GOVERNMENT BLOCKS CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION

RMT helpline 0800 376 3706 :: november/december 2012 :: RMTnews 15 A n RMT train driver who suffered such severe psychological injuries when her train killed a suicide victim that she has been unable to return to work has received compensation from the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA) scheme. But under government cuts to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) passed by Parliament in November, train drivers will no longer be able to claim for the trauma caused by witnessing a suicide. RMT member Karen Jordan from Barnet had been driving trains for 10 years before the accident in February 2008. This was the second time that her train had impacted with a suicide victim and she suffered from flashbacks and nightmares and was eventually medically retired. RMT made a claim on her behalf to the CICS, the government fund which compensates victims of violent crimes. Railway workers can currently claim compensation for the trauma of seeing someone commit suicide in front of them, and the horror of the aftermath. The awards are allocated on a tariff basis and Mrs Jordan was awarded compensation. “I know first-hand how traumatic these types of incidents are and believe they should continue to be recognised by the CICS. “I am appalled that drivers who might go through what I saw and experienced are to be banned by the government from getting any compensation for the horror,” she said. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the shocking case showed just what is at stake for working people at the sharp end. “Compensation is a small price to pay for helping people who have witnessed traumatic events, or been assaulted by criminals in their workplace, to rebuild their lives,” he said. Harriet Wheeler from Thompsons Solicitors added that the train driver was hugely traumatised as a result of this incident. “Under the CICS reforms her application will rejected yet she would still be dealing with the effects of the suicide victims actions,” she said. RMT accused the government of “taking the side of common criminals against transport workers” as ministers and officials bulldozed through changes that will axe criminal injuries compensation rights. The government had previously pulled back from seriously attacking the Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme (CICS) due to cross-party opposition from MPs on the Parliamentary Delegated Legislation Committee. However this was a temporary retreat and the government re-submitted the proposals and won a majority after the Tories who opposed the measure were kicked off the committee. This represents the removal of a fund of last resort for workers who are caught in the middle of criminal attacks. For the purpose of the law that includes transport workers who witness, or who have to clean up, in the aftermath of a suicide. Examples of recent awards include involving RMT members include, disabling mental illness including stress, anxiety, panic attacks and loss of sleep, suffered by witnessing a fatality on track, post-traumatic stress following witnessing a suicide and a large number of attacks by passengers. RMT general secretary Bob Crow said that the government was effectively siding with violent criminals and against transport staff who risk abuse, assault and the trauma of witnessing suicides. “The vaporising of Tory opponents from the committee dealing with this issue is a mark of the brutality of this Government who will not tolerate any dissent in their quest to claw back payments in these “last resort” cases. “The fight to protect front- line workers from the yobbos who want to turn our transport network into a criminals playground goes on,” he said. GOVERNMENT BLOCKS CRIMINAL INJURIES COMPENSATION Government ‘takes the side of common criminals against transport workers’ as it axes criminal injuries compensation rights THE LAST TRAIN DRIVER TO RECEIVE COMPENSATION FOR SUICIDE TRAUMA?