A public sector worker has received accident compensation after suffering a workplace accident.
The woman injured herself when she tripped over a socket hatch embedded into the floor of her office. It is understood that the hatch had been left up by a cleaner who was employed by an outside property management contractor.
The 58-year-old civil servant suffered a torn cartilage in the fall and later had to undergo surgery. She was absent from work for over three weeks after the accident and suffered pain and restricted movement.
Colleagues advised the woman to claim for accident compensation when she returned to work as she was still in pain. A number of colleagues revealed that they had also fallen over the same socket lid in the past when it had been left up, although they had not suffered injuries.
Her mind was finally made up to pursue accident compensation when she tripped on the socket a second time. Luckily she didn’t sustain any injuries but felt that action needed to be taken to prevent someone else getting hurt.
The claim was settled out of court by the property management company and the woman received £8,000 in accident compensation.