Torts (I): negligence

Abstract

Mrs Fiona Sykes owns a grocery shop which is situated in the suburbs of a large town. During the last two years she has run her shop as a self-service store. Customers select the goods they wish to purchase, placing them in wire baskets, and then pay at the cash desk. On one occasion a customer, Sheila Hayward, is reaching to get some tins when the shelf on which the tins are placed comes away from the wall and Sheila sustains quite a serious arm injury as a result of the shelf and its contents falling on her. Sheila’s injuries cause her considerable discomfort and necessitate hospital treatment. She is also forced, because of her incapacity, to give up some typing she was doing at home for a local firm. Sheila decides to take the matter to court.