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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

IKEA injured my child

136 replies

Bretonbabe · 15/04/2023 08:44

A shelving unit fell on my 3yo child at IKEA through no fault of his own, (confirmed by them with CCTV) it hit him in the head and pinned him against a wire basket by his neck. I was with him so it was mere seconds he was pinned. The shelving unit grazed & bruised his cheek, and the wire basket bruised his shoulder blade. He cried at first, then went into shock for a good 6hrs, then slept for a very long time due to the stress I think. He received first aid at the store, in the form of an ice pack. They also gave him cola moose sweets. An accident form was filled in, I asked for a copy, this was denied. I was polite but firm that I was understandably unhappy and wanted a full investigation into why this happened. I was told they would ring me the following day to check on my child’s well-being. They didn’t. Finding no way of contacting the individual store, I started a case with Resolver, said I wasn’t happy, no one had checked on my child’s well-being, etc. I then received a phone call a few days later from the same staff member who did the first aid. He asked after my child, agreed that he had suffered bruises & was clearly in shock. This was also when he told me CCTV had been reviewed & that it confirmed my son had not caused the shelving unit to fall. I asked why it had fallen, his answer “we don’t know” so I asked that they find out and give me an answer because how is it safe to go there for anyone!? It’s been a month & I’ve not heard anything. I’ve escalated the case with Resolver, but if nothing happens, or I just get an apology, should I just leave it? Is duty of care not a basic thing, or AIBU? His injuries were superficial but It could have been so much worse, it was so close to his eye. Witnesses were very distressed at the time. It was a horrible experience. We’ve not been back since.

OP posts:
Isiteveningyet · 15/04/2023 08:46

What is it you are after? Is it compensation?

marshmallowsforbreakfast · 15/04/2023 08:50

What's the outcome you want? You sound like you want a pay out. It sounds awful but a freak accident.

stevalnamechanger · 15/04/2023 08:50

If you want compensation get a solicitor

  • you need as many images of evidence as possible and a fully written report
NotTheOtherMother · 15/04/2023 08:52

What type of shelving unit? How tall was it? Freestanding or wall mounted? What made it fall?

A 2 foot tall freestanding unit that was knocked over by a passer by is obviously very different to a 6 foot wall mounted unit that randomly collapsed when noone was touching it. So we need more information.

Fran919 · 15/04/2023 08:52

I’d say this is reportable to HSE -

Tell us about a health and safety issueUse this service:

  • to report a health and safety issue in a workplace or public space in England. Scotland, and Wales

Please report to ensure it doesn’t happen to anyone else as you’ve said it could have been much worse - they need to ensure that it doesn’t fall again and any risk mitigations in place - we don’t know why doesn’t really cut it where the public is concerned.

ComeTheFuckOnBridgett · 15/04/2023 08:52

Do you want money?

Lostinplaces · 15/04/2023 08:53

If you want money you’ll have to see a solicitor. Did you seek medical attention for him? They’ll probably want medical
reports from a doctor to support any claim you make.

NowZeusHasLainWithLeda · 15/04/2023 08:54

This reply has been deleted

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Tempone · 15/04/2023 08:54

What do you want from them op?

widowtwankywashroom · 15/04/2023 08:54

What do you mean he went into shock?

frenchnoodle · 15/04/2023 08:54

If you want compensation then you've gone about this all wrong, as you have no paper trail.

NowZeusHasLainWithLeda · 15/04/2023 08:55

Lostinplaces · 15/04/2023 08:53

If you want money you’ll have to see a solicitor. Did you seek medical attention for him? They’ll probably want medical
reports from a doctor to support any claim you make.

I'd assume that as the child went into shock for 6 hours the OP will have taken him to A&E or at least obtained a doctor's opinion, so there will definitely be a paper trail.

JustDanceAddict · 15/04/2023 08:55

I would probably just move on tbh. His injuries were superficial and hopefully ikea have looked into the issue. If he’d sustained more serious injuries you’d have grounds for legal action but it’s much harder now to get a payout for injuries etc (to stop the fake claims).

backawayfatty1 · 15/04/2023 08:57

It's frustrating when people comment about money as if that's the only point. Should ikea make a payment if they were at fault - yes most likely!

