Compensation for Sheffield Woman for Fall in House

Fall at Home

11/06/2008

A Sheffield woman has received £3000 compensation after falling in her council property.

In October 2006, Ms X was having work carried out on her kitchen by contractors on behalf of the council.

A silicone based screed had been put down on the kitchen floor by the contractors so that tiles could be placed on top. Ms X was told not to walk on the kitchen floor for about 4 hours.

Later in the afternoon, the site supervisor came to the back kitchen door and shouted that he needed to be let in. Ms X explained that she had been told not to walk on the floor but he insisted that it would be fine to walk upon. Ms X explained to the site supervisor that he should walk round to the front door but he insisted the floor would now be dry. As a result of these assurances, Ms X stepped onto the kitchen floor in order to unlock the back door but slipped and fell.

The case was settled in May 2008 by Katrina Elsey of Irwin Mitchell's specialist Public Liability team who deal with all forms of accidents in public places including; slips, trips and falls, dog bites and claims against the council.

She said, "In this case Ms X was instructed by the site supervisor of the contractors to walk upon the floor when he should have known that it was dangerous for her to do so. Unfortunately, the contractors failed to check the area was safe before instructing the client to walk upon it."