Nightclub Falls Lead to £75,000 in Compensation Payments

A total of £75,000 has been awarded in compensation to six people who fell and were injured whilst enjoying a night out at a Council-run nightclub.

The clubbers had all attended special theme nights at the club in Wolverhampton Civic Hall. The accidents, which occurred between 2003 and 2006, were caused by dropped bottles and liquid that had spilled onto the non-slip dance floor.

One person hit their head and suffered concussion and memory loss, another sustained a serious knee injury and others suffered broken limbs.

The claimants argued that Wolverhampton City Council had not taken sufficient care to ensure the safety of members of the public. It had made inadequate efforts to keep drinks away from the dance floor and did not employ enough members of staff in a supervisory capacity.

Two of the claims were settled out of court whilst the remainder of the compensation payments were determined by Walsall County Court. The judge found that in general the Council had good systems in place, but on the nights in question there had been a failure to ensure visitor safety.

Owners and controllers of venues open to members of the public have a duty of care to ensure people’s safety. If through no fault of your own you have been injured on property open to the public, you may be entitled to compensation.