Personal injury news

Pensioner could make accident claim for personal injury

A pensioner who injured herself when she fell on a display stand at a Comet store in Lynn could be eligible to make an accident claim for compensation.

Jean Smith, who is in her late 70s, was looking at fridge freezers at the Hardwick Industrial Estate store when she suddenly fell over an empty plinth.

Ms Smith suffered personal injuries in the fall and was taken to the Accident and Emergency department at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The pensioner was lucky to escape a head injury in the accident but sustained a fractured finger and was treated for cuts to her nose and lips.

Charges were brought against the Comet store under the Health and Safety Act for failing to keep the workplace free from obstruction and failing to ensure people were not exposed to a health and safety risk.

Prosecuting for the health and safety authority at West Norfolk Council, Teresa Campion said the store had a policy to replace items from the plinth as soon they were sold but staff at the Lynn branch failed to carry this out.

The electronic store was fined £11,000 for the pensioner's fall and ordered to pay £3,400 in costs.

Comet spokesperson, Michael Elliker, said, "The company has had a system in place to avoid this kind of accident happening."

"An employee didn't follow that system, but Comet accepts responsibility for that manager. A mistake was made, which the company very much regrets."

In the future, Ms Smith may be able to make an accident claim following her hospital treatment for personal injury compensation.