Pages On: Public Place Accidents

Horse rider wins £7000 in compensation after fall due to faulty gate

Posted: 4 April 2016

Posted in: Leg Injuries, Public Place Accidents, Shoulder Injuries, Spine & Back Injuries, Sporting Injuries

A horse rider has won £7,000 in compensation after claiming that a gate on a public bridleway caused her horse to bolt.  The rider fell from her horse leaving her with a fractured right shoulder and soft tissue damage to her chest, back and right leg. The gate, which was badly maintained, sprung back as she was passing through which subsequently caused her horse to bolt. The claimant’s husband had previously complained to the council about the gate, stating that it was in a frequently used public area, and that it…

Six-figure payout for man left disabled by E Coli contracted on holiday

Posted: 2 March 2016

Posted in: Accidents and Sickness Abroad, Food Poisoning, Restaurant Accidents

18-year-old Bradie Perkins from Earl Shilton, Leicestershire, has just won a six-figure compensation pay-out after being left with disabilities following the contracting of E Coli whilst on holiday in Turkey in 2010. Bradie, who was 13 at the time, contracted a potentially deadly strain of the illness, which has left his kidneys functioning at “two-thirds” of their normal ability. The illness was allegedly caused by poor food hygiene at the resort in which his family were holidaying. Could not fulfill his ambition of joining the navy Mr Perkins’ family were staying at…

Tayside councils pay-out over £700K in compensation claims in 4 years

Posted: 2 January 2016

Posted in: Gym & Leisure Centre Accidents, Public Place Accidents, Road Traffic Accidents, School Accidents, Workplace Injuries

Councils in Tayside have paid out more than £700k in compensation claims since 2012 according to figures just published. The council paying out the most in compensation is Angus who has handed out over £343,000. The local authority pay-outs have been to both members of staff and members of the general public. The claims relate to defective footpaths, theft, damage to property and cars by grass cutting as well as injuries caused in schools and parks. £16K paid out for defective footpath In excess of £100k has been awarded following employer liability…

Thousands paid to Scottish teachers in accident compensation

Posted: 30 December 2015

Posted in: Criminal Injury and Assault, Head and Brain Injuries, School Accidents, Workplace Injuries, Workplace Slip

An annual report has revealed that a total of £180,000 was paid out to Scottish teachers and lecturers in 2013/14 in compensation. This figure has shown a dramatic decrease on the previous year, where a total of £300,000 was paid out. The report highlighted the highest payment, which saw a teacher being awarded £50,000 after suffering severe injuries from falling and hitting their head on ice in the school playground. Another teacher won over £3,000 after accidentally being hit in the face with a musical instrument. Educational Institute of Scotland…

Pothole damage includes six-figure back injury claim

Posted: 28 October 2015

Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries, Pedestrian Injuries, Pothole Injuries, Public Place Accidents, Road Traffic Accidents, Spine & Back Injuries

A recent Freedom of Information request has revealed that a total of £610,000 in compensation claims was filed against the Highland Council in the last six years because of potholes and poorly maintained pavements. One of the claims saw a member of the public awarded a six-figure payout after falling in February 2012 and suffering a severe back injury. Inverness Central councillor Richard Laird said that the council was “reaping what it sowed” after years of failing to adequately maintain the roads and pavements. It was found that of the…

Legal action after man hits another with golf ball

Posted: 25 October 2015

Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries, Public Place Accidents, Sporting Injuries

A man has launched legal action against an Aberdeenshire golf club after he was hit by a ball outside his home. Army veteran Terry Gosling was forced to spend five days in hospital after being hit on the head by the ball near Alford Golf Club. The 75-year-old has taken legal action against the club, who were hosting the Gents Open when the accident happened on 27 June. It was heard in court that the responsible player had hooked his shot too far to the left, which resulted in the…

Pensioner wins £10k following serious personal injury

Posted: 10 October 2015

Posted in: Knee Injury, Public Place Accidents, Shop Accidents

An 81-year-old woman has been awarded £10,000 in injury compensation after being pushed to the ground by a shopping centre’s automatic doors. Theresa Kean, from Dundee, had been walking through the doors at the Wellgate shopping centre in October 2011 when the incident happened. It was heard that a disabled access button activated the doors, which she pushed, yet the doors only remained open for a very short amount of time. The doors pushed her to the ground, causing her to suffer severe chest and knee injuries. “highlights the responsibilities…

