I Broke My Head on Great Anglia Train

[ChristopherJ]

Greetings,

My name is Vilmos, I am from Hungary and I need legal advice against British train company Great Anglia for personal injury claim.

On Thursday 23 May 2024, I arrive at Stansted Airport from Budapest, I ride on the Great Anglia express train to London Liverpool Street.

On approach to London, I got up from seat and broke my head on top of train, which caused hole in my skull with bleeding, I also caused damage to train by cracking glass.

I was sent by British ambulance to Whitechapel Royal Hospital for accident and emergency care. I required stitchez and trauma package to the top of my skull.

I require assistance for a personal injury claim against Great Anglia, using respectable British laywer.

I attach photographs of damage caused to Great Anglia train.

https://i.ibb.co/9mDXTq0/1000000839.jpg

And

https://i.ibb.co/x8vgFYx/1000000840.jpg

Thank you.

Vilmos

 

[bcarmicle]

I don't know what the insurance situation is like in Hungary, but at least in the UK, many home and travel insurance policies include cover for personal injury claims, and the insurer will help you find a suitable solicitor. You may wish to check if any insurance policy you have provides similar cover.

Beyond that, in the UK, the body responsible for regulation of solicitors is the SRA (https://www.sra.org.uk/), and their website contains general advice in terms of finding a solicitor.

I think you will likely want to speak to a general personal injury solicitor who will be able to advise you on the likelihood of success on your claim and act for you; there is nothing in what you have said that seems to require any transport/railway expertise.

 

[boiledbeans2]

May I know your height?

 

[ChristopherJ]

Hallo,

I am 6"4' in height.

This is the part of the train where I broke my head, as you can see the luggage stack is very low to the seat.

Greetings,

Vilmos

https://i.ibb.co/BfD1Zgm/1000000849.jpg

 

[Adam Williams]

I was sent by British ambulance to Whitechapel Royal Hospital for accident and emergency care. I required stitchez and trauma package to the top of my skull

Have you received an invoice for this treatment/diagnostics? Given The Royal London Hospital is an NHS hospital, I'd have thought if you had a valid EHIC there would have been no attempt to recover any costs from you.

 

[Towers]

Clearly there will have been other, longer lasting effects of the injury beyond just the immediate need for treatment; I assume it is these other factors for which the OP is keen to seek recompense.

Is there any warning in place, by way of stickers or notices etc, to seek to prevent this type of incident; the image that the OP has provided of the wider seating area shows that the rack is plain, light metal framing with obviously a glass insert. One might reasonably expect something to counteract the risk of this type of incident happening. I can see that the seating area is adjacent to the carriage end gangway, is this one of the raised floor areas that these trains have?

 

[pelli]

Apparently this is a well-known issue, as discussed in another thread:

Went to London by train for the first time in ages. 745/0 both ways. Why have some of the luggage racks been removed? It looks most peculiar and with no rhyme not reason to which ones are removed. For example on the train home we were sat at the raised bay of 4 tables next to one of the "dummy cabs". 3 of the overhead racks had been removed leaving just 1.

They have been smashed by people getting up and knocking there heads etc.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 12 Apr 2024 ==

Often passengers (& some staff) not only get up and collide with the overhead racks in raised areas but then fall off the step as they gather themselves

Crikey! They must have really clobbered themselves to smash toughened glass! Hopefully they get replaced.

Or maybe, if it is common for people to hit their heads on overhead luggage racks above raised seats it is better to not have them there?

We did always say that but nobody listens.

I don’t really understand why they are there as it’s an accident waiting to happen again & again.

There have been several incidents across the entire fleet 755s included.

 

[AlterEgo]

I don't know what the insurance situation is like in Hungary, but at least in the UK, many home and travel insurance policies include cover for personal injury claims, and the insurer will help you find a suitable solicitor. You may wish to check if any insurance policy you have provides similar cover.

Beyond that, in the UK, the body responsible for regulation of solicitors is the SRA (https://www.sra.org.uk/), and their website contains general advice in terms of finding a solicitor.

I think you will likely want to speak to a general personal injury solicitor who will be able to advise you on the likelihood of success on your claim and act for you; there is nothing in what you have said that seems to require any transport/railway expertise.

This seems like the most sensible advice.

 

[800001]

Yet there is trains all over Europe exactly like these stadler trains and people manage ok.

 

[Royston Vasey]

Clearly there will have been other, longer lasting effects of the injury beyond just the immediate need for treatment; I assume it is these other factors for which the OP is keen to seek recompense.

Is there any warning in place, by way of stickers or notices etc, to seek to prevent this type of incident; the image that the OP has provided of the wider seating area shows that the rack is plain, light metal framing with obviously a glass insert. One might reasonably expect something to counteract the risk of this type of incident happening. I can see that the seating area is adjacent to the carriage end gangway, is this one of the raised floor areas that these trains have?

