After a seven year legal battle, compensation will be paid to those who suffered the injuries
Birmingham High Court has ruled a defective Curry’s-bought appliance caused a home fire that left two children with life-changing injuries.
Zayyaan Al-Iqra, now 12, and his 11-year-old brother Zeeshaan were just toddlers when the Matsui fan heater caught fire in August 2011 - causing a blaze to rip through their rented home.
Zayyaan, then aged four, experienced burns across 25 per cent of his body and lost almost all function in both his hands. Zeeshaan, then three, suffered a hypoxic brain injury as well as burns to his face, ear, hand and thighs.
Their mother, Farida Begum, had bought the Matsui MRHE 1800 Tower Oscillating Fan Heater from their local Curry’s store in Highgate, Birmingham in October 2009.
The home of the family after the fire, which was caused by the faulty appliance
With backing from Thompsons Solicitors, she launched legal proceedings on behalf of her sons against DSG Retail Ltd, which operates Curry’s, alleging the heater was defective – a claim the company denied.
After a seven-year legal battle, today (Thursday 7 March 2019) HJ McKenna found the heater was the cause of the fire and that it was defective within the meaning of the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
Speaking after the judgment, Ms Begum said: “The fire has dramatically changed our lives. Both of my sons experienced serious injuries that day that continue to require regular hospital appointments and impact their ability to do things that other children their age can do. My oldest son cannot ride a bike, for example, because of the injuries he sustained. They have lost confidence and they have missed a lot of school due to the ongoing medical treatment.
“Everything has changed for us all. They need constant care.”
We are delighted of course to have secured this judgment, which means the boys can now get financial help with their ongoing rehabilitation and hopefully financial security for life. The least DSG Retail can do now is behave with some humanity and ensure compensation is promptly paid.Karl De-Loyde Senior serious injury solicitor
The High Court judgment means work can now begin to assess the total level of damages owed to the family. In the meantime, the children will be able to access an interim compensation payment that will help cover the cost of their care and rehabilitation.
Karl De-Loyde, the serious injury expert at Thompsons Solicitors who acted for the family, said: “We are delighted of course to have secured this judgment, which means the boys can now get financial help with their ongoing rehabilitation and hopefully financial security for life but DSG Retail should take a long look at themselves for having delayed the matter for years and forcing the case to trial. The least they can do now is behave with some humanity and ensure compensation is promptly paid.”
Looking for legal advice following serious injury? Chat to one of our specialists today.
Thompsons Solicitors will move swiftly to support you or your loved one to build a case for compensation after catastrophic injury. Our priority is to establish the facts and apply for interim payments as quickly as possible to secure vital funds for treatment and rehabilitation. The aim is to get you, or your loved one, on the road to recovery as soon as possible.
Our committed serious injury specialists secure millions of pounds in damages for seriously injured people each year and are supported by Client Support Coordinators and groups such as the Spinal Injuries Association, Headway and the Limbless Association, to signpost clients to sources of further aid.
If you, or someone you care about, has been catastrophically injured in the last three years contact us today for a free, no obligation consultation with a serious injury expert to discuss your serious injury compensation claim.
For further information, visit our How to Make A Compensation Claim page.