Women sues home pool owner for £6million
May 09, 2011
The managing director of a forklift truck business is being sued by a woman who was left paralysed after an accident in an indoor swimming pool at his home. Kylie Grimes broke a vertebra below the base of her neck when she dived into the indoor swimming pool at the home of David Hawkins. Mr Hawkins was not at home at the time. His daughter, Katie was given permission to have two friends over for the evening; however a group of around 20 teenagers went back to the house after drinking at a local pub. Ms Grimes who admitted to being “tipsy” had apparently not been invited to the house and Katie Hawkins had not expected people to go swimming. Ms Grimes is being represented in court by Philip Mott QC who said that the accident could have been avoided by locking the pool house or putting up warning signs. Ms Grimes is suing Mr Hawkins for breach of duty under the Occupiers Liability Act. Mr Hawkins denies liability. He said that he considered the pool to be safe and was not present at the time so could not prevent the teenagers using the pool. Mr Grimes is being represented in court by William Norris QC who said the claim had no sound legal basis. The hearing in the High Court continues.