Go-Karting Compensation

A man whose back was burned by a go-kart engine has been awarded £1,500 in compensation.

Richard Batty, 26, was celebrating a friend's birthday at an indoor go-karting centre. As he was racing around the track, he noticed that his back was starting to get hot. When he got out of the vehicle, he lifted up his shirt to find that there was a burn on his lower back.

On examining the go-kart Mr Batty noticed that the foam that should have insulated him from the heat of the engine was inadequate. The burn later began to blister, necessitating a visit to hospital with further follow up treatment required.

Mr Batty was left with scarring on his back and was awarded £1,500 in compensation.

Members of the public who take part in leisure activities such as this have a right to expect that the undertaking is run in such a way as to ensure, so far as is reasonably practicable, that they are not exposed to risks to their health or safety.

For information on health and safety in the entertainment industry generally, see http://www.hse.gov.uk/entertainment/.