Personal injury claim.

TELLIT01

My wife recently had a fall and broke her leg.  Originally we were just putting it down to bad luck but now knowing the severity of the injury, which resulted in 11 days in hospital along with a metal rod and screws being inserted, we are considering the possibility of a personal injury claim.  We do have legal expenses cover but I'm just trying to put all my ducks in a row before calling the insurer. 

We have the "What, Where and How" information but is there anything else I should obtain before speaking to them. 

I would stress that from talking to other people who attended the event, no warning signage was put up before my wife fell, nor was any attempt made to keep the floor safe. Basic situation was my wife had been at a function in a social club for about 20 minutes, got up from her seat and didn't realise the floor was soaking wet.  She slipped and fell heavily, no alcohol was involved, the rest is history.

user1977

Why was the floor wet? How long had it been wet for?

CSI_Yorkshire

What was the floor covering?  What sort of shoes was your wife wearing?  Do you still have them?

CSI_Yorkshire

What was going on at the time?  Who else was nearby?  Had anyone reported a wet floor?

TELLIT01

In answer to the questions.  It was raining hard but from what I have been told they were using a temporary entrance and no mats/carpet had been laid to wipe feet on.  She didn't slip on the way in so presumably it wasn't very wet at that time.  It was a wooden floor.  Shoes were low high heels if that makes sense, with heels no more than a couple of inches. We still have them.  Nothing much going on, people were arriving from a church where a couple had reaffirmed their vows on their 25th wedding anniversary.  Although they were in a social club the bar wasn't open!  I don't know if anybody had reported the floor, but as bad weather was forecast I would have thought precautions would have been taken, particularly as they weren't using the normal entrance.  My wife had never been there before so wouldn't have been aware of that.

I would add that all my information is from those who attended.  I wasn't there.

CSI_Yorkshire

I wasn't expecting you to answer me - just telling you the questions that I would ask if the insurer or solicitor sent this to my desk for an investigation.

Sounds like you have a decent amount of information.

TELLIT01

I know you weren't asking for detail, but I thought supplying it might help in clarifying if any more information might be required at this time.  I'll be speaking to our insurers but most certainly won't be going the route of the ambulance chasing 'No Win, No Fee' brigade.

user1977

It certainly sounds like there's a potential case there. I would expect some potential arguments about contributory negligence (i.e. the fact the floor was wet shouldn't have been a surprise to anyone present).