There are now large stickers in the bottom corners of the windows of the raised seating area, but I cannot now recall the exact wording or find an image. IIRC they say to take care when stepping down, rather than to mind your head. Others may confirm.

I suspect these sections of luggage racks above the raised sections may end up being removed.

 

[DanNCL]

Yet there is trains all over Europe exactly like these stadler trains and people manage ok.

They’re taller which presumably means the luggage racks are higher up. That’ll make a difference.

If the racks are too low, which they clearly are in this case, they either need raising or removing.

 

[stuu]

I suspect them being transparent glass doesn't help, much easier to not notice

 

[Bletchleyite]

They’re taller which presumably means the luggage racks are higher up. That’ll make a difference.

If the racks are too low, which they clearly are in this case, they either need raising or removing.

Or people can use their eyes and look before standing up.

I'm also 6' 4" and I find it almost an obsession to check I'm not going to clout my head on stuff (e.g. doorways and luggage racks), because it's not a tall person's world. I'm surprised anyone of that sort of height isn't.

I'm sorry, but I'll put this one with drivers who clout stationary objects (e.g. skips and parked cars) in the road and complain they were there - if you clout something that is visible to the eye and isn't moving, then you really weren't paying attention and I can't support legal cases surrounding people who have done that.

I might see it differently if the OP had a sight defect, but I expect such people use their hands to do the same thing, probably even more obsessively than non-disabled tall people!

 

[12LDA28C]

Or people can use their eyes and look before standing up.

I'm also 6' 4" and I find it almost an obsession to check I'm not going to clout my head on stuff (e.g. doorways and luggage racks), because it's not a tall person's world. I'm surprised anyone of that sort of height isn't.

I'm sorry, but I'll put this one with drivers who clout stationary objects (e.g. skips and parked cars) in the road and complain they were there - if you clout something that is visible to the eye and isn't moving, then you really weren't paying attention and I can't support legal cases surrounding people who have done that.

I might see it differently if the OP had a sight defect, but I expect such people use their hands to do the same thing, probably even more obsessively than non-disabled tall people!

Have to say I agree. I'm not convinced there is any basis for a claim against Greater Anglia. If I travelled to another country and hit my head when standing up out of my seat (as I have done several times in the UK) I would probably curse my lack of awareness and make a mental note to be more careful next time. My first thought would certainly not be who I could contact to make a claim for compensation, but I appreciate some people take a different approach.

 

[RailWonderer]

Or people can use their eyes and look before standing up.

I'm also 6' 4" and I find it almost an obsession to check I'm not going to clout my head on stuff (e.g. doorways and luggage racks), because it's not a tall person's world. I'm surprised anyone of that sort of height isn't.

I'm sorry, but I'll put this one with drivers who clout stationary objects (e.g. skips and parked cars) in the road and complain they were there - if you clout something that is visible to the eye and isn't moving, then you really weren't paying attention and I can't support legal cases surrounding people who have done that.

I might see it differently if the OP had a sight defect, but I expect such people use their hands to do the same thing, probably even more obsessively than non-disabled tall people!

With European loading gauge it's easy to not have to, the trains are wide and tall. I'm average height and I always watch my head, my step, where my rucksack is to avoid hitting people sitting in aisle seats on trains etc but in Europe I never have to do that.

 

[Bletchleyite]

With European loading gauge it's easy to not have to, the trains are wide and tall. I'm average height and I always watch my head, my step, where my rucksack is to avoid hitting people sitting in aisle seats on trains etc but in Europe I never have to do that.

It's not just trains, it's life as a whole. If you're not over about 6 foot you probably don't understand.

Not whacking my head is on my mind (!) basically whenever I'm moving anywhere that isn't outdoors. As a result I don't whack my head very often. (Amusingly I do a lot more when wearing a helmet - I get used to exactly how tall I am, and the extra 2 inches or so provides an added "hazard"! )

 

[joystick]

I think its called common sense , if you are tall you should be aware of your surroundings , enjoy your trip forget about suing .

 

[Deepgreen]

Yes, as a six foot-plus person too, I am cautious about springing up from sitting. I really don't think there is much of a chance of success in suing Greater Anglia in this case - it will just add stress to your trip without hope of a good result.

 

[DanNCL]

Or people can use their eyes and look before standing up.

I'm also 6' 4" and I find it almost an obsession to check I'm not going to clout my head on stuff (e.g. doorways and luggage racks), because it's not a tall person's world. I'm surprised anyone of that sort of height isn't.

I'm sorry, but I'll put this one with drivers who clout stationary objects (e.g. skips and parked cars) in the road and complain they were there - if you clout something that is visible to the eye and isn't moving, then you really weren't paying attention and I can't support legal cases surrounding people who have done that.

I might see it differently if the OP had a sight defect, but I expect such people use their hands to do the same thing, probably even more obsessively than non-disabled tall people!

It’s a lot easier to see a skip or a car than it is to see transparent glass.

