A waitress who broke her pelvis after she slipped on a wet floor in her workplace has received £6,000 in compensation after help from Thompsons Solicitors.

The 26-year-old from Basildon, Essex was finishing her shift at the Outback Steakhouse in Yardley Business Park, Basildon in October 2007 when she slipped on water on the floor near the restaurant’s dishwasher.

She landed heavily on her right side and fractured her pelvis in two places.

The waitress was working her notice at the restaurant after securing a full time position in human resources. As a result of the accident she was unable to walk unaided for nearly five weeks and was in severe pain for eight weeks.

She suffered intermittent pain in her pelvis for several months following the accident.

No wet floor warning signs had been put up

She contacted Thompsons Solicitors for advice on claiming compensation. Investigations by Thompsons found the area around the dishwasher was often slippery but on the night of the accident no wet floor warning signs had been put up and no attempt had been made to dry the area.

Outback Steakhouse denied liability and Thompsons Solicitors issued Court proceedings against them. Outback Steakhouse eventually settled the case out of court before it went to a court hearing.

The waitress said: “I was at the end of my shift and was about to put my takings in the till when I slipped. There was no warning sign so I had no idea that the floor was dangerous. I was in agony straight away and couldn’t walk unsupported for weeks.”

Kam Singh from Thompsons Solicitors in Chelmsford added: “Spillages are common hazards in busy working kitchens where employers should train staff in wiping them up straight away and putting up hazard signs.

“Our client’s injury shows just how dangerous not following these procedures can be.”