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Newspaper Vendor Secures Damages After Dustcart Accident

A newspaper vendor has won compensation after a road sweeping lorry, contracted to work for Westminster City Council, ploughed into her Evening Standard kiosk outside Lancaster Gate Underground station in London.

Personal Injury Claim

Ms Beryl Connor, 45, was awarded £8,000 in an out of court settlement following the accident which happened on the 15th of August 2005. Liability was accepted by Veolia Environmental Services after the driver of the vehicle negligently ran his lorry into the kiosk, causing it to close up and trap Ms Connor inside.

As well as suffering injuries to her head, neck, back and arm, Ms Connor suffered with headaches and post traumatic stress disorder of moderate severity. Angered by the company’s initial denial of liability, Ms Connor appointed personal injury specialists Thompsons Solicitors, the solicitors for The Legal Line, to help fight her case.

Council Held Responsible

Commenting, Ms Connor said: “The accident was bad and I was pretty shaken by the whole experience. I suffered a lot of pain and headaches. My neck was in a brace and it made my life very difficult and stressful.

What incensed me, following the accident, was the attitude of the company. Despite knowing what had happened, the driver of the lorry was immediately back in place and they simply would not accept responsibility for what had happened to me. This is one of the reasons I decided to take action with the assistance of Thompsons Solicitors. I’m glad that I did because it’s shown that they should be accountable for incidents like this, instead of completely ignoring it.”

Commenting on her case, her personal injury solicitor, Angela Smart, of Thompsons Solicitors, said: “This was a very nasty accident which could have ended up far worse than it did. The kiosk has an hydraulic mechanism which is designed to fold under normal and safe circumstances, so when the lorry hit it, Ms Connor was trapped inside and blacked out during the incident. It was a very traumatic experience for her.”

Accident Compensation Claims

If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident and believe that someone else is responsible, our specialist personal injury solicitors may be able to assist you in claiming compensation.

Contact The Legal Line for cost free advice and assistance on 0800 0328511 or by completing an online compensation claim enquiry form.