2025
The case was complicated as testing of the material surface was impossible and slip resistance had to be estimated from available alternative surfaces and measurements. Despite a very well regarded opposing expert the case was settled in the favour of Ben's instructing solicitors.
2023
Ben was asked to provide a desktop report considering CCTV, witness statements, accident reports, cleaning regimes, singage, test data, anti-slip treatments and weather reports. The matter was settled before reaching court, in favour of Ben's instructing solicitors.
2022
In this case the slip accident was not disputed, but there were arguments around application of testing and effects of cleaning and wear. The Judge preferred Ben's testing evidence, which was shown to closely follow best practice, over that of an experienced but less specialised career expert witness.
Ben's career has focussed on conducting industry best-practice slip testing and risk assessment, on a daily basis, since 2007. Few in the industry, even those with longer tenure, will have conducted as many slip risk assessments, or be experienced in such a wide range of environments, surfaces and scenarios.
Ben contributes to the standards that lead the industry; a named contributor to the latest UK Slip Resistance Group Guidelines and an active member of the British Standards B/507/7 comittee responsible for BS EN 16165:2021 (Pedestrian Slip Resistance).
Ben spends most of his time helping clients understand the slip risk in their premises, as opposed to a career expert witness focussed solely on court cases. Nonetheless, he has contributed to numerous cases, had the judge prefer his evidence, and given evidence in the High Court.
Slip testing is an unregulated technical field where small mistakes can undermine results in Court. Ben has tested for 3 different UKAS accredited labs (required to prove competence of their test operators), regularly takes part in comparative and proficiency testing schemes and is named as the trainer on more than 100 operator's certificates.