Kathryn Bull from our personal injury department dealt with a claim for Mrs. W from Wrexham who had gone into a local pub to watch the rugby with her friend. As she was leaving the pub, she lost her footing on the steps and fell. The steps were dangerous and defective, being of various and inconsistent heights. The steps were also unlit and there was no handrail.
As Mrs. W was a lawful visitor to the pub within the meaning of the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 and the defendant owed her a duty of care, we presented a claim to the defendant and liability was admitted by the defendant’s insurers.
As a result of the accident, Mrs. W who was approaching her 50th birthday suffered injury, pain, and financial loss. She had a tri-malleolar fracture to her ankle which required external fixation followed by open reduction and internal fixation. She had permanent swelling in her ankle as well as scarring and ongoing chronic pain which limited her ability to walk and to deal with domestic activities. She was unable to do aerobics or swimming. Due to the injury, she suffered with symptoms of PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder) and depression and developed Situational Anxiety Disorder which required treatment.
As part of the claims process, we were able to arrange for Mrs. W to undergo private physiotherapy and CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy). We were able to claim for the time spent by her partner and daughter providing care and assistance. Additionally, we were able to claim for clothing i.e. her jeans were cut off in A&E, and her jacket was ripped at the elbow during the fall.
Mrs. W was very happy when we recovered £27,500 in compensation for her injuries and financial losses.
