The accident
An 11-year-old girl suffered a serious knee injury while enjoying a day at a leisure club swimming pool with her grandmother.
Whilst in the pool, she placed her hands on the pool wall near the slide. An exposed underwater light fitting disc protruding from the wall caused a deep laceration to her knee, leaving her with a significant gash and a permanent scar.
Although the incident was not captured on CCTV, it was immediately reported, and the leisure club retained disclosure evidence relating to the accident.
The injuries
The accident resulted in:
- A deep laceration to the knee.
- A permanent scar.
- Pain, distress and ongoing cosmetic concerns for a young child.
To fully assess the long-term impact of the injury, we arranged for the child to be examined by an independent consultant plastic surgeon, ensuring the medical evidence accurately reflected the extent of her injuries and future prognosis.
The claim
The family instructed us promptly after the accident, allowing us to secure evidence while it was still available. Acting quickly following an accident can make a significant difference to the strength of a personal injury claim.
Despite the evidence gathered, the leisure club denied responsibility and defended the claim.
We issued Court proceedings against the Defendant. They filed a Defence disputing liability, and the Court gave directions requiring both parties to exchange evidence.
During the litigation, the Defendant made an initial settlement offer. After carefully advising our client, we rejected the offer because it did not properly reflect the severity of the injury and permanent scarring.
We continued negotiations while preparing the case for trial.
The outcome
Our persistence paid off.
Following further negotiations, we secured a settlement of £6,500 for the injured child—significantly higher than the Defendant’s original offer.
As the claimant was under 18, the compensation was approved by the Court and invested through the Court Funds Office, where it will accrue interest until it is released to her when she turns 18.
The sooner you seek legal advice after an accident, the better. Early instruction allows important evidence to be preserved, witnesses to be contacted, and independent medical examinations to be arranged before crucial information is lost.
If you or your child has been injured due to someone else’s negligence, our experienced personal injury lawyers are here to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.