Shoe Shop Sued Over High Heel

Tag : Heels Shoes

11:55am UK, Wednesday July 09, 2008 A student has been awarded more than £7,000 compensation afterbreaking her ankle when a high heel snapped on her new shoes.
High heels can be hazardous
Sophie King, 20, successfully sued shoe shop Dolcis in an actionthat could pave the way for hundreds of similar claims from womenwhose heels have malfuctioned.
Miss King, from Knutsford, Cheshire, had bought the shoes fromManchester's Trafford Centre, and wore them for the first time on anight out with friends.
She was walking along a tram platform when the heel snapped,causing her left foot to hit the ground hard and fracturing herankle.
She tried to continue with her night out, but the injury meant shelater needed an ambulance to take her to hospital.
Doctors put screws into her leg, and she was in plaster for severalweeks.
Miss King, who is studying English Literature at Durham University,was forced to quit a waitressing job she had arranged for theChristmas holiday following the accident in November 2004.
After waiting for more than three years, she finally won her battlefor compensation on June 5 when she was awarded £7,200 atManchester County Court, as the shoe shop admitted liability.
Dolcis has been in administration for more than six months.
Mike Hardacre, from Manchester law firm Pannone, which representedMiss King, said the Sale of Goods Act gives protection toconsumers.
He said: "Sophie had only bought the shoes a week before and hadnever worn them.
"She was minding her own business on a night out with her friendswhen it happened.
"In most cases when the product itself is faulty you get your moneyback. Solicitors only get involved if there is an injury.
"This case highlights the fact that consumers are well protected inEnglish law where products purchased are defective."