OAP seeking damages for ad sign injury

A PENSIONER is seeking £30,000 damages after maintaining she was struck by an advertising sign as she walked along a city centre street on a windy day.

Lucille Smith said she suffered a fracture dislocated left shoulder when she was hit in the back and knocked to the ground in Edinburgh's Hanover Street on 19 December, 2008.

The 63-year-old, of Mayfield Road, is now suing the firm, Glasgow-based Forrest Group, which erected the sign on a shop front for compensation at the Court of Session in Edinburgh.

Forrest Group deny liability and said the five feet by four feet V board was fixed with screws to the frame of the shop front by a joiner who checked it was secure.

Another firm, Eric Young & Company, of Edinburgh, which asked for the sign to be erected was brought into the action. Forrest Group claim a customer contract provides it with an indemnity.

Lord Uist said the indemnity was no concern to Ms Smith and should not deprive her of her right to a jury trial on her claim.