A compensation award of £55,000 was granted to a teacher after she experienced a fall caused by slipping on a chip, which occurred near the school dining area. The teacher, who had dedicated 20 years to the school. At the time, she was carrying educational materials and was navigating a ramp when the slip happened, leading to strained knee ligaments. The aftermath of the fall was severe, necessitating five months on crutches followed by intensive physiotherapy sessions.
In the judge’s findings, it was determined that the local education authority failed to recognize the ramp as a potential hazard. On the accident’s day, the ramp was not only slippery but also in a state of disrepair. The judge criticized the lack of preventative measures, specifically pointing out the absence of appropriate floor mats that could have significantly reduced the risk of slipping. Additionally, he mentioned that the ramp should have been regularly cleaned with higher diligence. The camouflaged nature of the chip, blending in with the pattern of the floor, was also highlighted, which could have been made more noticeable with the presence of proper floor mats to contrast with the existing flooring.