I need help with a personal injury claim against me?

I need help with a personal injury claim against me?

0:03 AM, 20th February 2024, About 2 months ago 6

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Hello, I am a landlord of a newly developed building. Due to a storm I had to move a tenant into one of my vacant flats. The flat had been completed 1 year prior and was in excellent condition.

The tenant then had a friend staying, a rather large lady who, from what I gather, walked into the bath shower screen when it was opened, and the glass fell out onto her foot.

It did not break but gave her a cut not serious but there was some blood. The tenant then asked me for loss of wages for the friend but could give no evidence that she had indeed lost any wages.

After a week or so, I receive a notice that a claim will be made against me for the sum of £25,000 for injury sustained and negligence – brought by the friend of the tenant.

The building has a full-time maintenance man who monitors all maintenance issues and never once was a complaint made about the condition of the flat. It was intact everything was new.

At the time of the incident, the tenant did not have an AST for that flat or her previous flat as she gave this up. She did however continue to pay rent for the flat. Not sure if this is relevant.

I would like advice on whether this potential claim will go anywhere and also if anyone know a good lawyer to fight this if necessary.

Shantell


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Comments

Martin Roberts

9:42 AM, 20th February 2024, About 2 months ago

I would pass this to your insurance company.

Kate Mellor

10:37 AM, 20th February 2024, About 2 months ago

This is one for your insurance company to handle for you, don’t even get involved yourself. Don’t let it worry you at all, there’s no way she’ll get anywhere near that amount of money for a minor injury. The only potential negligence could be if the bath screen fell out because it was incorrectly installed and even then, it’s fairly minor. They’ll probably pay her a small amount for a few days loss of income and pain and distress. Amounts for personal injury are set out for different things and they are pretty small. I don’t even think you get that much for loss of a limb!

Kat Scott

11:48 AM, 20th February 2024, About 2 months ago

Shantell,

I would ask for a copy of the doctor's fitness note which the injured party would have had to obtain after a week off work. I would also ask you to ask for a copy of their most recent payslip for proof of income. Just say these documents are needed to pass to the insurance company to start the claim. You will also need to injured parties' contact details
If they cannon provide any of the above requested info they it's a real case

No hate plz

13:05 PM, 20th February 2024, About 2 months ago

This needs to go to your insurance company IF you had liability insurance (I hope you did) and let them deal with it. If you did/do not have liability insurance then it gets complicated. Basically, you will have to tell the tenant that the person making the claim will have to take you to court.

Mark Smith

13:38 PM, 20th February 2024, About 2 months ago

Remember you can make a counterclaim against your tenant for damage to the shower screen.
The size of the lady is immaterial and you should not mention it.

The claimant must prove.
1) that you were negligent in you upkeep of the property
2) that they sustained the injury and losses equivalent to their claim.
3) that your negligence re maintenance of the property and not their carelessness was responsible for the injury..

If your tenant was aware of a problem but did not report it and invited the person into their home you can also argue it is the tenant who is liable and not you

White Collar

15:53 PM, 20th February 2024, About 2 months ago

I am happy to consider assisting on this matter but if you have insurance, go there first.

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