Posted By Raymond Rapp Brian As far as I am concerned the onus for ensuring a safe environment lies with the proprietor. The artist should also have ensured that he did not leave any potential tripping hazards, but you will not get any recompense from him. Your options appear to be a) contact the proprietor direct b) seek an opinion from a solicitor with a view to making a claim. Ray

Posted By darren booth i would agree that the proprietor was responsible for providing a safe environment for his patrons. why not write to the manager or phone them ,pointing out their responibilities in the eyes of the law.you might find they are a little more responsive when the realities are facing them. a free night out and a grovelling apology would be the very least i would hope for.

Posted By Brett Day Given that there are such things as radio mikes that are normally used when performers are wandering around in the audience I can't see why cables should be left about in a public area. When I used to crew if we had cables running across a public area, we put rubber mats over the cable (as well as stopping trips it protected the cable) or we put gaffa tape over the cable and taped it down. Just leaving it there is a non no.

Posted By Lilian McCartney If you wish to stop this happening again I suggest you contact the hotel again expressing your concerns. If you feel that you don't wish to do this because of their previous response then contact the local Env. Health poeple (who I think enforce in hotels). If its not them they'll advise its HSE. If you say to Env. Health/HSE that you 'have a concern' after an accident, explaining the circumstances, then they are duty bound to investigate. In addition, or instead, you could write to the hotel (if chain they're HQ) explaining that they have broken their duty of care and that you are seeking suitable recompense for the injury. Using the correct language and including the three things: owe duty of care, broke duty of care, damage resulted usually brings some sort of favourable response or at least a starting point. I've only used this for minor injuries when I've thought that the organisation have been completely awful about the whole situation e.g. very rude, offhand, dismissive, no adequate first aid or assistance etc. When they've been okay and I've seen them taking action to prevent future occurrences I've not bothered (that is helping others who tend to come to me being in H&S) For major injuries I advise that their solicitors or Trade unions deal with it. With all things I think preventing future occurrences is very important and some times this can only be achieved by complaining or claiming.

Posted By Is Kismet John, how have you read all that into my response? I was trying to give an idea of one reason why there wasn't an immediate apology - a real life situation, that happens frequently. Please explain your attitude/comments.

Posted By Brian Kane Thanks for your comments. I have waited all day for the manager of the hotel to ring with an apology (as the hotel said he would) but to no avail. I will write to him expressing my concerns and their responsibilities to their clients and take it from there. Fortunately it was only bruising sustained but it could have been worse.

Posted By DJ Any legal action for damages would be taken against the hotel (although in fact it would be its insurer) and it would join the artist. If this is the chosen course of action, I would suggest not going to a 'claims farmer' as their fees can often be much higher and you have much less legal protection. Any good personal injury solicitor would be able to advise and they will usually take the case on a conditional fee arrangement (no-win no-fee). A list of such solicitors local to you is available on the Law Society's website. I hope this helps. DJ

Posted By BAK ???