A Sunderland firm has been fined for failing to hold employers liability insurance that enables employees to claim compensation should they be injured at work.
The Health & Safety Executive carried out an investigation following receipt of information that suggested ‘Sun Spirit Ltd’ (a solar panel installation company) was not insured correctly.
Following the investigation, the case was brought before Sunderland Magistrates Court on 16th August. The court was told that the company did not hold Employers Liability Insurance between 9th Feb and 13th December 2012 meaning that there was no cover in place for liability claims relating to bodily injury sustained by employees that resulted from their work.
Sun Spirit was fined £750 and £850 costs after pleading guilty to a breach of Section 1(1) of the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance) Act 1969.
Following the hearing, Andrea Robbins (HSE Inspector) commented:
“As well as being a legal requirement, Employers’ Liability Compulsory Insurance offers important protection for employers and employees alike.
“Failure to have such insurance could leave any employee who is injured or suffers ill health because of their work unable to get any compensation for their suffering.
“The failure of employers to insure is seen as a serious matter and HSE will continue to take legal action where appropriate.”
Employers Liability Insurance is a legal requirement in the UK where the business has employees. You can find out more on the legal requirement regarding this on our liability insurance page.
As always, if you have any queries regarding your legal obligations in this regard, please contact a member of the team.