At the time of the accident, the client was shopping alone in Lidl on a busy Saturday afternoon.  He was using a trolley and was toward the end of an aisle close to the checkout area.

He saw a member of staff pushing a large industrial cleaning machine, heading towards the tills at speed.  The operator had to turn sharply to avoid colliding with customers who were queuing at the checkouts, but in doing so, she hit our client’s trolley, forcing him to collide with another customer’s trolley.

Our client took the brunt of the impact and sustained injury to the elbow and wrist of his right arm.  The operative did not apologise. Our client reported the incident to a member of staff who completed an accident form, said he would report it to head office and would be in touch with the client.  However, our client has never heard anything from Lidl.

The client attended his local hospital’s minor injuries unit, where he was told he was suffering from a stress trauma injury that lasted for a few weeks.  As a keen swimmer, he was not able to swim properly for about six weeks due to the pain and he found some household chores difficult until it subsided. A consultant orthopaedic surgeon said that it would take around six to nine months to fully recover.

Following the accident, the client also suffered mild anxiety when out shopping, which lasted for about six months.

It was surprising to our client that the large machine was being used during a busy Saturday afternoon near the till area.  He spoke to a deputy manager about this during a later visit to the store and was told that the machine was not meant to be used during opening hours. However, the client has since seen it being used during opening hours.

Feeling that the accident had been caused by someone using the machine incorrectly, the client contacted Graysons to see if he had any redress against Lidl.  Tracey took up the case.  She contacted Lidl regarding the accident, but they were uninterested in negotiating and so Tracey issued court proceedings.  At the hearing, the judge accepted that the client’s injuries were caused by the operative’s negligent use of the cleaning machine and awarded damages to our client.

The client said:

“Totally competent firm of lawyers who got us the result we deserved. Always informative, along with getting matters sorted out ASAP. From the moment I contacted Graysons, they have been so helpful. Thank you.”

If you sustain an injury and you believe that it was not your fault, contact our personal injury experts now.  We will arrange a free-of-charge meeting in which we can discuss and advise on the merits of your case.  If we take it on, we will offer you a no-win – no-fee agreement. You can also find out about making a personal injury claim on our web pages.

Author: Tracey Dickinson, personal injury expert.