UK border guard wins £80,000 compensation for injury

Alan Quartermain, a 66-year-old UK border guard, has won £80,000 in compensation from the Home Office after breaking his ankle during a 14-hour shift on June 3, 2021. He was injured while boarding his boat after rescuing asylum seekers. The court found that the absence of a handrail on the boat contributed to the accident. Quartermain slipped on a contaminated surface while escorting a paramedic. The judge ruled that the Home Office failed to ensure adequate safety measures. Quartermain, who had worked at sea for his entire career, was off work for 11 weeks and later retired due to ongoing health issues. The Home Office was ordered to pay £9,000 in compensation and cover legal costs exceeding £70,000.