A man who sustained serious head injuries following an accident at a work’s team bonding day is to sue his employer for compensation.
Simon Reynolds, 49, was participating in a cycle race organised by the Canterbury Branch of the Strutt & Parker Estate Agents firm, where he worked. It was a team bonding day which took place in the Fowlmead Country Park in Sholden.
Mr Reynolds was involved in a collision with a colleague and was knocked from his bike, sustaining head injuries as he hit the ground. This caused permanent brain damage.
The planning consultant is now set to sue his former employer, believing that the firm did not carry out the proper risk assessments for the event and did not enforce the wearing of safety helmets. The company denies negligence in organising the event, and the case is soon to be resolved in a London court hearing.
This case demonstrates how important it is for companies to have professional insurance cover for employees falling ill or getting injured in work-related situations. Although situations such as what happened to Mr Reynolds may be covered under employers’ liability insurance, it may also be worth considering taking out event insurance for large-scale activities that take place outside of the workplace.