Nursery School Worker Wins Compensation for Workplace Fall

Floors that are in a bad condition and failing to clear up spillages are the most common causes of trip injuries in the workplace.

A recent case shows what can happen if surfaces are allowed to remain slippery. It involved a former nursery school worker who had to give up her job because of injuries she sustained when she slipped and fell on spilled liquid in the school hall.

The 60-year-old woman was working at an infant school in Stoke-on-Trent when the accident happened. No one had cleaned up the spillage and she slipped and crashed into some nearby steps. She fell awkwardly and injured both of her knees.

The woman already had a degenerative knee condition, which was exacerbated by the fall. She underwent five operations, including two knee replacements, to try to alleviate the symptoms but was left physically weaker as a result of the accident.

She tried to carry on working but was forced to retire after five months as she was no longer able to fulfil the role.

When the woman brought a personal injury claim, the council admitted that the school was to blame for her accident as it had failed to implement procedures to protect staff and pupils against the risk of injury from spillages. She was awarded more than £20,000 in compensation.

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