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Partial finger amputation

19 replies

Aliway · 29/08/2010 19:42

Hi there, am feeling rather shaky and terribly upset about an incident that happened on friday after taking my ds who is 3 swimming. I am not sure if I am posting in the right area but would be grateful to here from others who have had a similar experience or know of someone who has.
In the changing rooms after swimming whilst exiting the loos my poor darling got his little finger caught in the hinges of a heavy door and his finger was virtually amputated by it. He had to have emergency surgery and there is a significant risk he will loose the finger. I have now found that there are door hinge protectors to prevent such injuries for as little as £16 from screw fix. The pool is particularly popular with young children as is very shallow has soft play etc. I understand schools and nurseries have to install these protectors does anyone have any further info about this :(

OP posts:
pantaloons · 29/08/2010 19:55

Goodness, that's awful and I am really sorry for your little one. I'm afraid I am clueless with regard to the law, but just wanted to send you my best wishes.

Aliway · 29/08/2010 19:58

Thank you that's really kind am completely distracted by it. He needs to return to hospital on Tuesday to have the dressing taken down to see if the finger has survived the surgery

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pantaloons · 29/08/2010 20:01

Aw, bless him, I'm not surprised you are distracted! It is really shocking and I'm sure there should be something to stop it. I think most public loos have the full strip protectors on so you would think council places should.

Good luck on Tuesday, do let us know how you go on.

nameymcnamechange · 29/08/2010 20:03

Your poor little boy! How horrible for you all.

whomovedmychocolate · 29/08/2010 20:07

Oh how awful. Well first of all my dad lost the tops of three fingers and it's really not incapacitated him at all - he got used to it within six months and can do everything you'd expect.

Second - regarding strips. Well it's a hard thing but they try not to fit door strips which stop wheelchair users get in.

But if you think this is not a good excuse (ie this was not the accessible entrance) I would contact a no win no fee solicitor for some advice. Do not sign up to an insurance contract or pay over any more. Do some research first and don't go for a big firm because you'll speak to an sales person rather than someone who can give you helpful advice!

Hope your DS gets better quickly. :)

hugglymugly · 29/08/2010 20:30

That's a horrible situation to have experienced, for both of you, so it's not in the least surprising that you feel shaky and upset. Here are my thoughts, in no particular order of importance, because that's up to you:

Write to whoever is responsible for managing the swimming pool, describing exactly what happened. Enquire whether they have noted the incident in their accident log, and ask for a photocopy. Ask if they have carried out a Health & Safety investigation, and (if appropriate) have reported the incident to the Health & Safety Executive. Give them all the information you have about door hinge protectors. The hospital should have taken notes of where and how the accident took place, but I don't know what they do with that information - maybe when you're next there you could ask about that.

Young children do have a much greater physical ability to recover from traumatic injuries than adults do. Although you were told there was a risk of losing the finger, that doesn't necessarily mean that will be what happens. They have to tell you of the risks, because it would be grossly unfair to do otherwise. Most surgeons and nurses want to see their young patients discharged from their care with a complete recovery.

If the worst happens, yes, that's horrible to contemplate, but children are incredibly versatile and even if his finger can't be salvaged he will be all right despite his injury.

Time really is a variable thing, isn't it? When you're counting down the hours until Tuesday. Been there, and it's never easy. Talk until then, if you need to. And then let us know how it went.

gordonpym · 29/08/2010 20:38

So sorry for you. Not an expert in law, but public place have insurance for incidents occurring in their premises. I used to work years ago as a lifeguard, and rules about safety are very strict. Protecting the door joint may not be regulated but the heavy door (was it a fire door?) may be the key if there wasn't any caution panel IYSWIM.
Have a look at this www.clintoncountygov.com/departments/health/pdf%20files/6-1code.pdf
just to have an idea of the requirement. It is for US, but it can give you a certain knowledge of their responsibility.
Try posting in "legal matter" in MN, someone may come forward. Good luck

Aliway · 29/08/2010 20:50

The most unfortunate thing was that, apparently there was a sign saying 'please watch your fingers with these doors'. Leading me to believe that 1. a risk assessment had been carried out before or, 2. that an incident had occurred before. As the loos were in a separate compartment from the changing room the doors could be fire doors, but 2 heavy doors, I don't know. If I am completely honest, compensation and litigation is not what i'm interested in at all. I just don't want any other person to experience it, just awful. The entrance into the toilet was very awkward involving 1 heavy door to enter into a small cubicle with another heavy door at right angle to enter into the loo. The incident occurred as I was exiting the loo through the first door and as I was opening the second door his fingers were crushed by the first... :(

OP posts:
whomovedmychocolate · 29/08/2010 20:52

Yes they will have public liability insurance. It's unlikely they would let it go to court but would make an offer. For an index finger - full loss - you would get about £10K, for partial, around £7k.

LadyBiscuit · 29/08/2010 20:54

No idea re the law but if it helps, one of my friends is missing the tops of three of her fingers on one hand and you really wouldn't even notice it - doesn't stop her from doing anything.

Your poor DS though and poor you too

whomovedmychocolate · 29/08/2010 20:58

Actually the fact that there is a warning sign may count against the owners as they obviously knew this was a dangerous situation which they did not remedy. Many users of the facility would not be able to read that sign.

Finger trap injury does happen, but where it's easily preventable it's unforgiveable. Angry

Whether or not you want compensation, you probably should think about it - he may for example, require a laptop for school because he might not be able to hold a pen properly for a while etc.

unfitmother · 29/08/2010 20:58

I'm sorry to hear that. It's a very common injury, sadly.

Aliway · 30/08/2010 19:24

Thank you so much for all your supportive posts. I have heard from the swimming pool management. They were aware there was an issue. When I asked about door hinge protectors he explained that they had been discussed in relation to these doors but action had not been taken, there was no explanation why, I think one of the doors is a fire door, but that was not the door that crushed his finger. When I explained to the swimming pool representative that I had contacted the Health and Safety executive he then said they would look into fitting them ASAP, prior to this he said that quote'...they would look into it ...don't know when we will manage it'. He wants me to return there to sign an incident sheet; I can not face the prospect of going anywhere near the place. Little ds is wonderful and so brave, I am not bothered about money I just want those wretched doors ripped of their hinges, so no other little hands are damaged.

OP posts:
gordonpym · 31/08/2010 12:57

How did it go at the hospital today?

pippop1 · 31/08/2010 14:49

Don't think you should sign anything at the swimming pool by the way. Let them write to you and explain the issues and then you will have something to show a solicitor.

They will have insurance in place but will obviously not wish to claim on it if they don't need to.

gordonpym · 01/09/2010 08:42

Any news?

Aliway · 04/09/2010 15:19

So sorry for the delay in news, the tip was saved thank goodness. We went away to celebrate and wind down thank you so much for the good wishes

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BrigitBigKnickers · 04/09/2010 18:04

Phew what a relief. Delighted for you!

SauvignonBlanche · 04/09/2010 18:08

That's great! Smile

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