Southampton grandmother set to receive personal injury compensation

A Southampton grandmother who made an injury claim after suffering a serious injury, following a fall in Santa's grotto, is set to receive personal injury compensation.

Joan Dufosse, 73, from Hedge End, in Southampton, was visiting Santa's grotto in Selfridges store on Oxford Street, when she tripped over a Christmas bauble which had fallen off a nearby tree.

She fell to the floor, suffering a fracture to her thigh, which required major surgery to insert a plate and screws.

However, in a hearing at Southampton County Court, the judge rejected her claim on the grounds that the bauble was not clearly visible and therefore the staff could not have been expected to remove it.

Following a hearing at the Civil Appeal Court in London, it was agreed that the fall was indeed caused by the negligence of the staff at the Melbry Events Ltd installation.

The exact amount of compensation Mrs Dufosse will now receive has yet to be decided but could be in the region of GBP 30,000.

Posted by Alison Spriggs

Related Articles

02/04/2009 - Pensioner awarded compensation after double misdiagnosis

02/04/2009 - Compensation claim launched for superbug victims

01/04/2009 - Youngster awarded compensation for brain injuries

01/04/2009 - Mechanic awarded compensation for hand injury

31/03/2009 - Landlords warned to ensure gas safety

31/03/2009 - Mod admission 'could allow compensation for nimrod victims'

30/03/2009 - Sofa burn victims struggle for compensation

06/04/2009 - Dodgy diy 'could lead to injury claims'

06/04/2009 - Cyclist awarded injury compensation for pothole

07/04/2009 - Chemical company 'narrowly escaped disaster'