Should I ask for compensation for child's injuries?.

Sassycat666

I recently bought a bike for my 11 year old daughter from JJB Sports shop and within two weeks my daughter has had two serious falls off it, with us having to take her to A&E on the second as we thought she may have broken her leg. She was extremely distressed and in a lot of pain and her legs are covered in bruises and cuts from both accidents.
When we collected the bike, the assistant handed the bike over to us without making any adjustments for my daughter, despite me asking if he needed to adjust anything.
After the second fall, her friend said that she had to straighten up the front wheel which was misaligned from the handlebars to bring the bike to our home and I have since found out that my daughter's other friend had to do the same after the first fall, which suggests that the bike can't have been built properly in the first place. In addition to this, the handlebars were loose and moving forwards and backwards which also suggests the same.
Do you think we could claim compensation for the company's negligence and if so, what would be a realistic/reasonable amount? Having never done anything like this before, any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in anticipation.

pcombo

Maybe you shoulda bought a set of stabilisers, If she cant ride a bike at age 11.

gordikin

The handlebars/wheel will have become misaligned due to the accident and would have not been the cause of the accident. Happened to mine most times I 'crashed' my bike when I was younger. Crashing/falling off a bike happens when you are child.

alistair.long

this is my opinion, and I believe the negligence is not that of the shop, but yours for checking everything and then letting the child be on their way.

would you drive a car away from the showroom without a door, then make a claim to say that you never put your belt on while turning and fell out.

sneezyboots

What has the world come to? Child falls off bike (not even substantial injuries) wants compo! :rotfl:

At this rate, nobody will manufacture anything just in case someone sues them when they can't use it properly.

somethingcorporate

Perhaps she needs some supervision if she keeps falling off bikes?

What is the world coming to?

soolin

I suspect this is a wind up

fluffnutter

Kids fall off bikes. Just life innit. Expecting compensation for every one of life's little knocks is sending an unpleasant and unrealistic message to your daughter. Be thankful she's OK but stop trying to blame someone. Accidents just happen. Send her on a cycling proficiency course.

HKitten

Why would some poor kid working in JJB Sports of all places have any idea how to adjust a bike?

ankspon

Where there is a blame there is a claim,NOT!.Kids fall off bikes,trip over,fall off beds and furniture,fall over playing football,will you sue the FA.

fluffnutter

HKitten wrote: »

Why would some poor kid working in JJB Sports of all places have any idea how to adjust a bike?

I suppose one could argue that, as the retailer, they have a legal obligation not to sell anything that's dodgily put together.

However, I agree with you. I'd never expect JJB to know the first thing about a bike. They can barely sell you a tracksuit without it desperately stretching the limits of their intelligence.

If you want a decent bike put together by a competent person, a bike shop's your best bet, not some two-bit cheap 'n' nasty sports shop.