And whilst I generally agree with the principle you’re arguing, at the same time banging your head against the overhead luggage rack should not be able to cause that much damage. The glass should not be breaking on such an impact it should be able to withstand it, and if it had withstood the impact then the OP likely wouldn’t have needed to go to hospital afterwards.

 

[Bletchleyite]

It’s a lot easier to see a skip or a car than it is to see transparent glass.

I could see an argument for sticking some transfers to the bottom of it to make it more visible.

And whilst I generally agree with the principle you’re arguing, at the same time banging your head against the overhead luggage rack should not be able to cause that much damage. The glass should not be breaking on such an impact it should be able to withstand it, and if it had withstood the impact then the OP likely wouldn’t have needed to go to hospital afterwards.

I agree it shouldn't break, but it's far from clear the crack caused the injury. Simply impacting against something hard can break the skin.

 

[MikeWM]

I'm under six foot and I've certainly given myself a bash on the head from these a few times when standing up too quickly, it seems surprisingly easy to do. Fortunately nothing broke, and I've done it enough times now to hopefully remember not to do it again.

It does seem odd there are warnings about minding the step to/from these areas but no warning about being careful when standing up.

 

[bleeder4]

I'm under six foot and I've certainly given myself a bash on the head from these a few times when standing up too quickly, it seems surprisingly easy to do. Fortunately nothing broke, and I've done it enough times now to hopefully remember not to do it again.

It does seem odd there are warnings about minding the step to/from these areas but no warning about being careful when standing up.

How far do you go with these warnings though?

"Mind your buggy has the brakes on as the train passes"
"Mind you're standing behind the yellow line"
"Mind you let everyone off first before getting on"
"Mind the gap when boarding the train"
"Mind your head when standing up"

etc etc

We already have so many warnings that people just phase them out as background noise.

 

[ivorytoast28]

I think its called common sense , if you are tall you should be aware of your surroundings , enjoy your trip forget about suing .

In general things are designed with safety in mind. We could say there's no need to lock train doors as it is common sense to not get off a train when moving, but we do. Any engineer will know every product is designed with every safety in mind. People make mistakes and we design with that in mind. Certainly, if this has been highlighted as a risk then these luggage racks on raised sections should be removed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 May 2024 ==

How far do you go with these warnings though?

"Mind your buggy has the brakes on as the train passes"
"Mind you're standing behind the yellow line"
"Mind you let everyone off first before getting on"
"Mind the gap when boarding the train"
"Mind your head when standing up"

etc etc

We already have so many warnings that people just phase them out as background noise.

Signage on the item is probably a better approach on physical dangers, or in this case don't have something that isn't needed. As you say automated announcements will just be ignored and they're already endless

 

[joystick]

And where would the luggage go ? people might trip ,it's endless.

 

[Howardh]

In general things are designed with safety in mind. We could say there's no need to lock train doors as it is common sense to not get off a train when moving, but we do. Any engineer will know every product is designed with every safety in mind. People make mistakes and we design with that in mind. Certainly, if this has been highlighted as a risk then these luggage racks on raised sections should be removed

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 May 2024 ==


Signage on the item is probably a better approach on physical dangers, or in this case don't have something that isn't needed. As you say automated announcements will just be ignored and they're already endless

And then if you remove the racks, people leave their luggage on the floor and in doorways, precipitating a fall as I once did trying to navigate over bags in a corridor. If racks have to removed does that apply to aircraft too, and will seats be removed to allow more baggage space?

The OP sounds like a bad accident, and those happen especially if you spatially unaware. I lost the tip of my finger in the pub doorway (perfectly sober!). An accident, no-one to blame.

 

[tehmarks]

I think its called common sense , if you are tall you should be aware of your surroundings , enjoy your trip forget about suing .

I think it's called common sense not to make something, directly above seats and that is low enough for even a moderately tall person to crack their head on, out of transparent material.

 

[800001]

I think it's called common sense not to make something, directly above seats and that is low enough for even a moderately tall person to crack their head on, out of transparent material.

Even though it has a very visible grey frame around the glass!

 

[MikeWM]

How far do you go with these warnings though?

Personally, I'd much prefer there to be none at all! If I get a sore head, that's my fault for forgetting to be careful.

My point was that it was odd they've gone to the trouble of creating an announcement to warn you about falling up/down the step in these areas, but neglected to mention how easy it is to bash your head, which seems equally (if not more) serious. Should be both, or neither.

 

[ac6000cw]

If the racks are too low, which they clearly are in this case, they either need raising or removing.

...or add a layer of resilient material/padding on the underside and make them a more visible colour e.g. yellow or black/yellow stripes.

 

[MikeWM]

...or add a layer of resilient material/padding on the underside and make them a more visible colour e.g. yellow or black/yellow stripes.

Some resilient but soft padding would definitely help.

Not sure extra visibility would be useful - for me at least the issue is getting up quickly after having sat there for the journey. You tend not to look up before doing so (or at least I don't!) and by that point you've probably forgotten there may be an issue with limited clearance.