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Legal matters

Liability for a fall

2 replies

nameswap · 19/03/2012 22:13

Before I start, let me just say that I am NOT in the UK, but in a UK dependent territory which basically follows UK law, although I'm sure differs in the fine points.

My husband is a volunteer for a local rescue organization and a couple of months ago, took a nasty fall on a wet floor inside the rescue headquarters while heading out on a rescue. The next day his wrist was so sore and swollen that he thought it might be broken, and he went to the Dr, who sent him for x-rays. Luckily, it wasn't broken but was very painful for a long time (and still is). His neck and back were also badly jarred in the fall and are also still giving him grief. Plenty of people saw him fall.

Medical care is not free here, and when he put in a claim to the organization for his bills to be covered (very modest bills, less than 100UKP in total), they refused. (The organization is very very well off).

I am furious and although it would not be financially worth it, think we should get a stroppy solicitor's letter sent. Surely the organization should be liable if someone injures themselves in what is effectively a workplace?

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LIZS · 20/03/2012 08:29

Think it depends whether they took reasonable precautions ie had a "Wet Floor" sign on display, assuming they knew it was the case.

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nameswap · 20/03/2012 14:45

Ok thanks LIZS - no, there were no signs but no paid employees were there -there's only one who's there during the day and this was a night time rescue. They are all volunteers. And the organization does have insurance against this type of thing. The volunteers are told that they're 'covered' but apparently in practice they're not.

Thank goodness it wasn't worse, if the bills had been huge or DH had been off work we would have been done for.

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