A 14-year-old girl who was paralysed when a neighbour’s porch collapsed on top of her has been awarded damages of £300,000.
Zoe Talbot was 10 years old when the accident happened in 2004. She was playing with her friend next door when, without warning, the porch collapsed and fell on Zoe, who sustained severe spinal injuries that have left her unable to walk.
Zoe’s parents brought the case against the Sanctuary Housing Association, contending that structural flaws in the porch would have been visible to the tenants. The Housing Association argued, however, that the door frame would have hidden any signs of cracking in the concrete, which was the reason for the collapse.
Given the seriousness of Zoe’s injuries, it might be thought that the damages award would be higher. However, the Housing Association denied any liability but made an offer of £300,000 to settle the claim, which was accepted and approved by a judge.
The family is anxious to make life easier for Zoe by moving to a suitable property and will use the money to buy a bungalow specially adapted to her needs. For that reason, they decided to accept the compensation offered in order to improve the quality of their daughter’s life immediately, rather than trying to secure a larger settlement by contesting the matter in court at a later date.
If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence or in an accident caused by premises being unsafe, contact us to discuss the options that are available to you when seeking compensation.
Zoe Talbot was 10 years old when the accident happened in 2004. She was playing with her friend next door when, without warning, the porch collapsed and fell on Zoe, who sustained severe spinal injuries that have left her unable to walk.
Zoe’s parents brought the case against the Sanctuary Housing Association, contending that structural flaws in the porch would have been visible to the tenants. The Housing Association argued, however, that the door frame would have hidden any signs of cracking in the concrete, which was the reason for the collapse.
Given the seriousness of Zoe’s injuries, it might be thought that the damages award would be higher. However, the Housing Association denied any liability but made an offer of £300,000 to settle the claim, which was accepted and approved by a judge.
The family is anxious to make life easier for Zoe by moving to a suitable property and will use the money to buy a bungalow specially adapted to her needs. For that reason, they decided to accept the compensation offered in order to improve the quality of their daughter’s life immediately, rather than trying to secure a larger settlement by contesting the matter in court at a later date.
If you have been injured as a result of someone else’s negligence or in an accident caused by premises being unsafe, contact us to discuss the options that are available to you when seeking compensation.
