Pensioner secures personal injury compensation
One of Britain's largest retailers has paid an elderly pensioner
£7,500 in personal injury compensation after she accidentally
slipped between food aisles.
Janet Morritt broke her hip after slipping on a puddle of prawn
cocktail at Marks and Spencer's Perth store last year. The trip
forced Ms Morritt to career into a chilled sandwich cabinet and
left the pensioner holed up in hospital for days as she recovered
from the painful break.
She initially challenged the retailer for £30,000 in
compensation after doctors inserted a metal plate into her hip.
Since then, she has struggled with a constant limp and is no longer
able to drive her car around the Scottish city.
Ms Morritt claimed the shop was to blame by allowing the prawn
cocktail sauce and water from a Valentine's Day flower display to
lie on the floor unattended.
The pensioner's writ said her left foot slipped and she tried to
save herself by clutching the flower stand. The action claimed that
the accident was "caused by the fault and negligence of the
defenders".
It added: "As she did so, her right foot slipped. She was unable
to save herself and fell to the ground. Her back was jammed against
the display cabinet behind her."
Marks and Spencer denied that it was at fault, claiming that the
lady had a personal duty to watch where she was stepping. The store
told the court: "She failed in her duties and materially
contributed to any loss, injury or damaged sustained. But for her
failure the accident would not have happened."
However, a judge ruled that the store was to blame and awarded
the £7,500 personal injury compensation claim to the local
resident.