Accident Victim Receives Compensation from Leicestershire Shopping Centre

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Highcross Shopping Centre in Leicestershire has been ordered to pay compensation, described as ‘significant’ to a woman after she was injured in a fall whilst shopping at the centre.

Liverpool, Merseyside, United Kingdom., January 13, 2012 - (PressReleasePoint) -
Highcross Shopping Centre in Leicestershire has been ordered to pay compensation, described as ‘significant’ to a woman after she was injured in a fall whilst shopping at the centre.
 
Gweneth Bowler, 63, fractured her right hip and shoulder after slipping on a wet floor on the premises. As a result she was taken to hospital and received ongoing treatment for her injuries over a prolonged period of time.
 
After admitting liability, Hammerson PLC who own the shopping centre will pay personal injury compensation to Mrs Bowler.
 
A health and safety investigation into the incident has been carried out and new measures introduced to prevent similar accidents and accident claims in the future.
 
Mrs Bowler said: “We parked in the car park and I began walking towards the bridge to the shops but didn’t get very far.
 
“As I was going through the doors to the bridge, all of a sudden my leg went from under me.
“I’m still recovering. I was upset about it at the time and still am.”
 
She added: “I just didn’t want it to happen to anybody else.”
 
The investigation into the incident was prompted by a letter from Mrs Bowler to Leicester City Council.
 
A spokesman for the council said: “The Health and Safety Executive expert advised the surface in the bridge posed a high risk of slipping when it was wet, as well as evidence of inadequate cleaning.”
Recommendations included the installation of mats at every entrance to the store, reviews of the centre cleaning process and improved water drainage. Since the investigation was carried out, each measure has now been implemented.
 
The spokesman continued: “Highcross reported five slips and trips to us from throughout the site during December 2010 and January 2011, from which people needed to be taken for hospital treatment. The company’s records also show another six more minor slips.
 
“The average number of people using the bridge link in December 2010 was 20,000 a day.”
The shopping centre said in a statement: “We regret the injuries caused in this case, and sympathise with the associated distress.
 
“An environmental officer from the council visited the site after the incident and made recommendations to improve health safety in the area, which we implemented.”