damage.
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