In this case an animal research worker at the charity had been lifted and dropped by a drunk visiting Cambridge University scientist. Ms Shelbourne sustained serious back injuries. She sued her employer, rather than the visiting scientist.

It appears that the visiting scientist had lifted (without injury) other party attendees and this fact was used by the appellant to argue that injury was reasonably foreseeable. Actually, the charity had carried out a risk assessment prior to the party but had focussed on ensuring that no one returned to the research areas and on matters such as uneven surfaces.

Readers will be aware of the case of Bellman v Northampton Recruitment Ltd [2018] EWCA Civ 2214, which we reviewed in