Pensioner Wins Damages for Bus Injury

A pensioner from West Bromwich has won £25,000 in damages after she was injured when a bus driver pulled away as she was getting off at her stop.

Doreen Tyler, 82, was stepping off the bus when it started moving again. Realising that she was still on board, the driver braked suddenly. Mrs Tyler was thrown against a supporting pole and fell to the floor. She suffered cuts to her head and has since been diagnosed with ‘drop foot’, a neurological disorder that can be caused by trauma or nerve damage. Sufferers have difficulty raising the front part of the foot and the condition makes walking very painful.

Prior to the accident, Mrs Tyler had no mobility problems and was able to live independently. She now finds it very difficult to walk and has had to have alterations made to her home, such as aids to get in and out of the bath, to assist with day-to-day activities. She is unable to walk as far as the bus stop and has to rely on the local Ring and Ride door-to-door minibus service.

After Mrs Tyler brought a personal injury claim against the bus operator, a £25,000 out-of-court settlement was agreed. This will help pay for the alterations to Mrs Tyler’s home and other expenses she has incurred as a result of her injury.