Strained workplace relationships Negative judgement Threats to job security Damage to professional reputation Workplace injury victims who did not approach a PI lawyer feared that claiming compensation would result in: PAGE 22 Victims fear negative repercussions Workplace injury victims fear that claiming compensation would endanger their livelihood. APIL-commissioned interviews with these victims found that these fears act as a powerful deterrent to approaching a PI lawyer. Even after talking to a lawyer, some victims drop their claim because of these fears. Lawyers have also seen these fears increase in recent years, with cost of living pressures and greater economic insecurity driving this. This is widening the justice gap faced by workplace injury victims even further. Quotes from lawyers who work with workplace injury victims In one case highlighted to APIL, an employer even offered money to the victim to dissuade them from making a claim. Despite reassurances, we have lost a number of potential cases because people feel they will lose their job if they claim Claimants are generally less likely to risk jeopardising their employment by bringing a claim Years of austerity have made employees more reluctant to rock the boat
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