The Chronicle Live has reported that a lorry driver has received £4,000.00 in compensation having slipped on some cat litter in an Asda store. It is stated that Ian Burridge was delivering to Asda in Stanley, County Durham, and had asked some of his colleagues for a broom so that he could tidy away some cat litter. Mr Burridge was told that there was no broom available and was unfortunate enough to later slip on some cardboard which was covering the cat litter.
As a result of the accident, Mr Burridge has developed osteoarthritis for which there is no cure and it is a condition that is only likely to get worse. Mr Burridge still continues to use painkillers and complains that his knee hurts when he is driving and when he has to go up stairs.
Nichola Waugh, who was representing Mr Burridge, has remarked that ‘Mr Burridge has been a victim of his colleagues’ flippant attitude towards health and safety…If they had taken more care, the accident would never have happened.’ And she is right. When you go to work, you do not expect to be injured. Your employer is under a duty of care to ensure that whilst you are at work your health and safety is protected. So, when Mr Burridge highlighted the problem of the cat litter to his colleagues, his employers should have reacted, or should have at least had a broom available, so that this hazard could have been stopped.
If you have similarly been involved in an accident at work whereby you have sustained an injury through no fault of your own, it is likely that you will be entitled to compensation. At The Injury Lawyers, we are aware that some people are hesitant in making a claim from their employers; feeling that it will prejudice their employment position. You should however understand that your employer has insurance specifically for the purpose of being able to pay compensation to any employee who should be unfortunate to be involved in an accident at work resulting in an injury.
By law, your employer has to have insurance, and it is there to compensate you. By making a claim for compensation from your employers insurance, you are normally not costing your employer any money as they have already paid, and are required to pay, for their insurance premium.
So – if you feel you may have a claim for compensation, why not give The Injury Lawyers a call today for some free legal advice. You are under no obligation whatsoever to instruct us for your claim, so there is no harm in seeking some free legal advice. Should you instruct us to act for you, it is great to know that we work on a genuine no win, no fee agreement, which means you will never be charged a penny for your claim.
