Accident in cinema - what action should I take?

4743hudsonj

Optimist wrote: »

Accidents do happen in the real world where no one is to blame however there is a difference between a accident which can not be foreseen and one caused by negligence.

The law which actually goes back to the 1930s defines negligence as doing something in which you can reasonably foresee will injure someone by your actions or inactions.

The bottom light was out, the light is there to specifically prevent people tripping in the dark and it is also a legal obligation

The OP has stated that staff were aware and had reported it. Given the facts as stated there is a good chance that the management of the cinema are liable.

My thoughts exactly

bris

If only I could sue someone every time I fell over......

anotherginger

did you tell the cinema that you fell over and went to the hospital? if you went straight to the hospital from the accident then you should tell the cinema so that they can report the accident to the Incident Contact Centre at the Health and Safety Executive. This may start an investigation into your accident by whatever local authority the cinema is in. If you didn't go straight to the hospital its still worth letting the cinema know, morally you should let them know because you wouldn't want it to happen to someone else.

Tandia

Thanks for all your comments.

Yes, they did know I was going straight to the hospital, but they don't yet know the outcome, and whatever happens I will write to let them know. They certainly seemed to take what had happened seriously, and I would hope they are going to make sure it gets fixed quickly.

dmg24

So what outcome would you like Tandia?

sassy_one

Speak to one of those 'No win, No fee' solicitors.

Lots about, you can find them online and also in your local Yellow Pages.

You lose nothing if you fail and normally, these firms will only take on cases they know they will win!

Torby

I'll reserve judgement until someone quotes the stipulation that cinemas MUST have lights illuminating the stairs for people who want to leave before the house lights come on....

I always used to wait for the national anthem to be played before I left....how long ago was that?

pcombo

shouldn't have left ur seat untill the lights came on if you cant see that good.

joeypesci

DCFC79 wrote: »

Had the acccident been reported at the time ?

where would you have the cinema put a note up, at the bottom of the steps but wait the cinema is still in the dark so you wouldnt be able to see the sign

Cinema could put some glow in the dark warning tape on the step. The health and safety guy did that in our server room due to the raised platform the servers sit on. So if the lights get turned off and you're in there (happened to me when some idiot didn't realise I was in the room and turned the lights out when they left), you can still see the step.

cybergibbons

Torby wrote: »

I'll reserve judgement until someone quotes the stipulation that cinemas MUST have lights illuminating the stairs for people who want to leave before the house lights come on....

Generally that's not how negligence works though. The design of the cinema has low level lighting on stairs, and by letting it fall into disrepair, it could be shown they have been negligent, regardless of if the lighting was mandatory or not.

I don't know the specific rules for cinemas, but in theatres the minimum is a contrasting colour stair nosing, and a lot of them now require lit or glow in the dark stair nosing. It would all be in the terms of the license however.