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News Desk | News Story
26th January 2010
Police worker receives £10,000 after fall
Forced to changes jobs after accident at work
A Public and Commercial Services (PCS) union member who was forced to change jobs after a serious workplace accident has received more than £10,000 in compensation.
The 53-year-old from Middlesex, a receptionist for the Metropolitan Police Service, was left with serious whiplash injuries to her shoulder and neck following the accident in May 2007.
Her injuries meant she was unable to continue with her job at Acton Police Station as it included monitoring security screens above head-height, which caused her pain.
She is now working at a different Police Station.
She suffered whiplash when her foot caught on loose wires underneath her desk as she was standing up. Following the accident she needed intensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
Complained to management about the hazard three months earlier
She had complained to management about the hazard three months earlier but nothing had been done to fix the problem.
Her injuries mean she is unable to lift and cannot do the gardening. She also finds it difficult to do the ironing. She has been told she is likely to suffer from pain in her neck and shoulder for life.
Following the accident she contacted her union the PCS which instructed its lawyers Thompsons Solicitors to pursue a claim for compensation.
Thompsons argued the wires should have been secured when the problem was first highlighted by their client.
The Metropolitan Police admitted liability and settled the case out of court.
The PCS member said: “I’m angry I am now living with this injury when I had previously warned my employers about those wires. I now find it difficult to do many things which I took for granted. I’ve had to change where I work because I was in too much pain doing my job at Acton Police Station.”
Health and safety in the workplace should take priority
John Thornton, PCS national officer said: “Loose wires are an obvious tripping hazard and to make matters worse our member had already warned her employers about the problem. Health and safety in the workplace should take priority. These wires should have been fixed as soon as a problem was recognised.”
Andrew Hutson from Thompsons Solicitors added: “Employers should take their health and safety duties seriously. The Metropolitan Police’s failure to undertake a risk assessment or to heed sensible complaints has left our client with long term limitations.”
Slip or Trip at Work Compensation Claim Advice
If you or anyone you know has suffered an injury at work after slipping or tripping, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online personal injury compensation claim forms.
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