Receptionist sues after tripping on wires
A woman who worked with the police service has been awarded with thousands of pounds in compensation, after being seriously injured in an accident at her working place.
The woman who is a Public and Commercial Services (PCS) trade union member, was forced to change her job after the serious work accidentbut has since received more than £10,000 in compensation.
The 53 year old from Middlesex, who was a receptionist for the Metropolitan Police Service, was left with serious whiplash injuries to her shoulder and neck following the accident, in May 2007.
Injuries to the neck and shoulder after work trip
These personal injuries meant that the receptionist was unable to continue with her job at Acton Police Station, as the role included monitoring security screens above head-height, which caused her pain. However, she is currently working at a different Police Station.
The accident occurred when the woman caught her foot on loose wires that were underneath her desk, as she was standing up. She suffered whiplash injuries following the accident and needed intensive physiotherapy and rehabilitation.
She had previously complained about the hazardous situation to management around three months earlier, but nothing had been done to fix the problem.
Her injuries now mean that she is unable to lift and cannot do the gardening. Additionally, the woman also finds it difficult to do the ironing.
Personal injury lawyers help with legal claim
During her medical treatment the woman was told that she is likely to suffer from pain in her neck and shoulder for the rest of her life.
Following the accident she contacted her union the PCS, which instructed personal injury lawyers to help her with pursuing a claim for compensation.
The personal injury lawyers who were working on the receptionist's behalf, argued that the wires should have been secured when the problem was first highlighted by their client.
The Metropolitan Police went on to admit public liability and settled the legal case out of court.
Receptionist speaks out after injury and court victory
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."
The woman also added: "I've had to change where I work because I was in too much pain doing my job at Acton Police Station."
John Thornton, the PCS's 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."
Workplace safety must be a priority
Mr Thornton went on to say: "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 the personal injury lawyer's firm, added: "Employers should take their health and safety duties seriously."
Mr Hutson concluded by saying: "The Metropolitan Police's failure to undertake a risk assessment or to heed sensible complaints has left our client with long term limitations."
Updated on 26/01/2010