We'd like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum. This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are - or become - political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

Eye injury in a shop - can I claim?

A brief version of the story - I was trying on some sunglasses in a large store, and the security wire that they are attached to the stand with was loose and had a large bare wire sticking out at the end near the lenses. I did not see this and when I put the glasses on, the wire went straight into my eye. I had my 2 year old granddaughter with me at the time and was not offered a seat, a drink, nothing, and the incident had really made me feel quite nauseous.

An accident report was filed and I went in to see the stores optician who sent me straight to a&e. By the time I was out of the opticians, they had tightened up every security wire but I did take a photo before they did this. I have since been to a&e twice - once because the pressure in my eye was high, and the second time because of a suspected infection.

I would just like to know if and how I can make a claim for this as I really feel that this was a completely negligent accident.

Thank you
«134

Comments

  • boliston
    boliston Posts: 3,012 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    tillylou wrote: »
    A brief version of the story - I was trying on some sunglasses in a large store, and the security wire that they are attached to the stand with was loose and had a large bare wire sticking out at the end near the lenses. I did not see this and when I put the glasses on, the wire went straight into my eye. I had my 2 year old granddaughter with me at the time and was not offered a seat, a drink, nothing, and the incident had really made me feel quite nauseous.

    An accident report was filed and I went in to see the stores optician who sent me straight to a&e. By the time I was out of the opticians, they had tightened up every security wire but I did take a photo before they did this. I have since been to a&e twice - once because the pressure in my eye was high, and the second time because of a suspected infection.

    I would just like to know if and how I can make a claim for this as I really feel that this was a completely negligent accident.

    Thank you

    Were you aware of the loose wire when you tried on the glasses?
  • aaroncaz
    aaroncaz Posts: 5,242 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    boliston wrote: »
    Were you aware of the loose wire when you tried on the glasses?


    The OP said she didn't see it.

    I don't know much abt claims but what a terrible thing thing to happen. You were not lucky not to suffer worse damage to your eye.
  • mije1983
    mije1983 Posts: 3,665 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker Name Dropper
    You can make a claim for absolutely anything you want. Winning however is another matter entirely.


    What did they say at A&E when you went there?

    What have the store said?
  • boliston
    boliston Posts: 3,012 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Photogenic Combo Breaker
    I think it depends on whether the optician were aware of the loose wire and failed to make it safe after becoming aware of the hazard - bear in mind that any claim would require evidence of negligence on the part of the defandant
  • elsien
    elsien Posts: 34,434 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    Aren't GPs for possible infections rather than shooting down to A&E. Especially when you've been there twice already.
    All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well.

    Pedant alert - it's could have, not could of.
  • Marktheshark
    Marktheshark Posts: 5,841 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I would take the opinion of a injury specialist solicitor over the opinions of jealous forum members.

    They will never support you, they are riddled with bitter twisted jealousy that you may get something they wont.

    Call a solicitor for advice.
    I do Contracts, all day every day.
  • Marktheshark
    Marktheshark Posts: 5,841 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    elsien wrote: »
    Aren't GPs for possible infections rather than shooting down to A&E. Especially when you've been there twice already.

    Depends where you live, in Leeds it will be a 3-4 week wait to see a GP.
    If it is GAS streptococci, you will be dead and buried from multiple organ failure before you get to see the doctor.
    I do Contracts, all day every day.
  • tillylou
    tillylou Posts: 15 Forumite
    Bogalot wrote: »
    Think of the children! That's got to be worth some extra compo.

    If you didn't see the wire that suggests you were not watching what you were doing. Who are you suggesting is negligent? You've been to A&E twice but is anything actually wrong with your eye?


    Unless you were specifically looking for a loose wire when trying on glasses (something I'm pretty sure most people do not do), then you would not have seen it. It is clear negligence on their part as the pair that I tried on were not the only pair with the loose wire.

    The optician at a&e was able to actually lift a flap of my eyeball with a needle, and told me it was a 'deep laceration', so yes, there is something wrong with my eye. I am still experiencing pain and sensitivity to light almost 2 weeks after the incident. I have been prescribed a second course of antibiotic cream. GPs are not eye specialists, hence why I was sent to an EYE a&e specifically.
  • theonlywayisup
    theonlywayisup Posts: 16,032 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Photogenic
    I do hope you have someone typing your posts on here.
  • aaroncaz
    aaroncaz Posts: 5,242 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture
    tillylou wrote: »
    Unless you were specifically looking for a loose wire when trying on glasses (something I'm pretty sure most people do not do), then you would not have seen it. It is clear negligence on their part as the pair that I tried on were not the only pair with the loose wire.

    The optician at a&e was able to actually lift a flap of my eyeball with a needle, and told me it was a 'deep laceration', so yes, there is something wrong with my eye. I am still experiencing pain and sensitivity to light almost 2 weeks after the incident. I have been prescribed a second course of antibiotic cream. GPs are not eye specialists, hence why I was sent to an EYE a&e specifically.


    Only blindness would suit the would-be Doctors on this forum:cool:

    Take Markthesharks advice and go seek advice, a claim is not just abt compensation it is abt making sure does not happen to someone else who might not be so lucky and could end up being blinded.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 346.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 251.4K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 451.5K Spending & Discounts
  • 238.9K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 614.4K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 174.8K Life & Family
  • 252.2K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 15.1K Coronavirus Support Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.