Children treated following chemical leak at leisure centre

Posted: 30 August 2015

Posted in: Gym & Leisure Centre Accidents, Public Place Accidents

A total of nineteen people, including five children, have been treated for breathing difficulties following a chemical leak in a Fife leisure centre. The leak happened at the East Sands centre at around midday on 25 August; emergency services were called directly to the scene. A number of casualties, including young children between 2 and 12, were taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee, where they received emergency treatment. The Scottish Fire Service said that they believed the casualties to have been exposed to the chemical sodium hypochlorite. NHS Tayside, however,…

Schoolboy dies after industrial accident during work placement

Posted: 21 August 2015

Posted in: School Accidents, Workplace Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A young schoolboy was killed last week in an industrial accident during his time on a work placement in Aberdeenshire. 17-year-old Michael McLean was found unconscious at Denholm Oilfield Services in Inverurie last Friday, before being rushed to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary. Doctors were unable to revive him, and his life-support machine was later switched off. The teenager from Kincorth in Aberdeen had been on his last day of a summer placement with the company when the accident happened. The boy’s father, Mark McLean, works for the company and had secured…

M&S fall victim receives hospital treatment and no apology

Posted: 28 July 2015

Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries, Public Place Accidents, Shop Accidents

65-year-old Jennifer Buchanan had to be rushed to Ninewells Hospital with a head injury after slipping outside her local Marks and Spencer. Mrs Buchanan said that she slipped on the wet ground outside the entrance of M&S in June, causing her to hit her head off the ground. It was reported last week that two women are suing the firm after suffering broken bones from slipping at the front door of the same store in Murraygate. Both incidents occurred after heavy rainfall. Mrs Buchanan said that she felt greatly let…

Golfer to payout £10,000 in compensation to fellow sportsman

Posted: 1 June 2015

Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries, Personal Injury, Public Place Accidents, Sporting Injuries

A golfer from Lanarkshire is being forced to pay £10,000 in compensation to a fellow golfer who suffered serious injuries as a result of his ‘mis-hit ball’. 46-year-old John Ure was playing at Bellshill Golf Club when an erroneous drive hit him directly on the head with such force that he fell to the ground. Mr Ure suffered serious injuries as a result of the incident, for which he required hospital treatment. He raised action against golfer Stewart Muir for his injuries. Mr Muir offered his sincerest apologies to Mr…

Boy's neck broken at same Edinburgh school that crushed girl to death

Posted: 16 February 2015

Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries, Neck Injuries, Public Place Accidents, School Accidents

A young boy is currently recovering after breaking his neck in the gym hall of his Edinburgh school. The accident happened less than a year after a pupil was crushed to death by a wall at the same school. 12-year-old Alan Ramsay had been swinging on a goal post in his PE class at Liberton High School when it collapsed, knocking him unconscious and causing him to suffer several broken bones, including his neck and jaw. Fellow pupils crowded in terror as he lay unconscious for three minutes. He was immediately…

Cyclists to sue Edinburgh council for injuries caused by tram tracks

Posted: 25 January 2015

Posted in: Bicycle Accidents, Bus Accidents, Foot Injuries, Head and Brain Injuries, Public Place Accidents, Public Transport, Shoulder Injuries

Following numerous cases of cyclists severely injuring themselves on Edinburgh’s new tram tracks, a lawyer is taking the City of Edinburgh Council to court. Stewart White said that the council was responsible for the injuries suffered by his 60 clients, and argues that something should be done about it. Injuries caused by the tracks include broken jaws, collarbones and cheekbones, as well as a broken foot after a bus drove over it. Mr White said the clients he will be representing are only a very small percentage of people that…

Woman dies in hospital blaze

Posted: 18 January 2015

Posted in: Medical Negligence, Public Place Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

An elderly woman died after a fire broke out at the Western General Hospital in Edinburgh. Fire crews were immediately called to the scene after the fire broke out in the Royal Victoria building at around 02:28. The fire crew managed to move fourteen patients from the ward to another complex, but a 75-year-old woman died as a result. The Royal Victoria building is the part of the hospital that specialises in treating the elderly. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service was immediately contacted through an automatic fire alarm call.…

