Personal injury news
Personal injury solicitors could claim for inflatable accident
A tragic accident at County Durham involving an inflatable art display has
highlighted the risks of using such devices at staged events.
The exhibit at Chester-le-Street in July was blown over by freak winds, killing two
women and injuring dozens of visitors. A number of people could possibly be
contacting their personal injury solicitors to make a claim for the accident.
The Dreamscape structure was unlike most traditional inflatable devices and
contained a series of tunnels for people to walk through.
Liverpool's arts programme, Brouhaha International, had sent members of staff
to set up the structure and held public liability insurance for the event. The
organisation could now face a massive compensation claim from victims of the
tragedy.
Designer of the inflatable, Maurice Agis, 75, said, "I am deeply grieved and
shocked by what has happened."
The potential risk of inflatable structures has always been present and according
to reports, the number of personal injury claims over the past few years has gone
up. In February this year, a council worker was awarded approximately £34,000
by Newcastle County Court for a back injury he sustained while moving an
inflatable.
The accident in County Durham will force operators to look at their safety
measures when using inflatable structures and hopefully take precautions to
prevent people being injured and having to contact their personal injury solicitors in the future.
Organisers are encouraged to use an approved hirer such as a member of the
British Inflatable Hirers Association to ensure people who are enjoying their event
will not suffer any serious personal injuries from inflatable devices.
