Waiter Wins £9,000 for Greasy Floor Slip

A waiter at the Savoy Hotel who slipped at work has been awarded compensation for his injuries.

Luis Castillo, 63, had worked at the hotel for 17 years as a waiter and a wine waiter before the accident in 2007. He was walking through the kitchen carrying a bottle of wine and some liqueurs when he slipped on a greasy floor.

Mr Castillo suffered soft tissue damage to his foot and was off work for three months. Two years later, his foot is still painful and requires periodic medical attention. Now, instead of being able to work full-time up until retirement, Mr Castillo is limited in the work he is able to do, only taking shifts from time to time. The hotel accepted liability and Mr Castillo has won compensation of £9,000.

Health and safety protocols at work are designed to avoid accidents such as that experienced by Mr Castillo. Because of the nature of their business, restaurants should take particular care. Spills should be cleared up quickly, the floor should be safe and adequate lighting needs to be in place. Even apparently quite small slips can have serious consequences for those injured.