Personal injury solicitor news
22/01/2008

Women hurt in West Sussex wood incident

An elderly lady and her daughter have consulted personal injury solicitors about making compensation claims after they were hurt when a stack of timber collapsed on top of them.

The West Sussex women were walking past a DIY store in Lancing when a pile of timber suddenly toppled over, leaving them crushed on the pavement and unable to move.

Passers-by rushed to their aid and freed the frightened pair, who were then rushed to hospital by paramedics. Amazingly, no bones were broken but the women did receive extensive cuts and bruises and were forced to use wheelchairs for the next two months.

Recalling the horrifying incident, the daughter told a journalist: "As we were going along I just heard this horrible rumbling sound, like an avalanche, and as I looked round I could see it [the timber] starting to topple.

"My first thought was for my mother because she's in her 80s. I yelled to her to move quickly but it was too late. She fell with her back against the kerb and was crying out because it was hurting her so much."

The DIY store responsible for the pile of planks have been fined for breaching health and safety regulations and a West Sussex environmental health manager said: "This case shows how failure to spend time managing health and safety can impact adversely on the public and businesses."

The injured women have now contacted a local firm of personal injury solicitors who they hope will be able to help them make a joint no win, no fee compensation claim against the owners of the DIY store.