First UK company convicted under Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act
March 02, 2011
A company has become the first to be prosecuted under a new Act designed to create the offence of corporate manslaughter. An employee of Cotswold Geotechnical Holding (Cotswold) died following an incident which could lead to his family claiming work accident compensation as a result of his death. The company were also fined £385,000 after their employee died whilst investigating soil conditions in an unsupported trench which then collapsed on him. This could be an interesting development for those wishing to make a work accident claim. If companies face criminal sanctions and potentially substantial fines (the Sentencing Guidelines Council said that larger companies convicted of this offence could face fines well in excess of £385,000), then hopefully it will lead to better safety for employees and less need for them to make an accident at work claim.