Bin lorry crash victim released from hospital

Posted: 30 December 2014

Posted in: Public Place Accidents, Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Following the tragic accident that saw six killed on 22 December in Glasgow, one of the victims has been released from hospital. The 18-year-old was released today following the bin lorry crash that happened in George Square just before Christmas. The teenager had been receiving treatment in a Glasgow hospital. NHS Greater Glasgow Clyde said that three people are still receiving hospital treatment following the tragic accident. These include the 57-year-old driver of the bin lorry who is being treated at the Western Infirmary and is believed to be in…

Scottish councils pay out millions in damages

Posted: 29 December 2014

Posted in: Pothole Injuries, Public Place Accidents, Workplace Injuries, Workplace Slip

New figures have revealed that Scottish councils have paid out millions of pounds in damages over the last five years alone. The data, obtained by BBC Scotland, found that £15.5million was paid out to claimants, with claims including workplace violence and dangerous science experiments. The most compensation was paid out to pothole and water-related claims, with potholes costing Glasgow council £1.7million since 2000. The data was gathered through a number of freedom of information requests. Despite the magnitude of the figures, it actually found an overall decrease in council payouts. The…

Bollard that killed young boy was ‘unstable’

Posted: 20 November 2014

Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries, Public Place Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

A court has heard that the bollard responsible for the death of a young boy at the Royal Highland Show in 2008 was ‘unstable’. Three-year-old Ben Craggs died from severe head injuries after the concrete bollard toppled onto him at the showground six years ago. The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland denies all eight charges brought under the Health and Safety at Work Act, despite farmer Stephen Crawford saying that he thought two of the bollards to have been ‘unstable’. Failed to secure the bollards with clamping Mr…

Mystery Ski lift fault leaves eight injured

Posted: 28 August 2014

Posted in: Falls from Heights, Public Place Accidents

After eight people were injured on a ski chair-lift in Aberdeenshire, the operators will not face prosecution. The accident happened in February of last year at the Lecht Ski Centre in Corgarff in Aberdeenshire. It was heard that while some skiers were left stranded in the air for over an hour, others fell about 20ft (6m) to the ground. Eight people, including five children, were hospitalised, and a further 30 people required rescuing. It was heard that a connecting mechanism on the chair-lift became damaged, causing some of the chairs to…

Poundland pays compensation to pensioner injured by display

Posted: 24 August 2014

Posted in: Hip Injuries, Leg Injuries, Public Place Accidents, Shop Accidents

An 86-year-old woman from Bridge of Earn, Perthshire, is to receive £3,000 in compensation after a display of batteries collapsed on her in a Poundland store. Peggy Dempsey suffered serious injuries in the incident in 2012, and required weeks of physiotherapy before she was able to walk properly again. The accident happened at the Perth branch of Poundland, whereby a poorly stacked display of batteries collapsed on top of her. The batteries had been stacked on only one side of the display, causing it to topple over and injure Mrs Dempsey’s…

15 injured on T in the Park funfair ride

Posted: 24 July 2014

Posted in: Public Place Accidents

An investigation has been launched to uncover how fifteen people were injured on a funfair ride at T in the Park earlier this month. The annual weekend music festival saw around 85,000 fans attend Balado each day, alongside an estimated 70,000 campers. The accident happened on the campsite’s 200ft high Star Flyer when it stopped too fast, injuring 15 riders. The ride was closed following the accident so as organisers could examine the machinery. A similar accident happened in December last year when a seat fell off the ride in Edinburgh. An individual…

Footballers should be protected from concussion risk

Posted: 17 July 2014

Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries, Sporting Injuries

The footballers’ union FIFPro has called for an investigation to be launched into how concussion protocols could be introduced into the sport. It has been argued that an independent doctor, as opposed to the player or coach, should make the decision regarding whether a player should return to the pitch following a head injury. It has been stated in a journal in ‘The Lancet Neurology’ that these decisions should not be made “by those with a vested interest”. This debate was sparked by the recent World Cup whereby many of the players…

