The festive season is upon us once again, and as well as the usual decorations and secret-santa, it’s likely that your boss will be padlocking the photocopier in preparation of that other yuletide ubiquity; the work Christmas party.
In most cases, these occasions end with nothing more than a sore head and an oh-so-familiar sense of shame, but they can end up being a lot more serious.
You may not be aware of this, but your employer is liable for you whenever you are acting in the course of your employment – and this can include the work Christmas party, whether held in an office or more suave surroundings.
How Do Accidents at Office Christmas Parties Happen?
The more traditional setting of a party in the office itself can result in accidents occurring when colleagues abuse work equipment, drinks are split on the floor and not cleaned up, and desks and tables are used for purposes unintended; being stood on.
The newer, and arguably safer, model of the party in a different location can still end in personal injury. Poorly lit areas, slips, spillages and undesirable work-mate behaviour are all potential hazards that both you and your employer should be aware of. There is also the risk of food poisoning due to poor food preparation or because buffet-style food has been left out too long at room temperature.
Naturally, the usual warnings apply in these instances. Whilst it may seem like the perfect time to let down your hair and enjoy a night of revelry, drinking to excess comes with obvious perils and is always advised against. Similarly, acting in a way that is likely to endanger, embarrass or injure your colleagues is a no-no. Be sensible, and try to have an injury free Christmas break.
Our firm worked on Mr F’s case who received £6,500 compensation after suing following an accident at work during an office Christmas party.
On the 23rd December, Mr F was in the company Boardroom enjoying drinks and snacks in a management effort to help staff ‘wind down’ before the Christmas break.
After several hours, Mr F was dancing on a desk with one of the senior Partners.
Mr F slipped off this desk onto the floor, landing on his right shoulder. He sustained a very painful dislocation of this shoulder. Mr F’s employers were aware of the hazardous nature of this activity, yet no attempt was made to stop it happening – in fact, it appears that it was actively encouraged.
As a result of the accident, Mr F was unable to work for three months, and incurred a variety of medical and travel expenses. Due to these circumstances, Mr F decided to bring a compensation claim and contacted Bartletts Solicitors who allocated his claim to an experienced member of the Personal Injury team.
By the end of October the following year, Mr F had received his cheque for £6,500.
The Claims Process
Claiming with us is easy. Get a free no obligation initial consultation about your case, your rights, and our no win no fee agreement. All information can be taken over the phone. Medical treatment is local to you. We aim to keep the claims process short by keeping claims out of court. If your claim does need to go to court it is unlikely that you will need to attend court, as cases settle before the final hearing.
Job Security and Sick Pay
We can advise you about job security and dismissal concerns, as well as matters related to sick pay. Dismissal without a valid reason and without due procedures being followed is against the law, and can result in a claim for unfair dismissal being brought against the employer. Employers are also legally obliged to pay Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) to injured employees, and may pay more than the minimum depending on the terms of an individual’s employment contract. Contact us today for free no obligation advice.
Your Compensation
Compensation will pay for private healthcare treatment. It will also cover:
- Physiotherapy
- Psychological therapy
- Expenses (such as the cost of travel to hospital appointments)
- Loss of income
- Household adaptations
The amount of compensation you receive will depend on the severity of your injuries and the likelihood that you’ll make a full recovery. We’ll seek expert opinions on what care you’ll need to ensure that the compensation we claim will be sufficient.
Make a free compensation enquiry today
For specialist advice on your personal injury claim, call us now on Liverpool 0151 227 3391 or Chester 01244 645830 or Wrexham 01978 360056 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.
