Civil servant receives £20k compensation following fall in workplace

Posted: March 22, 2016

Posted in: Leg Injuries Workplace Injuries 

An employee of the Department for Work and Pensions has been awarded £20,000 after a fall she took at work, leaving her disabled. 50-year-old Alain Sargent from Kent town, Westgate on Sea, decided to press for compensation after being left disabled when she had her shoe heel lodged in a faulty step causing a debilitating accident.  Ms Sargent sued Dalkia Plc for neglect, the company who maintained the building of her employer, the Department of Work and Pensions, who admitted liability and settled the claim out of court.

“difficult to believe a faulty stair could change my life so dramatically”

Ms Sargent was working in her role of admin officer for the Department of Work and Pensions Jobcentre Plus in St Peter’s Park Road, Broadstairs, when the right heel of her shoe became caught in the metal edging of a staircase inside her place of work.  Ms Sargent tumbled head first down the staircase and just missed banging her head off a wall.  She was left with multiple bruising all over her body that resulted in her losing more than six weeks from work.  The result of her absence from work meant that Ms Sargent had to claim Disability Living Allowance. 

Before the incident, Ms Sargent stated that she had led a very active life.  She mentioned that she had often power walked and enjoyed Latin American and old-time ballroom dancing, which she can no longer do.  She stated: “I am now registered disabled and I need someone to assist me for around 30 minutes every day.  It is difficult to believe a faulty stair could change my life so dramatically”.

If you have suffered an injury at work, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us. 

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