Motorsport safety review scheduled after 3 spectator deaths at car rally

Posted: 4 June 2014

Posted in: Car Accidents, Public Place Accidents, Road Traffic Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Following the deaths of three spectators at a car rally in the Borders, the Justice Secretary has announced that a review of motorsport safety in Scotland is to be carried out. The individuals who lost their lives on Saturday were Iain John Provan (64), Elizabeth Allan (63), both from Barrhead, and John Leonard Stern (71) from Bearsden. Kenny MacAskill, the Justice Secretary, said that lessons had to be learned from the accident so that it does not happen again. The review aims to include Police Scotland, The Motor Sports Association, Scottish…

Claimant loses compensation bid following seagull attack

Posted: 19 May 2014

Posted in: Public Place Accidents, Shop Accidents

A woman who made a claim after she was injured by a swooping seagull has lost her legal bid for £7,000 in compensation. Cathie Kelly said that she tried desperately to avoid the dive-bombing bird outside the Ladyburn Business Center in Greenock. With the belief that the owners of the building had not taken sufficient care of her safety, she raised legal action against them. Mrs Kelly’s claim was rejected by a judge at the Court of Succession after the hearing highlighted that it could not know where the attacking seagull…

Fife Council Fined for Gas Leak

Posted: 5 May 2014

Posted in: Public Place Accidents

A gas leak that put workers and the public at risk has resulted in Fife Council being fined £24,000. Homes, businesses and a primary school had to be evacuated when Council employees carrying out drainage works struck an underground gas pipe in 2010.No one was injured, and no damage was caused to property. However, an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found that the public were put at risk of injury or death by an easily preventable incident that resulted in tonnes of gas being released. HSE Inspector…

1,000 injured in Scotland’s crumbling schools

Posted: 8 April 2014

Posted in: Public Place Accidents, School Accidents, Workplace Injuries

Over the last year, around 1,000 staff members and pupils have suffered injuries as a result of the poor structural condition of Scotland’s schools. The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) received more than 600 reports of accidents involving pupils and visitors at educational institutions in Scotland, with most of them requiring hospital treatment. On top of this, they also received over 400 reports of teachers and school staff badly injured.  Schools have been advised by the HSE to only report serious injuries caused by either “the condition of the premises”, inadequate supervision…

Several schools walls cordoned off following death

Posted: 4 April 2014

Posted in: Public Place Accidents, School Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

Following the death of 12-year-old schoolgirl Keane Wallis-Bennett, multiple walls have been cordoned off around Edinburgh believed to be structurally unstable. Keane was fatally injured after a freestanding wall collapsed and crushed her at Liberton High School on Tuesday. As a result of the shocking incident, structural checks have been carried out across Edinburgh, with many areas being cordoned off as a result. Similar unstable walls have been identified in the changing rooms and toilets of Leith Academy and Castlebrae High School, alongside eleven of the city’s primary schools. A spokesperson from…

Paralysed artist pays £180 a week for care on NHS hospital ward

Posted: 31 March 2014

Posted in: Accidents and Sickness Abroad, Medical Negligence, Spine & Back Injuries

A man who is paralysed from the neck down has to pay £180 a week to receive care on an NHS hospital ward after his living allowance benefit was cut. Edward Rainey (52) has suffered with paralysis since 1984 when he was involved in a swimming accident on holiday. Since the accident, Mr Rainey was able to live in his house in Pollock, Glasgow, but social workers have advised him to go into a care home, or lose his benefits. Edward Rainey is paralysed from the neck down and was “strongly…

Glasgow pothole problems reduced significantly

Posted: 10 February 2014

Posted in: Pothole Injuries, Road Traffic Accidents

A recent report by Glasgow City Council has found that the number of complaints made by the public concerning potholes is currently the lowest it has been in years. Over the last year alone, Glasgow City Council has injected a total of £5.3m into pothole repairs, with the number of compensation claims falling by 36%. Claims involved personal injury claims and compensation for damaged vehicles, both of which have seen a major decrease since road repairs. The council completed over 15,000 permanent pothole repairs, which is the greatest number ever managed…

Drop in compensation claims within teaching profession

Posted: 26 January 2014

Posted in: School Accidents, Workplace Injuries

Scotland’s largest teaching union has recognised a decline in workplace compensation claims made by those in the teaching profession in 2013. With numerous accidents occurring in the teaching profession every year, the Educational Institute of Scotland saw £300,000 worth of compensation claims made in 2013, compared with £1.5 million in 2012. This has highlighted that health and safety standards are improving across Scotland’s schools. The general secretary of the Institute of Scotland said: “This is actually a positive development, as it highlights that there have been fewer very serious injuries to teachers…

