UNISON secures £559,509.72 compensation for personal injuries in 2010.

Assaults, car crashes, back injuries and slips at work are among the total cases UNISON has won £27,398,985 worth of compensation for in 2010.

The union has handled 3,893 cases to help members receive justice for the pain and suffering caused by personal injuries right across England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

UNISONs regional office and legal assistance in Belfast have secured £559,509.72 for workers in the north of Ireland.

UNISON's General Secretary, Dave Prentis, said:

"A lot of these injuries could and should have been prevented. These jobs are not dangerous - nursery workers, dental technicians and dinner ladies - but, because employers have been negligent, some UNISON members have lost their health, families, confidence and careers.

"Employers have a duty of care and where they fail, workers and their families deserve compensation for the pain and suffering caused by personal injuries.

"Last year UNISON secured £28million for workplace injuries but, one year on, it's clear some employers have still not learned their lesson and introduced safer working practices.

"Public sector workers already face pay freezes, job and service cuts, with worse to come. They deserve to be able to do a hard day's work in a safe environment."