Electrocuted, by landlords washing machine

bernadette2105

Dear All,
I wonder if you can help. I privately rent through an agent named IMS lettings. I moved into a 3 bed property on 27/08/2008 on the 29th put some washing in the intergrated washing machine and recieved 240volts into my body. The agent sent a washing machine man out who tested the appliance and said that the machine was not earthed what so ever and i recieved the full 240 main volts as a shock. I recieved a report from him and the last paragraph states that theres a fault with the wiring meaning both the live and earth wires are both live all metal parts of the machine are live with full mains 240 volts a potentially lethal situation.
IMS have now fixed the wiring, but offered no apology, am i entitled to sue the for negligence, if so how do i go about it?

Thanks
Bernadette

Premier_2

How much money have you got? Anyone can sue anybody but it costs money.

Btw, the shock couldn't have been that bad otherwise you wouldn't still be here to tell the tale.

Do you have a doctor's or hospital certificate to prove any injury you suffered?

bernadette2105

I paid good money out to a 'reputable' company and expected to be safe. What would of happened if my child had touched the machine?

Surely things as basic as electrics should be checked to see if they are safe?

Yes i do have both doctors and hospital records, and photgraphs of the bruising to my arms.

tbs624

Bernadette - welcome as a newbie poster. LLs/LAs have to ensure that all electrical systems and appliances are supplied and maintained in safe working order - they owe their tenants a "duty of care".

Professional LLs/LAs will usually check at each changeover of tenant that all is in order, and in any event they should be able to demonstrate due diligence by keeping records of when checks were made.

Is this appliance listed on any inventory and, if it is, what does it say about condition?

You've mentioned the engineer's report but is any of the rest of this down in writing - did *you* write to the LA? Did you get any form of medical attention or was there any witness to what happened? (Edit: sorry, your post wasn't there when I started -distractions, distractions)

I would contact your local Private Sector Rentals Team at your Council (nothing to do with council housing - they only deal with private lets) - they need to know about local LLs/LAs who fail in their obligations. It won't cost you anything & they can check that the LL/LA fully complies with their obligations.

If you want to pursue any form of legal action you can get a Fixed Fee appointment with a local solicitor to discuss the possibilities, or try a local law centre if there is one.

Just a bit puzzled why you've taken 2 months to do anything further about it? Or is the delay because you were waiting for the LA/engineer to sort the machine out & give you the report?

bernadette2105

Hi TBS,

I have wrote and spoken to the LA, but have had nothing back from themselves in writing.

I have kept a full diary of all correspondence with regards this matter, times, phone calls etc.

Yes i did recieve medical attention, both at my doctors and following their advice the hospital. Also my partner and daughter (18) were present at the time.

Thank you for the advice with regards my Local Private Sector Rental Team, I shall contact them today.

Reason for the delay was due to waiting to see if the LA's electrician would send me a full report, of which they have now done.

Thanks

RabbitMad

bernadette2105 wrote: »

am i entitled to sue the for negligence, if so how do i go about it?

Has the LL or LA been negligent then? Unless they knew of this fault then they haven't been

I assume the fault was in the plug (Both live and earth connected to the live pin), who fitted the plug? As you say it was intergrated does that mean its been like that since the kitchen was fitted - if so who fitted the kitchen?

Premier_2

bernadette2105 wrote:

...Yes i do have both doctors and hospital records, and photgraphs of the bruising to my arms.

...and how exactly did this alleged electric shock cause bruising?

It's a pity you didn't manage to photgraph the resultant burn marks. :rolleyes:

bernadette2105

Hi Rabbitmad,
I would of thought they were negligent with regards not checking electric appliances that are included in my rent? There has to be some safety checks carried out surely? I know they have to have gas checks.

The machine did not have a plug. The cable goes direct from a switch panel, which also controls the fridge and cooker hood: 3 different switches on one panel. direct to the outlet behind the washing machine.

bernadette2105

Premier,
I do not find your replys very helpful and rather sarcastic!
Yes there are photpgraphs of a burn to my left hand and right foot. The bruising was cause by myself hitting the floor following the shock!

Thanks
Bernadette

N79

bernadette2105 wrote: »

Hi Rabbitmad,
I would of thought they were negligent with regards not checking electric appliances that are included in my rent? There has to be some safety checks carried out surely? I know they have to have gas checks.

The machine did not have a plug. The cable goes direct from a switch panel, which also controls the fridge and cooker hood: 3 different switches on one panel. direct to the outlet behind the washing machine.

There are no mandatory electrical checks. Further, LL has to have been negligent. If they undertook a check and subsequently a fault developed then the LL has not been neglegent and you will struggle to make them liable. You need to ask what steps the LL took to discharge their duty of care. Sometimes faults do occur and accidents happen.

Premier_2

bernadette2105 wrote:

...The machine did not have a plug. The cable goes direct from a switch panel, which also controls the fridge and cooker hood: 3 different switches on one panel. direct to the outlet behind the washing machine.

Those switches normally control 3 sockets typically hidden behind the respective appliances. All 3 appliances will usualyy have a normal plug on them.

Only if the 3 switches each have their own fuse next to them can the appliances be hard wired in. I've not seen that set up with the type of switch panel you refer to. I've only seen single switches with integral fuses.