I can tell your concern is your child and getting to the route cause. It's awful that they haven't followed up. IKEA have a fix it policy where all items should be anchored so it definitely shouldn't have happened!

If I were you, I would contact IKEA by either writing to them, post on social media or contact their country CEO. You'll get a quicker reply if you go via social media/CEO.

DuesExMachina · 15/04/2023 08:57

Fran919 · 15/04/2023 08:52

I’d say this is reportable to HSE -

Tell us about a health and safety issueUse this service:

  • to report a health and safety issue in a workplace or public space in England. Scotland, and Wales

Please report to ensure it doesn’t happen to anyone else as you’ve said it could have been much worse - they need to ensure that it doesn’t fall again and any risk mitigations in place - we don’t know why doesn’t really cut it where the public is concerned.

Do this.

Get him checked by a GP and demand a copy of the incident report. You can make a data protection request for that.

A child could be seriously injured next time

DogInATent · 15/04/2023 08:57

Fran919 · 15/04/2023 08:52

I’d say this is reportable to HSE -

Tell us about a health and safety issueUse this service:

  • to report a health and safety issue in a workplace or public space in England. Scotland, and Wales

Please report to ensure it doesn’t happen to anyone else as you’ve said it could have been much worse - they need to ensure that it doesn’t fall again and any risk mitigations in place - we don’t know why doesn’t really cut it where the public is concerned.

It's retail. It's the local authority where the store is located not the HSE.

Costacoffeeisbetterthansex · 15/04/2023 08:57

In shock for 6 hours!!!!!!

Mariposista · 15/04/2023 08:57

This reply has been deleted

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Throwncrumbs · 15/04/2023 08:58

widowtwankywashroom · 15/04/2023 08:54

What do you mean he went into shock?

Real shock needs hospitalisation, did your child go to hospital? If you were with your child were you injured too?

DuesExMachina · 15/04/2023 08:58

Ignore the childish, snidey comments about cash and the Daily Mail

ComeTheFuckOnBridgett · 15/04/2023 08:59

I'm not sure getting/trying to get money out of them would solve much. I'm assuming your son is fine and hasn't got life changing injuries from it. So you won't need extra funds to pay for care/equipment. Just let them say sorry and move on from it. I'm going to guess that they've sorted the problem and won't let it happen again.

EsmeSusanOgg · 15/04/2023 08:59

You can file an incident/ complaint either online or by phone with HSE. I would then email head office in the UK, with the reference to the HSE complaint (they'll give you an incident number) and ask for them to properly investigate.

This could have been a lot worse, it was great you were there and able to help, but the store needs to take this seriously and look at why the display fell/ what they can do to prevent this happening in the future.

I would escalate until I was sure that had happened.

Tempone · 15/04/2023 09:00

How do you know he was in shock? Did you seek medical advice beyond the IKEA employee? Shock for six hours would be incredibly dangerous especially for a three year old. Did you get a doctor to look at him?

Isiteveningyet · 15/04/2023 09:00

Shock for 6 hours is extensive and very extreme. There would indeed be doctors reports

shock in a child of this age requires immediate emergency care.

  • Cold, clammy, pale or mottled skin
  • Weak and rapid pulse
  • Lightheadedness or fainting
  • Irregular, rapid and shallow breathing
  • Chills
  • Extreme thirst
  • Pinched and vacant expression
  • Glassy or dull eyes, with enlarged pupils and a staring gaze
  • Restlessness, agitation or groaning without experiencing pain or exhibiting obvious injuries
  • Loss of bowel or bladder control

I’m very surprised they were giving a child in shock sweeties and filling in a form.

DuesExMachina · 15/04/2023 09:00

EsmeSusanOgg · 15/04/2023 08:59

You can file an incident/ complaint either online or by phone with HSE. I would then email head office in the UK, with the reference to the HSE complaint (they'll give you an incident number) and ask for them to properly investigate.

This could have been a lot worse, it was great you were there and able to help, but the store needs to take this seriously and look at why the display fell/ what they can do to prevent this happening in the future.

I would escalate until I was sure that had happened.

I would too

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