Claim news
01/09/2011

Worker wins £21,000 because of poor office lighting

A worker has been successful in her compensation claim after suffering personal injury caused by the lighting in an office where she worked.

The 48-year-old employee from Wrexham had been working for a charitable organisation but was forced to leave her job when the fluorescent lighting used in the office triggered severe migraine attacks.

The woman had repeatedly asked bosses to change the lights which were triggering her headaches but her requests were ignored.

An employment tribunal heard how the head of the charity had purposely arranged a meeting with the worker to discuss her complaint in an office that used lights he knew triggered her migraine attacks.

Following this meeting, the woman went on to launch a grievance against her boss which was then handled inappropriately by the charity trustees and led to her being awarded £21,177 in damages.

Talking after the hearing, the claimant described how the whole experience had made her ill, adding that the situation could have been avoided and that replacement lights could have been fitted for just a few pounds.

The £21,177 compensation claim awarded to the woman also included payment for injury to feelings.