If you have suffered an accident at work and you believe that your employer was to blame, you should seek legal advice right away. A florist's assistant who did just that after he fell while carrying a heavy glass vase has secured the right to substantial compensation.
The man was lifting the large vase, which contained six litres of water, up a narrow flight of stairs at a client's premises when he slipped and fell forward onto his hands. Shards from the shattered vase cut into the flesh and tendons of one of his wrists, putting him in fear that he might bleed to death. He required surgical treatment in hospital and was left traumatised and permanently scarred.
After he launched personal injury proceedings, a judge found that his employer had instructed him to perform an inherently dangerous task. The risk was obvious and it was an accident that had been 'waiting to happen'. His injuries were a direct consequence of his employer's failure to provide him with a safe system of work.
Although the amount of the man's compensation has yet to be finally assessed, his claim is valued at up to £100,000.