A shopper who it is claimed has been left facing a lifetime of pain after tripping in a supermarket car park is suing Tesco for £110,000 worth of damages.
Susan Amer, 60, was injured when she got out of her car outside the store and lost her footing by stumbling over a pole protruding from the ground.
The cleaner said the injuries had forced her to give up work and she has lodged a claim for compensation against the supermarket chain at Perth Sheriff Court.
In her court writ, Ms Amer, from Blairgowrie, stated she had gone to the local branch of Tesco on July 22 2012 when the accident happened.
“She tripped and fell over part of a metal pole which was protruding above the surface of the car park,” the court papers state.
“She fell and sustained injury to her arm, ankle and knee. She sustained loss, injury and damage. It has been admitted the base of the pole was visible.
“There was no signage indicating its presence.”
Ms Amer suffered a fractured fibula and had to wear a moon boot for eight weeks. She then developed “regional pain syndrome” which affected other parts of her body.
She said she now suffers stiffness and a post traumatic frozen shoulder, as well as an ongoing problem with her hand function.
“She has been required to give up her employment as a private cleaner. She needs painkillers and physio. Complex regional pain syndrome is a chronic condition and there are no cures for it,” the papers state.
“This has impacted on her pre-existing depression. She cannot work because of the level of pain. She may have some slow improvement over time in relation to pain but a level of pain and disability will remain for the rest of her life.”
Ms Amer also states that she was forced to seek help from family members with tasks including gardening, cooking, ironing and cleaning the windows.
Tesco have admitted the accident happened but are fighting the claim on the basis that Ms Amer contributed to her own injuries by being negligent.
The company told the court she had suffered from depression and agoraphobia and required the assistance of family members prior to the accident.
They also said that although the pole was sticking out of the ground, it could be clearly seen and could therefore have been avoided by Ms Amer.