The courts are often called upon to sanction treatment for patients whose ability to make...
A 60-year-old woman who was injured when she tripped in the car park of a branch of Tesco in Scotland has reached an out-of-court settlement with the company.
Susan Amer, from Blairgowrie, tripped over a metal pole that was sticking up out of the ground after parking her car at her local branch of Tesco. She suffered a fractured fibula, which necessitated wearing a 'moon boot' for two months, as well as injuries to her arm and knee. She then developed 'complex regional pain syndrome', a chronic pain condition most often affecting one of the limbs, usually after an injury or trauma to that limb. The condition is believed to be caused by damage to, or malfunction of, the peripheral and central nervous systems.
She continues to suffer from stiffness, and has ongoing pain in her hand as well as a post traumatic frozen shoulder. She has to take painkillers and requires regular physiotherapy. Her injuries have also exacerbated her pre-existing depression.
Ms Amer has been obliged to give up her job as a cleaner because of the level of pain she is in. Although this may improve slightly over time, doctors say she will continue to experience a degree of pain and be left with a level of disability for the rest of her life.
She claimed £110,000 in damages from the supermarket giant.
Tesco contended that the pole Ms Amer had fallen over was clearly visible and could easily have been avoided had she being paying reasonable attention to her surroundings. However, a settlement was agreed without the matter needing to go to court.