“This is a really excellent personal injury team that can be regarded as one of the major players in the London claimant personal injury market.”
Commercial kitchens are a notoriously dangerous environment. Where water, oil, and flames combine with noise, speed and people there is always the prospect of an accident happening. There are thousands of kitchens in the hospitality and catering industry in the UK, in restaurants, cafes, bars and hotels, and some engage a low paid workforce with high staff turnover. The challenge is to train all staff in safe practices so they are not a danger to themselves or colleagues, and to ensure that the working environment is as safe as it reasonably can be.
Dangers arising from a slippery kitchen floor
One particular danger, which causes the most accidents in the kitchen, is the slippery floor. All kinds of liquids and substances end up on the floor of a busy kitchen, but attention to safety and observing proper drills will greatly reduce the risk of kitchen workers slipping and suffering injury. A kitchen is a place of hard surfaces and edges, and busy kitchen workers will often be carrying hot or heavy items, so a slipping accident can sometimes rest in a serious injury. The Health and Safety Executive recognises the difference safety flooring can make, and has published guidelines for employers in how to make the floor surface of their kitchens low risk for slips.
Avoidable injuries in the kitchen
Another occupational hazard for chefs and kitchen workers is the risk of burns and cuts. Burns can be from the oven, hob or other hot surface or pot and pan. Cuts are common from use of the array of very sharp knives and slicing machines used in catering. Of course all chefs accept the risk of a scald, burn or cut from a moment of inattention, and nobody else will usually be to blame for that, but sometimes the lack of concentration is caused by fatigue from long hours (that perhaps breach the Working Time Directive). Other times the injury will be caused by the carelessness of a colleague, for which the employer will be liable, or a system failure which exposes the worker to a foreseeable risk.
Risks to front of house restaurant staff
Waiters and waitresses spend much of their time entering and leaving kitchens and there needs to be a safe system for them to collect trays, plates, food and drink and to pass between the kitchen and the front of house without collisions and slips. A surprisingly high number of establishments seem to have doors to the kitchen that open both ways but contain no window, so waiters can crash into each other.
Injuries occurring at factory stage
The food production industry is highly mechanised and often operates a factory model, where workers have a set task which is repeated endlessly, and with output targets to meet. Unless planned carefully, with appropriate variation and breaks, this work can cause repetitive strain injuries.
Osbornes has acted for very many chefs, waiters, pot washers and other kitchen workers. Unless the accident was caused by the injured person’s own carelessness the claim will usually be successful.
A recent case
Mrs B was one such client. She loved her job running a kitchen and spent most of her spare time looking after her disabled children. She suffered a nasty and entirely avoidable injury at work when the industrial dishwasher broke down and started leaking water onto the kitchen floor. She reported the problem but her employers failed to repair or replace it. As a result she continued to use it and mopped up the water as best she could, but a few days later there was a pool of water she had not noticed and she slipped on it, landing other elbow and suffering a bad fracture. As a result she needed surgery, was not able to work for months, and was left with a disability that meant she could no longer do the heavier work in the kitchen. She became depressed because she missed the job she so enjoyed and she was not able to look after her disabled son for the period of her own rehabilitation. Her employers admitted liability and she was compensated for the injury, her loss of earnings and for the psychological and domestic effect on her.
Essential reading
Client StoriesVIEW ALL
17.11.2021£100,000 settlement for tripping at work
Osbornes Law secures £100,000 settlement for Hungarian woman who tripped over a shopping bag at work Siobhan McIvor, a Partner in...
Read more
17.11.2021£165,000 settlement for factory accident
Siobhan McIvor, a Partner in the Personal Injury Department of Osbornes Law, has secured a £165,000 settlement, with the help of...
Read more- 18.5.2021
Construction Site Accident at Work
Our client suffered numerous fractures to their left leg requiring surgery following a work accident on a construction site. He...
Read more - 18.5.2021
Compensation Awarded Following Amputation Accident on Construction Site
Our client worked as a carpenter/bricklayer on a building site at a residential property in North London. He was...
Read more - 2.9.2020
Lasting damage to ankle following construction accident settles...
Sam Collard, an Associate in the Osbornes’ catastrophic injury team, recently settled an employer’s liability claim for a Romanian...
