Settlement: £7,000
Case Handler: Alix Stewart, Solicitor
Case Type: Employer liability and workplace accident claim
Client: Anonymous NHS Clinical Support Worker
An NHS worker who was accustomed to caring for others suddenly found herself relying on family and friends after a workplace accident fractured her dominant wrist.
The injury affected her work, independence and ability to manage everyday life. When her employer disputed responsibility for the accident, she turned to Thompsons Scotland for specialist legal support.
Alix Stewart guided her through the claim, kept her updated and challenged the employer’s position. A settlement of £7,000 was ultimately secured on her behalf.
A Preventable Accident During a Night Shift
Our client was working as a Clinical Support Worker in an NHS intensive care ward during a night shift.
Her role involved direct patient care, assisting nursing staff and helping to maintain a safe and organised environment for seriously ill patients.
At approximately 6.30am, a nurse asked her to collect pillowcases for a patient. As she stood up from a desk and walked towards the patient’s room, her route was partially obstructed by equipment.
A treatment trolley restricted the available walkway, while a swivel chair had been left beside a desk and resuscitation trolley. The ward was also darker than usual because the night lights had not been switched on.
As our client adjusted her route around the equipment, her right foot caught on one of the chair’s legs. She lost her balance and fell heavily forwards, landing on her right wrist and knee.
A Fractured Wrist and Ongoing Symptoms
Our client experienced immediate pain in her right wrist. Later that day, an X-ray confirmed that she had fractured the scaphoid bone in her dominant hand.
Her wrist was initially placed in a splint before she was required to wear a cast for several weeks. She later underwent physiotherapy and continued rehabilitation.
The fall also caused bruising and an injury to her knee.
Despite treatment, she continued to experience pain, swelling, reduced movement and loss of grip strength in her injured hand. She also developed arthritis around the affected area and found it difficult to straighten one of her fingers.
The accident affected her confidence as well as her physical health. She became apprehensive about walking and worried that she might trip and fall again.
From Caring for Others to Needing Help Herself
The injury had a considerable effect on our client’s independence.
Before the accident, she was healthy, active and used to supporting other people. Afterwards, she required help from her partner, sister, niece and friends with:
- Bathing and dressing
- Cooking and preparing meals
- Shopping
- Household chores
- Travelling to appointments
- Opening doors and handling everyday objects
She found it difficult to hold a cup of tea, open her front door or start her car using her injured hand.
Although she initially tried to return to work on lighter duties, she was advised that she could not safely work while wearing a cast because she was unable to meet the required hand-hygiene standards.
She therefore remained absent from work and experienced a loss of earnings.
For someone who had always been independent and whose job involved caring for others, having to rely on family and friends for basic daily tasks was extremely difficult.
Her Employer Disputed Responsibility
Our client believed the accident could have been prevented.
She maintained that the chair should not have been left obstructing the walkway and that the poor lighting made it harder to see the hazard. She was also concerned that the ward was cramped and that furniture and equipment were regularly moved without being returned to a safe position.
The employer denied liability and argued that the lighting was adequate. It also maintained that additional portable lighting was available.
Contributory negligence was raised, meaning it was suggested that our client may have been partly responsible for her own accident.
Despite the employer disputing the claim, Alix Stewart continued to pursue compensation on the client’s behalf.
How Alix Stewart and Thompsons Scotland Helped
Alix listened carefully to the client’s account and investigated the circumstances surrounding the accident.
The claim focused on the employer’s responsibility to provide a reasonably safe working environment, maintain clear walkways and reduce avoidable trip hazards.
Alix supported the client throughout the process, explained the legal issues clearly and ensured she was kept informed as the claim progressed.
Following negotiations, a £7,000 compensation settlement was secured.
The outcome recognised the pain, loss of independence, financial impact and disruption the accident had caused.
What Our Client Said About Alix
Our client praised the support she received from Alix throughout the claim:
Alix Stewart
Alix Stewart
“Our client spent her working life helping and caring for other people. Following this accident, she suddenly found herself unable to manage many everyday tasks without support from her family and friends.
“The employer continued to dispute responsibility, but we believed that this was a preventable accident caused by an unsafe and obstructed walkway.
“I am pleased that we were able to support our client, keep her informed throughout the process and secure compensation that recognised the impact the injury had on her work, independence and daily life.”
- Speaking about the support she received from Alix, the client said:
“Alix was amazing every step of the way. She kept me updated, she gave me great advice and she was fantastic. I couldn’t fault her in any way.” She also valued the personal and compassionate way Alix handled the case: “She was so professional and her manner was lovely. She would always ask, ‘How are you doing?’ before delving in. For someone to ask that first, it meant a lot to me.”
For our client, having a solicitor who listened, understood the impact of the injury and treated her as a person rather than simply another case made a real difference.
Why This Workplace Accident Case Matters
A chair left in the wrong place may appear to be a minor issue, but workplace trip hazards can cause serious injuries with lasting consequences.
Employers have a duty to take reasonable steps to keep working areas safe. This includes maintaining clear walkways, providing adequate lighting, storing furniture and equipment appropriately and responding when hazards are identified.
These responsibilities remain important in busy and pressured environments such as hospitals, where staff may be focused on caring for patients and responding to urgent situations.
This case also shows that an employer’s denial of responsibility does not necessarily mean a claim will be unsuccessful. With specialist advice and the right evidence, it may still be possible to challenge the employer’s position and secure compensation.
Talk To Thompsons Scotland?
Workplace accident claims can become difficult when an employer or insurer denies responsibility or suggests that the injured worker was partly to blame.
Thompsons Scotland has decades of experience representing workers injured through no fault of their own. Our specialist solicitors will listen to what happened, explain your legal rights and support you throughout every stage of the claim.
As this case demonstrates, the right solicitor does more than pursue compensation. They provide reassurance, clear advice and consistent support during what can be an uncertain and stressful time.
If you have been injured at work, talk to Thompsons Scotland to find out whether you may be entitled to claim compensation.
