Circumstances of the accident
Our client was attending Govan Police Station on Helen Street, Glasgow, when she was injured in a fall caused by a faulty banister on an external stairway.
How we helped our client
As she exited the building on or around 15 October 2022, our client used the handrail to steady herself while descending an external set of stairs. The banister, however, was not secured to the ground, and gave way, causing her to fall backwards. The premises are under the control of Police Scotland, who we alleged had failed in their duties under the Occupiers’ Liability (Scotland) Act 1960.
As a result of the fall, our client sustained soft tissue injuries to her left leg, right leg, left elbow, head, left shoulder, and left thumb. She also experienced an exacerbation of a pre-existing migraine condition. She developed both post-concussion syndrome and benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV), which places her at an increased risk of recurrence in the future.
She sought medical attention from multiple providers, including the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, her GP practice at Pollok Health Centre, and a physiotherapy clinic in Bothwell. While some of her soft tissue injuries resolved within a few weeks to months, the neurological symptoms were confirmed to be permanent. Our client also required care and assistance from family members during her recovery.
Settlement
We obtained supportive medical evidence from a Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, a Neurologist, and a Psychiatrist to confirm the extent and duration of our client’s injuries. Despite efforts to resolve the case pre-litigation, no reasonable offer was put forward by the Defender.
A court action was raised, and the matter was settled shortly thereafter for a five-figure sum, reflecting the seriousness of our client’s injuries and the long-term impact on her health and well-being.