Read more - 13.8.2019
Basement fatality convictions highlight health and safety regulations
Conrad Sidebottom, 46, and Richard Golding, 43, were jailed for their part in causing the death of Anghel Milosavlevici. Osbornes Law partner...
Read more - 13.8.2019
Boatyard worker awarded multi-million pound settlement
A boatyard worker who was injured in a workplace fall has been awarded a compensation settlement worth £7.2 million. Kevin Cleightonhills,...
Read more - 19.6.2019
Man loses hand in accident at work
A company that owns a factory in Knowsley has been fined £3,500 and ordered to pay £3,500 in costs after an employees...
Read more - 19.6.2018
Ladder accident results compensation claim
A shop worker who fell from a ladder has won £9,600 in compensation. The worker who was employed as a senior...
Read more - 19.6.2018
Worker suffers life-changing injuries in accident at work
A windows company has been fined and ordered to pay costs after a double glazing worker suffered multiple injuries in...
Read more - 2.4.2018
Osbornes settles serious workplace injury case for six...
The personal injury team at Osbornes has recently represented a baker after he got his arm caught in a faulty...
Read more - 6.8.2017
Compensation for construction worker with serious ankle injury
The Claimant, PB, a Polish male in his late 40s, was injured when he fell off a ladder whilst working...
Read more 
19.6.2016Osbornes helps hotel bar man claim compensation
Osbornes were instructed after our client, a hotel barman fell down a flight of stairs at work. The man had...
Read more- 19.6.2012
Man who fell in freezer in work accident...
The man who was in a walk in freezer at the time slipped on ice which had built up on...
Read more - 19.6.2012
Injury to wrist results in £100,000 for lorry driver
A lorry driver has received a settlement for injuries and financial losses suffered in an accident at work. Jarek Lemancyk...
Read more - 19.6.2012
Worker paralysed at work awarded £120,000 in compensation
A 38 year old worker was left paralysed from the chest down after an accident at work in which a reel...
Read more
"Osbornes always provides work of excellent quality and the advice is sound."
"The firm has the ability to handle the most sophisticated and complex matters."
"Osbornes is always client-focused and works tirelessly to obtain the best outcomes."
'The team deals with multi-million pound, often multifaceted claims, involving such factors as severe brain, psychiatric, gynaecological and spinal injury, major trauma, amputation and fatality.'
"They are a boutique firm with highly experienced partners who are well-respected in the industry."
"The team at Osbornes deals with catastrophic injury claims with the same professionalism as the largest firms, but provides a much more client-focused experience."
"A really first-rate team, well capable of dealing with the most serious and complex injuries."
"This team has carved out an exceptional reputation in catastrophic injury work."
"Osbornes has impressed me with their personal touch for clients whilst offering a first-class handling of catastrophic injury claims. The partners all have vast experience and are highly respected in their field."
"This is a really excellent personal injury team that can be regarded as one of the major players in the London claimant personal injury market."
"Osbornes have managed to recruit a team of outstanding catastrophic injury lawyers who are at the top of the game."
"They punch well above their weight. The quality of service they provide equals that of any of the larger top-name firms in this area"
Ben Posford is fiercely bright, with an unrivalled passion for his clients’ cases. His encyclopaedic knowledge of all things PI is second to none. His foresight and commercial nous have propelled Osbornes into the highest echelons of the market where they rightly belong.
The firm has an excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants, managed by recruiting paralegals with multi-language skills – an impressive route for expansion of the caseload.
Great expanding team with expertise and respect in the sector. Led by a commercially savvy and business minded team.
A really excellent group of PI solicitors, notable for their individual quality.’
A niche firm that punches well above its weight in the catastrophic injury sector, borne out by the quality of work they obtain.
This combination of experience and diligence reaps massive rewards for clients, Osbornes being well known in the industry as a fantastic firm.
The Osbornes personal injury team now comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business.
Ben Posford is one of London’s best catastrophic injury lawyers, in my view. He is a real brain injury specialist.
Excellent coverage of personal injury, and traumatic brain injury. There is a real specialism in claimants who do not speak English as a first language.
The group is noted for its expertise in matters relating to cycling injuries, and is the official legal partner of the London Cycling Campaign charity.
To complement its strong reputation for high-value and complex personal injury work, the firm continues to develop its 'excellent and innovative line in cases involving non-English speaking claimants'
"Osbornes comprises some of the most technically adept and hard hitting lawyers in the business"
"A small but high-powered team, dealing with cases of significant value and complexity."
