Nothing on the floor: Flawed slip claim fails on causation - Michael Brooks Reid, Temple Garden Chambers
25/06/26. Michael Brooks Reid discusses the decision of Master Armstrong in Seppings v Crampsie & Son Ltd t/a The New Inn Roughton [2026] EWHC 859 (KB), a reminder of the importance of proving causation in EL/PL litigation.
Facts
The claimant was employed as a barmaid at The New Inn, Roughton. In July 2021, during an evening shift, she slipped and fell, sustaining a fracture to her left wrist. The fall occurred shortly before an England football match, on an unusually busy evening.
The claimant alleged that the defendant had failed to provide a safe system of work, conducted no risk assessments, operated no adequate cleaning or inspection regime, and deployed insufficient staff.
The defendant denied liability, contending that a “clean-as-you-go” policy was in operation and that the floor was dry and free of debris at the material time.
Law
Under both the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and in negligence, the defendant’s duty was agreed to be materially the same; to take reasonable care for the safety of the claimant whilst she was on the premises and to ensure that a reasonably safe place of work was provided and maintained. Although the Enterprise and Regulatory Reform Act 2013 removed civil liability for breaches of workplace regulations, requirements under the...
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