Pensioner’s wheelchair fall from medical lift on bus investigated

Posted: 25 November 2013

Posted in: Head and Brain Injuries, Leg Injuries, Medical Negligence, Public Place Accidents, Public Transport

The Scottish Borders Council is currently investigating why a 75-year-old pensioner fractured her skull when her wheelchair fell from a minibus just outside her care home. The incident occurred on Thursday the 14th of November, and Margaret Bell has remained in the Borders General Hospital since. Mrs. Bell, from Galasheils, was being assisted out of the minibus by a medical lift at the Oakview Day Centre when she fell to the ground. The Scottish Borders Council is investigating the incident so that it definitely does not happen again. The investigation will allow a…

Tom Gadsby dies competing in horse trials

Posted: 21 August 2013

Posted in: Personal Injury, Sporting Injuries, Wrongful & Accidental Death

26-year-old Tom Gadsby died on the weekend while competing at The Somerford Park international horse trials in Congleton. The young rider from New Zealand took a fall on the final day of the event during the cross-country, and was pronounced dead at the scene. Olympic riders and eventers from all around the world attended to compete in the event at the River Dane valley site, which began on Friday. However, the competition was abandoned following Tom Gadsby’s fall on Sunday. Had been in Europe to fulfil his dream The head of Equestrian Sports New…

Legionnaires’ outbreak in Edinburgh cost NHS £750,000

Posted: 24 July 2013

Posted in: Industrial Deafness and Disease, Personal Injury, Public Place Accidents, Wrongful & Accidental Death

After Edinburgh saw an outbreak of Legionnaires’ disease that killed four people last year, a report has unveiled the overall cost to the NHS — £750,000. Despite the fact that the root cause of the viral spread has not yet been pinpointed, the death of these four individuals prompted an NHS payout to cover further hospital admissions and advanced staffing. Further additions to the bill included medication, lab costs and public information. The outbreak was restricted mainly to the south-west of Edinburgh, with the report pinpointing a source around the…

Children at Edinburgh primary school targeted by airgun pellets

Posted: 3 June 2013

Posted in: Criminal Injury and Assault, Personal Injury, School Accidents

An arrest has been made following the terror caused by an airgun attack that took place on Thursday at an Edinburgh primary school.  The airgun-user mysteriously targeted a total of 10 children as they were playing in the playground of their school, Gilmerton Primary, at lunchtime. One child, a young girl who was attacked with her friends, described her minor injuries: “I got shot twice on my thumb, and it started bleeding”. Other children reported redness and bruising following the incident — but luckily there were no fatal injuries.  Shortly after the…

Damages awarded for injury at stately home

Posted: 22 January 2013

Posted in: Foot Injuries, Public Place Accidents

A grandfather has been awarded £8,750 in damages after he injured his ankle falling into a ditch in the grounds of Hopetoun House, reports the BBC. The court had initially awarded John Cowan damages of £35,000, however the judge reduced this amount by 75% to reflect the contributory negligence on the part of the Mr Cown. The accident happened when Mr Cowan and his grandson went on a guided bat walk in the grounds of the Hopetoun House. At the end of the walk, he took his grandson to the…

Accident Abroad Injury Claims

Posted in: Accidents and Sickness Abroad, Public Place Accidents

Being injured abroad may well be even more traumatic than being injured at home. If you are injured in a foreign country you may not speak the language or have the support of family or friends. In addition, the country you are living or working in may have less sympathetic personal injury law than the UK does. What If I’ve Been Injured Overseas? You may also have a claim if you are injured in transit. Accidents at sea or in the air are covered by specific international laws which may…

Slips, Trips & Falls in Aberdeen

Posted in: Public Place Accidents, Workplace Slip

If you have suffered an injury as a result of a slip, trip or fall in a public place, you may be able to claim compensation. The amount you are able to claim depends on the type and severity of your injury. Personal Injury Claims Aberdeen can help you get the compensation you are entitled to. Contact us for more information in making a personal injury claim in Aberdeen. Injury In Public Lawyers Aberdeen Among the most common types of injury are those caused by trips or falls in public…