"An excellent firm which achieves fantastic outcomes for clients."
"Osbornes Law have captured the magic of keeping the customer service levels of a smaller firm whilst having all the expertise and power of the biggest firms."
"A superb boutique catastrophic injury firm."
"Really good at dealing with people who have suffered a serious injury."
"Affable and charming with very good client-handling skills."
"superb firm with consummate professionals and a human touch."
Osbornes now has a team of highly experienced personal injury lawyers; particularly strong on high-value quantum cases, workplace accidents and claims involving foreign workers injured in the UK.
The team provides fantastic strength-in-depth for personal injury claims. It is also particularly well placed to service clients from Eastern Europe with specialist native language speakers. From the smallest case to a multimillion-pound spinal injury case, Osbornes has the right staff to manage every claim.
Ben Posford remains pre-eminent in his field with expert understanding of litigating cases of the upmost severity. His experience builds on Stuart Kightley’s running of the firm with recent partner additions of Rob Aylott making a fantastic addition.
A firm going from strength-to strength-which retains its client care whilst being able to offer a full personal injury service.
Beneath Ben Posford’s calm and reassuring presence, which clients love, lies a formidable tactical and legal brain. His experience tells and he gets it right at every stage of the process from arranging the best possible rehabilitation, to ensuring, so far as possible, a polite relationship with those acting for the defendant in order to ensure best and early resolution of the claim.
"Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team."
"They have an expanding profile in personal injury and clinical negligence and offer a superb, broad service in accidents abroad, enabled by their recruitment of bilingual legal executives who can guide non-English speakers through complex litigation."
"Solid personal injury practice well equipped to advise on high-value and high-profile claims arising from fatalities and severe head and spinal injuries."
"Offers specialist expertise in cycling-related injury claims."
"Offers specialist expertise in cauda equina syndrome cases."
"An exceptional outfit. They take on difficult cases, fight hard and win."
"Stuart Kightley is an incredibly empathetic solicitor who is very knowledgeable about traumatic brain injury."
"Stuart is also very experienced in advising on fatal accidents and workplace accidents."
"They are an outstanding firm to work with. They are consistently impressive in their work."
"Osbornes has a growing influence and impressive work load and is gaining a reputation for handling complex catastrophic work."
"Osbornes often handles claims valued at over £1m, particularly relating to severe brain and spinal cord injuries and niche areas such as cauda equina syndrome and cycling accidents."
"The hard-working, thorough and committed Robert Aylott, who brings significant heavyweight personal injury experience."
"Key team members include the energetic and personable Stuart Kightley who is head of the personal injury department."
"Catastrophic injury cases head Ben Posford is an excellent practical litigator who offers exceptional service."
Thank you for the hard work and patience and for being so patient with my constant questions.
"I have found Osbornes to be thorough, clear and understanding from the initial call. They do exactly what they say they will and with passion! I would recommend them to anyone".
Very good efficient service. Would not hesitate to use again.
I will use Osbornes for any future needs.
I don't think I could have asked for anything more. One of the best dealings I've had with the legal profession.
Sam was excellent and very professional in dealing with our claim.
Head of the personal injury department, Stuart Kightley is a first-rate practitioner, wholly focused on getting his client the best outcome in a pragmatic, sensible and consensual manner.
As a real specialist in spinal cord injuries, Ben Posford is always looking at new angles on how to maximise his cases.
Ben Posford is one of the best catastrophic injury lawyers around.
They provide exceptional service, great knowledge and understanding of the law, excellent client care and tactical nous
Stuart Kightley is praised for his expertise in catastrophic and fatal claims. Clients say he is very impressive, in terms of both his experience and his management of the personal injury team.
My claim was dealt with efficiently and professionally. Communication was excellent, and timely. Shrewd and sound advice was provided at every stage of the claim from beginning through to completion. On the basis of my personal experience I would strongly recommend Osbornes.
I just wish to thank you for your hard work and successful outcome. I am pleased with the result and would recommend you and your firm to anyone in the future.
Ben Posford … is ‘tactically astute’ and ‘one of the best personal injury solicitors around’.
Ben Posford ‘knows how to maximise the value of the claim for his clients’.
Personal Injury FAQs
What is a personal injury?
