The Accident Insurance Association (AAA) recognised 17,000 employment accidents in 2022. To provide better council and support to those affected in the future, a new association has recently been created, the National Association of Victims of Accidents at Work (AVT).
Our colleagues from RTL met with Josy Justen and Cindy Humbert, two of the founders, who have both suffered severe work accidents in their lives. Justen lost his left foot in a train accident in 1997 while Humbert was involved in a road accident on her way home from work in 2009. At the time, a wrong-way driver crashed into the then 24-year-old woman.
“I’d never broken anything before. So I learnt what it was like to suffer and to relearn how to walk, brush my teeth, and do my hair. I had to relearn everything. I think the hardest thing is seeing your family suffer”, explained Humbert in conversation with RTL.
The AVT, which currently operates with six volunteers, intends to provide support to victims as soon as possible after an accident. This might include psychological support, concrete advice, and assistance with administrative procedures.
Around 25 victims have thus far relied on AVT services after an accident. Justen and Humbert emphasised the need to communicate, which is why they want to create a support group so that victims can have positive exchanges. The AVT is still looking for a suitable home while also wanting to hire a labour lawyer and a psychologist.
For more information, please consult avt.lu.
