Research Flags Regional Variations In ‘Accidental’ Injury Deaths

Further investigation is needed after a new report raised concerns of regional variations in relation to the number of people who die from so-called ‘accidental’ injuries across England, lawyers at Irwin Mitchell have urged.

New data compiled on behalf of the Public Health Observatories in England revealed that around 11,000 people a year die from injuries related to falls, road accidents or other incidents such as falls from height.

However it was also found that mortality rates and hospital admissions varied from region to region, with Melton in Leicestershire having the highest rate of accidental deaths in the country.

The South West Public Health Observatory, which helped to produce the data, warned that as such cases of injury do not make headlines, they are often treated as a ‘hidden’ issue.

Irwin Mitchell acts for victims who have suffered serious injury in a variety of environments, including those injured in falls from height and others hurt in major road traffic accidents.

David Urpeth, a Partner and expert in such personal injury cases, said: “This research clearly raises significant concerns, not only over the number of accidents occurring but the regional variances as well as the support that victims are receiving following such incidents.

“The organisation behind this research rightly highlights that so many of the incidents which lead people to suffer these very serious injuries are often preventable. Time and time again we see the same circumstances emerge in the cases we are involved in, where simple safety failings have gone to have a devastating impact or risks have not been properly assessed.

“There is a clear need for local authorities, employers and other organisations to recognise the importance that safety plays in public places and beyond. Action on this issue could prove vital in driving down the worrying trends flagged in this report.”

"We need to also understand why some areas appear to suffer many more incidents than others."