A personal injury is an injury someone suffers to their body, mind or emotions, as a result of someone else’s negligence. This can be direct – an injury to yourself – or indirect – suffering you experience following a bereavement caused by someone’s negligence. Your personal injury claim might be as a result of an accident at work, cycling accident, or road traffic accident. If you are not sure whether we can help then just give us a call and our personal injury solicitors will be able to advise on your personal circumstances.
If you think you might qualify for personal injury compensation just call us today, or complete the enquiry form.
Can I make a personal injury claim?
If you have suffered an injury or bereavement as a result of someone else’s actions you may be entitled to bring a personal injury claim. To find out whether you might be entitled to accident or injury compensation just call us today, or complete the enquiry form.
What types of personal injury can I claim compensation for?
Our personal injury compensation lawyers advise on a broad range of injury and accident claims. Our personal injury expertise includes accidents at work, trips and slips, amputation claims, car and road traffic accidents, accidents on public transport, cycling accident claims, motorcycling claims and more. No matter where you have been injured due to someone else’s negligence we can help. Including brain and head injuries, spinal cord and other serious injuries.
How do I start my claim for compensation with Osbornes Law?
First, get in touch. Just call your local office or complete the enquiry form on this page or the contact us page to find a personal injury lawyer near you.
Second, each case is different. One of our accident lawyers will arrange a time to speak with you so we can find out all the details and understand exactly what has happened. Once we have this information we’ll be able to advise you on the best course of action.
Third, don’t worry. Our solicitors and legal assistants are approachable and speak in plain English. Our number one priority is to look after you and your best interests. This means you can relax knowing you have one of the best, most respected personal injury teams on your side.
How much compensation will I get for my personal injury claim?
No two claims are the same so we can’t say, straight away, how much personal injury compensation you will get for your claim. Compensation is split into two parts:
- General damages (based on the severity of injuries and the length of time it takes for you to recover)
- Special damages (covering current and predicted out of pocket expenses as a result of the injury – such as loss of property, medication, aids and equipment, treatment, travel and loss of income).
While we might not be able to say how much personal injury compensation you can expect to get, we are experienced in a wide range of injury claims and should be able to give you an estimate, when we speak.
What is a no win no fee personal injury claim?
In the vast majority of cases, you will be able to pursue your personal injury claim through what’s known as a Conditional Fee Agreement or ‘No Win No Fee’. This means you will not be required to pay legal fees if you do not win your injury claim.
How long does it take to make a personal injury claim?
You usually have three years from the date of an accident or injury to bring a claim – but we’d always advise getting in touch as soon as possible.
Because each claim is different it’s impossible to say exactly how long your claim will take. It will depend on the severity of your injuries and whether or not your opponent admits blame.
A relatively simple claim – like minor whiplash or when the other party admits responsibility – could be settled in a few months. A claim relating to more serious injuries – or a claim where the other party doesn’t admit responsibility – will take longer as we’ll have to seek medical evidence. This is partly so that we can make sure any compensation supports you for your long term medical needs. We may also have to wait to understand the full impact of your injuries because compensation may depend on how long it takes you to heal.
Other factors that could prolong your personal injury claim might include whether it has to go to court when a criminal offence has been committed and police charges also have to be brought and if you’ve been injured in a hit and run accident when the police and insurance companies will be trying to locate the driver.
When will I get my personal injury compensation payments?
We understand that you might need your personal injury compensation to support yourself during treatment and recovery. Once liability has been established (this means that the other side has accepted full or partial responsibility for your accident or injury) you can apply to get what are known as ‘interim compensation payments’. These are early, partial, payments that are paid before the full and final payment of your compensation and go towards living costs (because you’re unable to work), private treatment or rehabilitation. They will be deducted from the final compensation payment when that is eventually paid.
Are there time limits on making a claim for compensation?
You usually have three years from the date of an accident or injury to bring a personal injury claim – but we’d always advise getting in touch as soon as possible.
Will I need a medical examination to make a personal injury claim?
We want to get the very best results for you following your accident or injury. To do this, we need to know not only how serious the injury is but how long it’s likely to take to get better and whether there are going to be any lasting effects. For this reason, we are likely to need to see your medical records and for you to undergo a medical examination. Don’t worry, this will usually only take 20 minutes and be conducted by a medical expert. We’ll discuss all of this in more detail when we speak, to ensure you’re 100% happy that you understand each step of the process.
