Firms must be aware of corporate manslaughter law
Many businesses still have not realised the implications of new legislation covering corporate manslaughter and how it could affect them, according to lawyers.
Businesses can now be prosecuted more easily for major heath and safety lapses, when the death of a worker, customer or member of the public results from the firm's actions or omissions, according to solicitors Martineau Johnson.
The firm estimates that around 800 of the 2,000 commercially related deaths in the last decade could have resulted in a prosecution if the new legislation had been in place. Just 34 convictions were made under the old rules.
In addition to large fines, firms can also be ordered to publicise such a conviction under the new rules, icBirmingham reported.
