|
5
Sept 2001
Launch
of Advice Service for Families Bereaved as a result
of a Work-related Death
| DATE |
Wednesday,
12th September 2001 |
| TIME |
6.30
– 8.30 p.m |
| PLACE |
Gallery
Café, Westland Place, London N1 |
| Launched
by |
Anthony
Scrivener Q.C. |
The
Centre for Corporate Accountability is today formally
launching its "Work-Related Death Advice Service"
which will provide comprehensive advice and assistance
to families bereaved as a result of a work-related
death on issues investigation and prosecution issues
that arise out of the death.
The Advice Service will provide free, independent
and confidential advice to families on how to ensure
that their relative’s death is adequately investigated
and the evidence collected during the investigation
is properly scrutinised by the prosecuting authorities.
This is the first time that such an advice service
has been established. David Bergman, Director of the
CCA stated that:
"When
someone is killed in a work-related incident, family
and friends need to feel confident that the death
is being investigated properly and the evidence
collected adequately scrutinised by the prosecution
bodies."
"Families want to the know that the Police,
the Health and Safety Executive, the Crown Prosecution
Service and Coroners are fulfilling their investigative
and prosecution responsibilities.
The
Centre will advise families on what these are and
how they can ensure that these organisations act
in an appropriate manner."
The
Work-Related Death Advice Service will offer advice
on;
| • |
The
roles of the different agencies which investigate
work–related deaths and determine whether
or not criminal offences have been committed; |
| • |
How
health and safety laws and the offence of manslaughter
apply to companies, organisations and individuals; |
| • |
Whether
or not the investigation that has been carried
out into their relative’s death is adequate
and whether any decisions regarding prosecution
are soundly based; |
| • |
The
role of the inquest and how families can help
ensure that the inquiry undertaken by the coroner
is adequate. |
The
Service will offer advice in relation to deaths that
are the result of the activities of both private companies
and public bodies, such as local schools or hospitals.
The Centre will not provide any advice on issues relating
to compensation.
This is a formal launch of our Advice Service. However,
the Centre has been providing assistance to families
on these issues for a number of years.
To
read more about the Centre's Advice Service, click
here
|
