Almost four in five UK adults could return to work sooner than medically advised following an accident or injury because of financial pressures, according to new research.
A study of 2,000 UK adults, commissioned by law firm Simpson Millar, found that 78% would be likely to return to work earlier than advised if an accident or injury left them unable to work.
Almost a third, 30%, said they would be very likely to do so because of the financial impact of taking time off.
The findings also highlighted concerns about households' ability to withstand a sudden loss of income. Two thirds, 67%, said they were worried about how they would cope financially if an injury meant they could not work, while 62% were concerned about their ability to stay afloat following an unexpected loss of income.
Financial pressures could also influence decisions around treatment. Three in five respondents, 60%, said pressure to return to work would make them skip or delay treatment such as physiotherapy or rest. This included 16% who said they would definitely do so and 44% who said they probably would.
Some 39% said they had already risked their health at work because they could not afford to take time off.
The financial pressure was particularly pronounced among younger respondents. Among 18 to 24 year olds, 88% said they would return to work sooner than medically advised because of financial pressures, compared with 65% of those aged 55 and over.
Almost three quarters, 74%, of 18 to 24 year olds also said financial pressures would cause them to skip or delay treatment, compared with 50% of those aged over 55.
Women were more concerned than men about the financial consequences of being unable to work following an injury. Almost three quarters, 74%, said they were worried about how they would cope, compared with 61% of men.
Susan Vanden, partner in the personal injury team at Simpson Millar, said: "An accident or injury can happen without warning, and alongside the physical impact, there's often a financial one too. Our research shows just how much money worries are shaping recovery decisions, with people returning to work too soon or delaying treatment, which can risk making a difficult situation harder. Nobody should have to choose between their health and paying their bills.
"Where an accident or injury wasn't your fault and was caused by someone else's negligence, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. Compensation isn't just about the injury itself. It can also cover financial losses like loss of earnings, and help meet the costs of treatment and rehabilitation. In serious injury cases, interim payments may even be available before a claim concludes, easing financial pressure while it’s ongoing to ensure the focus is on recovery."
