12 May 2008 Press Release: Accident victims return to work early

Accident victims risk health to return to work over money fears.

Rising food prices and credit crunch adding to pressures, warns NAH

Accident victims are returning to work before they are fully recovered because they are scared taking time off could plunge them into debt.

Rather than concentrating on recuperation, more than half of people injured in an accident will cut short their rehabilitation because they can’t afford to lose wages, according to a survey by National Accident Helpline.

As the cost of essentials like bread, milk and petrol soar, 55 per cent of respondents are so worried they will struggle to make ends meet that they will go back to work early – despite fearing it could damage their health.

Even more – 67 per cent – admit that since their accident their finances have come under increased pressure, exacerbated by the ongoing effects of the ‘credit crunch’.

National Accident Helpline Legal Director John Campbell said: “It is worrying that people are potentially putting their health at risk because they are bearing the brunt of financial pressures for which they aren’t responsible.

“We would advise anyone who is the victim of an accident and finds themselves in this position to explore the options open to them.

“They could find that they are entitled to make some form of compensation claim, which would ease their financial worries and allow them to concentrate on the most important thing – getting better.”