Mystic Toad Press Blog

In a recent incident, an employee at a Leeds based day centre for Alzheimer’s and Dementia patients sued the Leeds City Council claiming damages for an injury she suffered at the workplace. The worker had to undergo physiotherapy and take a leave of 12 weeks after an accident resulted in whiplash injuries to her. The incident has led the council to replace old, worn out baths used at day centres by new and safer ones.

The accident took place when the care assistant was trying to move the seat of a bath to help a patient come out of it. However, in the attempt the seat collided with a bath panel causing injuries to her.

Following the accident she filed for damages through Thompsons Solicitors which were contacted by her union, the GMB, on her complaint. The City Council of Leeds accepted their liability and the parties reached an out of court settlement for £4,000.

Kevin Hughes from Thompsons Solicitors suggested that the cause of the injury might seem harmless, but the wound of the employee was as bad as a car accident injury. He said the accident would not have occurred, but for the negligence of the employers in providing for proper maintenance of the equipments used. He was supported by the GMB spokesperson, Tim Roache, who expressed his disappointment at the council’s failure in providing a safe work environment to its employees, until it was taken to court. To promote a positive health and safety culture in the workplace environment a NEBOSH General course can help to cut the health and safety risks that apply in the workplace.