Personal Injury Accreditations
Client StoriesVIEW ALL
- 5.10.2022
Cyclist Receives £50,000 After Hit by Sports Car
Andrew Middlehurst, a lawyer in the specialist cycling injuries team at Osbornes Law, recently settled a claim for a cyclist...
Read more 
25.7.2022London cyclist struck by 4×4 receives settlement
Andrew Middlehurst, a lawyer in the specialist cycling injuries team at Osbornes Law, recently settled a claim for a cyclist...
Read more
28.2.2022Client left with brain injuries after car accident...
Our Spanish client was the front seat passenger in a car driven by her husband which was involved in a...
Read more
9.1.2022Settlement secured for head injury caused by hammer...
Osbornes Law has secured a £100,000 settlement for her client who suffered serious head injuries after being attacked in prison by...
Read more
17.11.2021£270,000 settlement for school accident
Osbornes Law secures a £270,000 settlement for a Polish woman who slipped as a schoolgirl on a wet floor at school....
Read more- 17.11.2021
£100,000 settlement for tripping at work
Osbornes Law secures £100,000 settlement for Hungarian woman who tripped over a shopping bag at work Siobhan McIvor, a Partner in...
Read more - 17.11.2021
£165,000 settlement for factory accident
Siobhan McIvor, a Partner in the Personal Injury Department of Osbornes Law, has secured a £165,000 settlement, with the help of...
Read more - 16.11.2021
Significant lump sum for below the knee amputation
Mr N, a Romanian man in his 30s, came to the UK to work with his father-in-law in early 2018. He...
Read more 
5.11.2021Seven figure leg amputation settlement
Mr S was walking across the yard at work when he was run over by a forklift truck from behind....
Read more- 26.10.2021
Examples of Serious Head & Brain Injury Settlements
C–v-N Child pedestrian crossing road knocked over by car when running into road sustaining a traumatic brain injury and...
Read more - 6.10.2021
Multi-Million Settlement After Motorbike Accident
Our lawyers achieved a £5m settlement for a 54-year-old man following a motorbike accident. As a result of the accident,...
Read more 
31.8.2021Client pursuing head injury claim after life changing...
A young woman has told of the moment her head was completely scalped and lost her ear when her hair...
Read more
9.8.2021Motorcycle Accident Case Settles for £400,000
Mr C, an Italian man working in a 5 star London hotel was riding a moped home from work at night...
Read more- 9.8.2021
Motorcycle accident case settles for £90,000
Mr H was a hard-working security operative. He and his wife both worked full time and they were planning to...
Read more - 1.7.2021
Limb amputation to pedestrian awarded £1.8million
Our client suffered life-changing injuries as she was walking home from work. A speeding driver lost control of his vehicle...
Read more - 23.6.2021
Osbornes Helps Client Following Amputation at Work
Mr C a young Romanian national, came to this country for work in 2015. He soon found work as a cleaner...
Read more 
17.6.2021Life changing injuries following motorbike accident
Our client, who is from Hungary was riding his motorbike in London when a lorry turned across a junction and...
Read moreSerious Orthopaedic Injury Settlement for £1million
Our client was a 25-year-old Spanish resident who was travelling in his works’ van when the van was hit by...
Read more- 18.5.2021
Construction Site Accident at Work
Our client suffered numerous fractures to their left leg requiring surgery following a work accident on a construction site. He...
Read more - 18.5.2021
Compensation Awarded Following Amputation Accident on Construction Site
Our client worked as a carpenter/bricklayer on a building site at a residential property in North London. He was...
Read more - 17.5.2021
Cyclist receives compensation after taxi driver causes accident
Blanca Diego, a bike accident solicitor in the Osbornes Personal Injury Department, settled a claim for a 30-year-old Spanish cyclist...
Read more 
17.5.2021Spanish cylist receives compensation for South London bike...
Blanca Diego, a bicycle accident solicitor in the Osbornes Personal Injury Team, settled a claim for a 25 year old Spanish...
Read moreLondon Cyclist wins £100,000 compensation following crash
Andrew Middlehurst recently settled a case for a cyclist who injured his shoulder and wrist whilst cycling along a London...
Read more- 15.2.2021
Fatal accident claim settled for £125,000
Fatal Accident case following the death of Mr D who drowned as a result of a boat collision in the...
Read more
