Girl injured as DIY store stepladder collapses
- Please select a service...
- Accidents abroad
- Accidents at work
- Amputation claims
- Asbestos claims
- Back injury claim
- Brain injury claim
- Criminal injuries compensation
- Cycle accident claims
- Deafness claim
- Fatal accidents
- Loss of sight claim
- Motorbike accidents
- Public liability claim
- Road traffic accidents
- Road traffic accident compensation
- Spinal cord injury claim
- Sports injury claim
- Whiplash compensation
- Work related diseases
Mr and Mrs X were visiting the defendant's DIY store with their two young children. While Mr & Mrs X were shopping the children walked into an adjacent aisle. The parents heard one of their children cry out in pain and rushed to her assistance. They found that a stepladder in the aisle had collapsed, cutting off the tip of her finger, which had to be saved by surgeons.
The case was made more difficult because neither parent had seen the accident happen, and evidence had to be obtained from both young children. Access Legal from Shoosmiths entered a no-win-no-fee agreement with the child's father, and was able to recover compensation for the child, which was then invested for her benefit when she reaches 18.
What did we do?
Because the accident involved a child under 18, we dealt with her parents on a no-win-no-fee basis.
Access Legal from Shoosmiths wrote to the DIY store explaining what had happened and why we felt the accident was due to its negligence.
We obtained an independent medical report from a consultant hand and plastic surgeon to ensure that the child was not going to have any long-term difficulties as a result of the injury and to check whether the appearance of the injured finger could be improved by private plastic surgery.
A negotiated settlement was agreed between the parties. Because the claim involved a child, we then applied to the Court for approval of the settlement and for the child's damages to be invested until she is 18.
Who dealt with the case?
This case was handled by associate Philip Baldwin, a personal injury department Team Leader. With more than 10 years' experience dealing with claimant and defendant personal injury claims, Philip is also responsible for Access Legal from Shoosmiths' Law Society-accredited Connect2Law personal injury training programme.
Client testimonial
"Mr Philip Baldwin has been outstanding in all respects. I have also been treated with courtesy and utter professionalism. Instructions have been clear and easy to understand, and I have also known the approximate timescale. In my profession I meet many people, but rarely am I impressed. I can safely say that Mr Baldwin sits in this rare group of people. My daughter and I could not have been in safer hands. She has been treated with concern, and Mr Baldwin made the entire Court process friendly and simple to understand."
