“The wet floor in the lift was an obvious danger, yet the company involved did not seem to care."

Deborah Roberts of Thompsons Solicitors

This week’s ‘Case of the Week’ highlights the lengths some companies will go to, to avoid their responsibilities.

Our client was entering a lift when she slipped on the floor, which had recently been mopped, sustaining an injury to her left hip. She suffered pain as a result of the accident for almost a year after.

The company responsible for the building denied that it was at fault, and even suggested our client had not fallen at all, let alone that the floor was slippery.

Taking a robust stance our client, supported by her trade union, UNISON, took the case before a Judge. The Judge accepted her evidence and found that the company had failed to keep the area safe by leaving the flooring of the lift wet, with no warning signs.

Deborah Roberts, who acted for our client, said: “The wet floor in the lift was an obvious danger, yet the company involved did not seem to care. Even if external companies are used for cleaning premises, there is a responsibility on the company in control of the premises to ensure that any external cleaning companies are carrying out operations safely.”