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Case study · Accident at work
£60,000 Compensation After a Sales Executive Was Sent Out on Ice
Our client, a door-to-door sales executive, was sent out to work on icy pavements while a yellow weather warning for ice was in place. They had told their employer it wasn't safe, and they had no footwear suitable for icy ground. They slipped and fell, injuring their back and right leg. NJS Law, the firm behind Injuries Direct, brought the claim against the employer's insurer and secured £60,000 in compensation.
How an employer was held responsible for sending staff out in icy conditions, and what it means if you've been hurt working outdoors when it wasn't safe.
- Claim type
- Accident at work
- Job
- Door-to-door sales executive
- Conditions
- Icy pavements, yellow weather warning for ice
- Injuries
- Back injury with two bulging discs, and damage to the right leg
- Claim made against
- The employer's insurer
What happened
Our client worked as a door-to-door sales executive. On the day of the accident, a yellow weather warning for ice was in place and the pavements were covered in ice.
Our client told their employer it wasn't safe to go out, but they were sent out anyway, without footwear suitable for icy ground. While working, they slipped and fell. The same day, a colleague also slipped on the ice and dislocated his shoulder.
The injuries
The fall left our client with injuries to their back and leg.
- A back injury, including two bulging discs
- Damage to their right leg
How we helped
Solicitors at NJS Law brought the claim against the employer's insurer. Employers have a duty to take reasonable care of their staff, including when work takes them outdoors in bad weather.
- The claimBrought against the employer's insurer, as the employer had sent our client out in icy conditions.
- Medical evidenceWe arranged independent medical evidence covering the back and leg injuries.
- NegotiationWe negotiated with the insurer until the claim was resolved.
- The outcomeCompensation of £60,000.
Key facts in this case
- A yellow weather warning for ice was in place
- Our client told their employer it wasn't safe to go out
- They were sent out without footwear suitable for icy ground
- A colleague also slipped on the ice the same day
Every claim is different, and the outcome of your claim will depend on your circumstances.
What this case shows about working outdoors in bad weather
If you've been hurt because you were sent out to work in unsafe conditions, these are the points that matter most.
The duty goes outdoors too
Employers must take reasonable care of their staff, including when work takes them outdoors in bad weather.
Risks must be assessed
Employers must assess the risks of the work they ask you to do and take sensible steps to reduce them, under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999.
Keep a record of concerns
If you tell your employer something isn't safe, it helps to have a record, such as an email or message. It shows the risk was known.
Your employer's insurer pays
Employers must have employers' liability insurance by law, so compensation is paid by their insurer rather than out of your employer's own pocket.
Hurt at work in unsafe conditions? Find out if you can claim
Whether your injury is serious or minor, our team will talk it through with you for free and tell you honestly whether you have a claim. Eligible claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis.
- Free, no-obligation first conversation
- No win, no fee on eligible claims
- Specialist accident at work solicitors
- Clear, supportive guidance throughout your claim
Prefer to talk now? 0330 818 1202
Slip on ice at work claims: FAQs
Can I claim if I slipped on ice while working?
You may be able to. If your employer sent you out in icy conditions without taking reasonable steps to keep you safe, and you were injured as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.
What if I told my employer it wasn't safe?
That can help your claim, because it shows the risk was known. If you can, keep a record of what you said and when, such as an email or message.
What if I fell on a public pavement, not at my workplace?
If you were working at the time, your employer may still be responsible for how the work was organised, even though they don't look after the pavement. We'll look at what happened and explain who a claim could be made against.
How much compensation could I receive?
It depends on how serious your injuries are, how long they affect you and what they've cost you, such as lost earnings and treatment. In this case, our client received £60,000. See our accident at work claims page for typical compensation ranges.
Will claiming against my employer affect my job?
Employers must have employers' liability insurance, so compensation is paid by their insurer. Most employers understand that a claim is a normal part of how injuries at work are dealt with. If you're worried about how your employer will react, talk to us and we'll explain your options.
Is there a time limit for an accident at work claim?
You usually have three years from the date of your accident to start a claim. There are exceptions, for example for children and people who lack mental capacity, so get in touch even if your accident was some time ago.
Hurt at work in conditions that weren't safe?
Talk to our accident at work team for free, with no obligation to claim. Eligible claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis.