Hit by wheelchair on escalator - culprit did a runner

tommyjj

what would any of you guys do in a similar situation?

just say 'accidents happen'?

FiremanDave

tommyjj wrote: »

what would any of you guys do in a similar situation?

just say 'accidents happen'?

What are you after, money?

tommyjj

FiremanDave wrote: »

What are you after, money?

I'm not after anything, but my MIL's teeth alone will cost £1000 to fix, so she would be seeking some kind of compensation, yes.

elsien

tommyjj wrote: »

what would any of you guys do in a similar situation?

just say 'accidents happen'?

In your situation we'd probably all be very !!!!ed off, and feeling similar to you.
However that would not alter the fact that the supermarket is not liable, and that without the identity of the person there's nothing we could do.
No different to stores putting signs in their car park saying they are not liable for any damage. Many of us have returned to cars to find dents, scratches and no sign of the culprit. Same sort of thing.

ThumbRemote

tommyjj wrote: »

what would any of you guys do in a similar situation?

just say 'accidents happen'?

Nobody's arguing with you. They are just telling you the law.

The carer was almost certainly liable. However, they are probably going to get away with it.

If it were me, I'd be asking the supermarket if it's possible to follow the culprits using their CCTV, out of the door and to their car - then see if you can get the registration. Long shot, but worth a try.

tommyjj

elsien wrote: »

Many of us have returned to cars to find dents, scratches and no sign of the culprit. Same sort of thing.

leaving the scene of an accident, even just knocking off someone's wing mirror, is a criminal offence.

for some reason, causing serious bodily harm by negligently taking a wheelchair on a travellator that specifiably prohibits them is absolutely fine under the law. Yet it's illegal to detain or search someone attempting to leave the scene. I'd imagine following the person home to get their address would also be illegal.

tommyjj

ThumbRemote wrote: »

If it were me, I'd be asking the supermarket if it's possible to follow the culprits using their CCTV, out of the door and to their car - then see if you can get the registration. Long shot, but worth a try.

that is a good idea, but the managers at the supermarket said the case had been referred to their HQ, including all the CCTV footage, and they will only speak about it further to my mother in law - but she's still doped-up on opiate-based painkillers so isn't exactly on top negotiating form!

FiremanDave

tommyjj wrote: »

leaving the scene of an accident, even just knocking off someone's wing mirror, is a criminal offence.

for some reason, causing serious bodily harm by negligently taking a wheelchair on a travellator that specifiably prohibits them is absolutely fine under the law. Yet it's illegal to detain or search someone attempting to leave the scene. I'd imagine following the person home to get their address would also be illegal.

Well it isn't but you're not in a position to do that so where is that arguement going to get you?

tommyjj

PasturesNew wrote: »

Similar event, out of 'interest': http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1751499.hunt_for_driver_of_hitandrun_mobility_scooter/

almost exactly the same situation!

FiremanDave

tommyjj wrote: »

that is a good idea, but the managers at the supermarket said the case had been referred to their HQ, including all the CCTV footage, and they will only speak about it further to my mother in law - but she's still doped-up on opiate-based painkillers so isn't exactly on top negotiating form!

Well get the solicitor to apply for it.