Swedish UN driver hurt assembling IKEA sues for £1m

A CHAUFFEUR who worked for Sweden’s ambassador to the UN is suing his former employer for £1.1million after he was injured building an IKEA wardrobe.

Carlos Figueroa, 52, said it was not in his job description to assemble the 8ft by 7ft piece, weighing 225lb, and claims he has been left disabled after falling off a 5ft ladder while putting it together.

A lawsuit filed at New York’s Supreme Court states that in May 2012 Mr Figueroa was told by then ambassador Marten Grunditz – who died last January – to assemble the item alone, despite instructions stating it was a job for two people. He fell off the ladder while trying to hang sliding doors.

The lawsuit states he had surgery because of pressure on his spine and pinched nerves. Figueroa told the New York Post: ‘It’s been very emotional. I’m still in a lot of pain.’

A lawyer for the Swedish Mission did not return calls seeking comment.