Electrocuted, by landlords washing machine

Premier_2

bernadette2105 wrote: »

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

I guess that means you won't be inviting me to the court hearing then?

A pity, as I could do with a good laugh listening to you you explain this in court :rotfl:

bernadette2105

The house is 3 years old, built by barrat. The 3 socket control panel is on the wall above the fridge, it controls washing machine, cooker hood and fridge, with writing on each switch with a fuse switch underneath. The wiring then runs behind all the tiles down to what i can only describe as a socket looking like an aerial socket where the cable from the washing machine goes into....no 3pin plug

Porkbell

You are certainly owed a duty of care. If you paid any fees to the letting company for finding you the property you may feel entitled to ask them to refund a proportion of the fee as they fulfilled only part of the obligation, they found a property, but did not adequately ensure it was safe. However, with regard suing, you may be disappointed with what you could expect in terms of a cash settlement. It may be that a court or arbitrator would not consider the potential of what could have happened, but only the facts about what did happen, and award you damages on the basis of bruising and shock. Whether it would be worth it and even cover your legal fees is open to question. Get some legal advice to help you make a decision.

Premier_2

N79 wrote:

... Sometimes faults do occur and accidents happen.

Perhaps the OP could look out for one of those "Where we can claim, we'll find someone to blame" lawyers

RabbitMad

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?

As Premier said they could have had a check carried out and the fault occured afterwards, or the LL could have employed a qualified and professional fitter who signed it off as safe only for it not to be, the LL wouldn't have know and would have exercised their duty of care to you.

Can I ask what you plan the sue for. i.e. how much wonga do you want for this 240v shock, and how do you come to this figure?

I've had an accidental 240v shock that bloody hurt. I've also deliberately given myself a 10,000+ volt shock that was mildly unpleasant (from an electric fence) just to demonstrate that its not the volts that kill you its the amps.

pinkshoes

Premier wrote: »

...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:

Actually, electric shocks can cause bruising! I once tried to remove the toaster plug from the socket using a metal knife... :eek: ohps!



Bernadette, the voltage is actually irrelevant - it's the current that's the killer! You can receive a 10,000V electrical shock, but if the current only travels through your body for a very short period of time, then you'll live to tell the tale.

shaven-monkey

bernadette2105 wrote: »

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

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/electrical_safety.htm
specifically

But, should any electrical fittings or appliances within your rental property cause harm to a tenant you could be held liable. The tenant could sue you for damages and or worse you may be brought before a court for negligence under the regulations.

the bruising and burns constitute injury so your landlord or letting agent is liable. before taking legal action i'd figure out whether you want to remain with the letting agent and landlord anymore. It shouldn't be too hard to find an ambulance chasing solicitor prepared to take the personal injury case on a no win / no fee basis but be sure you want to take the time and energy to follow it through before you start.

N79

bernadette2105 wrote: »

The house is 3 years old, built by barrat. The 3 socket control panel is on the wall above the fridge, it controls washing machine, cooker hood and fridge, with writing on each switch with a fuse switch underneath. The wiring then runs behind all the tiles down to what i can only describe as a socket looking like an aerial socket where the cable from the washing machine goes into....no 3pin plug

DISCLAIMER: I AM NOT A QUALIFIED DOMESTIC ELECTRICIAN. This post is my opinion only.

BS7671 recommends inspection intervals of 10 years for domestic property. At a minumum an installation inspection would have occured 3 years ago. Even if being ultra cautions a full installation test would not be more than every 5 years for a domestic installation.

An Annual quick inspection would probably not have found any problem anyway. I suspect that you will have a difficult struggle to show the LL was negligent. We are hardly talking about a 30 year old installation here.

Premier_2

bernadette2105 wrote: »

The house is 3 years old, built by barrat. The 3 socket control panel is on the wall above the fridge, it controls washing machine, cooker hood and fridge, with writing on each switch with a fuse switch underneath. The wiring then runs behind all the tiles down to what i can only describe as a socket looking like an aerial socket where the cable from the washing machine goes into....no 3pin plug

If the property is only 3 years old and the installation hasn't been altered since, it'll have a current electrical certificate.

Perhaps you should be taking the matter up with the electrical engineer who originally inspected the installation and provided the certificate. If the washing machine was not earthed then the other two appliances are not earthed either!

You might also want to investigate why, in a building that new, the RCD failed to trip preventing the burn marks you have photographic evidence of.

N79

shaven-monkey wrote: »

http://www.landlordzone.co.uk/electrical_safety.htm
specifically

the bruising and burns constitute injury so your landlord or letting agent is liable. before taking legal action i'd figure out whether you want to remain with the letting agent and landlord anymore. It shouldn't be too hard to find an ambulance chasing solicitor prepared to take the personal injury case on a no win / no fee basis but be sure you want to take the time and energy to follow it through before you start.

For heavens sake you nead to learn the difference between "COULD be held liable" as quote from LLZone and "are liable" which is your interpretation. They are very different. LL can only be held liable for their negligence.