TK Maxx pays damages to woman hit by suitcase

By DAVID McCANN
Published on 08/03/2013 12:00

NO-FRILLS retailer TK Maxx has paid out £2000 to a woman left in “agony” when a suitcase plunged from a shelf on to her neck.

Anita Menna, 52, had been browsing through the racks at the clothing giant’s Craigleith store in Edinburgh when she was struck from behind by a suitcase knocked from a display by another customer.

The case dropped from around five feet before landing on Mrs Meena’s shoulders and neck, resulting in tissue damage.

She said: “I couldn’t believe it when it happened. I was looking for clothes and suddenly a suitcase fell on me. I couldn’t understand what had happened but I was in agony.

“I already suffered pain in my neck and shoulder so this made it even more difficult for me.”

The accident, which happened on November 12, 2011, exacerbated a pre-existing condition which caused pain to Mrs Meena’s neck and shoulders.

“The store called an ambulance and I received treatment for tissue damage,” she said.

TK Maxx immediately admitted liability for the in-store calamity and settled out of court on February 8 this year. Mrs Meena was awarded a payout for the injuries she sustained.

Her lawyer, Patrick McGuire, a partner in Thompsons Solicitors, said: “It can be fairly daunting for individuals to challenge such a large and well-known retailer but our client had a strong case as a victim of an accident which wasn’t her fault and we are extremely satisfied with the outcome.”

In June last year, the News told how a former manager of the Dominion Cinema lost her claim for damages after she fell down the steps of a Hanover Street store.

Moira Brown, 80, was injured after losing her footing as she went down the steps from the Lakeland store in 2009, sustaining fractured ribs and extensive bruising to her right side.