A man has obtained compensation for injuries he sustained on a package holiday in Cape Verde when a member of staff at the hotel where he was staying kneed him in the back of the leg.
The incident, which was described by the hotel operator as ‘a misguided attempt at a playful interaction’, occurred when he was using the hotel’s pool area. He felt his knee click and go out of place, and fell to the ground. He was unable to move and the staff member, who repeatedly apologised, took him to reception in a wheelchair.
He was taken to a local hospital. He had to delay his flight home as the incident had occurred on the second-last day of his holiday, and he needed two extra seats on the plane so that his knee was supported. On his return to the UK, he underwent an MRI scan which showed that he had a torn ligament and needed surgery. He continues to experience pain in his knee from time to time, especially in cold weather.
After receiving an unsatisfactory response from the package holiday provider, he brought a claim and received compensation of £18,000. The provider subsequently apologised for the distress caused by the incident.