An 83-year-old woman has obtained compensation for injuries she suffered when she was hit by a large sign outside a supermarket.
The sign was caught by a gust of wind and hit her legs as she was leaving the supermarket. She suffered lacerations to her shins. She had to visit her GP regularly for her dressings to be changed in order to prevent infection. Her daughter helped her with domestic tasks while she recovered from her injuries.
She brought a claim under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, alleging that the supermarket had failed to ensure that the sign was safe and had failed to take sufficient precautions, such as removing the sign during windy weather. The supermarket admitted liability but its initial settlement offer was rejected as being too low.
After medical evidence was obtained and court proceedings were commenced, the supermarket made an offer to settle her claim for £11,500, which she accepted. As well as compensating her for her pain and suffering, the settlement includes sums for her travel expenses and the support provided by her daughter.