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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect some sort of compensation

26 replies

hanban89 · 08/07/2015 21:36

I've not long moved into a new build house, and in the living room there is a alcove in a fake chimney breast, where you can put ornaments etc. it has two spotlights, and they are roughly 3 feet off the ground. After a couple weeks here my DD who just turned 3 touched one of the lights while I was in the kitchen. All I heard was the scream, and I instantly put her hand under the tap while I phoned NHS 24. I had to take her to A&E and 3 of her fingers were badly blistered, and one was just grey looking. She had to have it bandaged for about a week and I had to make 2 trips to the nurse to get it redressed. I phoned the builder the next day to say I thought it was unsafe and he was very apologetic, and a week later his electrician showed up with LED bulbs. I thought he would maybe send my DD something, a toy or something? Is this unreasonable? I don't know if the halogen bulbs at that height are against regulations.

OP posts:
DJThreeDog · 08/07/2015 21:37

Light bulbs get hot. YABU.

Who would give you compo if she touched your side lamps?

DJThreeDog · 08/07/2015 21:38

I hope your DD is ok btw Flowers

5Foot5 · 08/07/2015 21:38

well I can understand you being worried and annoyed that potentially dangerous lights were in your house but why do you want compensation? Have you suffered any financial loss?

Sidge · 08/07/2015 21:42

I don't see why you would think he was liable. She could have burnt her fingers touching the bulb on a table lamp.

Bulbs get hot. If they are lower down then you just need to be careful and your DD will learn.

Original poster
hanban89 · 08/07/2015 21:46

No not out of pocket but just angry that DD got hurt. I also told him about 6 weeks ago now that the back fence has been botched as there is 2 inch nails sticking through the slats just through poor workmanship. Now that the weather is better she is out there playing and he's still not sorted it. Maybe I just think too much about these things.

OP posts:
msgrinch · 08/07/2015 21:46

Sorry to hear your dd was hurt but yabvu to want compensation for her touching a bulb. A lamp would cause the same injury.

PtolemysNeedle · 08/07/2015 21:47

You don't deserve any compensation because you haven't suffered a financial loss. The builder apologised and fixed the problem. I can't see what more you want. I understand that the whole thing will have been upsetting for you and traumatic for your dd, but to expect compensation and toys is daft.

itsmeitscathy · 08/07/2015 21:49

Oh come on. compensation, really? it's your responsibility to watch your child and check bulbs are the correct type and the safest type. if a child fell down stairs would you expect compensation because the stairs were built too steep?

AuntyMag10 · 08/07/2015 21:49

Fgs yabvu expecting anything, What is it now with wanting compensation at every turn.

AgentProvocateur · 08/07/2015 21:50

Compensated for what? What was your loss?

DaysAreWhereWeLive · 08/07/2015 21:52

You want him to hit Toys R Us because your daughter touched a bulb?

AnyoneForTennis · 08/07/2015 21:53

If anyone's to blame its you

You knew they were there
You know bulbs get hot
You left her there unsupervised

you buy her a 'toy.'?

AnyoneForTennis · 08/07/2015 21:54

And to expect? Yabu

Original poster
hanban89 · 08/07/2015 21:55

Ok. I have a better perspective. But I just feel like it shouldn't have happened and the correct thing should have been fitted in the first place.

OP posts:
AnyoneForTennis · 08/07/2015 21:57

What was incorrect?

Original poster
hanban89 · 08/07/2015 22:05

I had asked an electrician who said that the bulbs used were not the right kind or something for the space as they get too hot. He's need to check but that they were against health and safety. Coz it's too small a space for that kind. As far as I could understand that's what he meant.

OP posts:
bloodyteenagers · 08/07/2015 22:18

Erm bulbs get hold. Regardless of space or size. They emit heat.
I could be daft to touch a bulb that's ceiling height and without a lamp shade. I won't cos I know it's burning hot.

Why don't you go and get a toy or whatever because you are the
One that left the bulb on?

bloodyteenagers · 08/07/2015 22:18

Get hot.. Not get hold

arethereanyleftatall · 09/07/2015 08:28

There are many things in houses which aren't safe for toddlers - stairs, taps, cookers, corners of work tops, everything! Houses obviously can't come without these things. It is the parents responsibility completely to ensure their house us safe.
I expect the builder hasn't fixed the fence because he's running for the hills thinking you're a bit bonkers.
Compensation is for when you've suffered financial loss.

Icimoi · 09/07/2015 08:33

Where do people get the perception that compensation is only for financial loss? If you suffer an injury due to someone else's negligence you are entitled to damages both for financial loss and for pain and suffering: it's a basic legal principle.

However, in this scenario I don't think your child is entitled to compensation from the builder, OP, because the primary responsibility for keeping your child away from hot lightbulbs is yours.

Cretaceous · 09/07/2015 08:35

I think you were BU to clog up A&E for blisters as well, to be frank! Grin

Justwhy · 09/07/2015 08:41

I don't think you should be entitled to compensation, although it would be a nice gesture.

Obviously you should go to A and E for burns.

I do think the builder should learn from this incident. Obviously it is silly to use normal bulbs exposed at a low height. He now knows this and hopefully it won't happen again. If it does then he is an arse.

The bulb is excusable as an oversight from you and the builder. A nail sticking out of the fence is not. Sort it out yourself to avoid further injury.

Penfold007 · 09/07/2015 08:42

I understand your distress and anger but why expect compensation. Sorry to be harsh but you weren't supervising your child so should you be sued? The nail in the fence is easily sorted. We all have responsibility for our own and our family's safety and banging a nail down is reasonable.
Personally I wouldn't use halogen bulbs as I think they are a,fire risk. Hope your little one is recovering well.

Hereward1332 · 09/07/2015 08:45

Halogen bulbs do get much hotter than normal ones, so should not really be at that height. However, it's your house and so you have to take responsibility. More worryingly, have I understood correctly that there have been 2 inch nails sticking out of your fence for 6 weeks? Why haven't you done anything about them - like bash them in with a hammer so they aren't dangerous. Whatever the builder's responsibilities, you have an obligation to your family to take action if you know something is a threat.

Teabagbeforemilk · 09/07/2015 08:49

I am sorry your dd got hurt. But she is your responsibility.

I live in a new build and we toddler proofed it before we moved in. The builders build houses. They do not go round and make adjustments depending on who happens to be moving in.