Six-figure settlement secured after waterslide accident led to leg fracture
Louise Hart secured a six-figure settlement for the personal injuries suffered by a claimant who sustained serious leg injuries after going down a waterslide with her 5 year old son on her lap in accordance with signage.
While on holiday at Center Parcs at Longleat in 2019, the claimant’s son wanted to go down a certain waterslide. Measuring her son against the height ruler at the entrance and checking the signs and guidance at the top of the slide, she realised her son wouldn’t be able to stand up in the landing pool. The signage referred to no chains of people descending the slide. Wanting to keep her child safe, she decided to place her son on her lap on the basis of the sign at the top of the slide which states that ‘children between 0.6 metres and 1.2 metres may go down accompanied by an adult’.
With no lifeguard at the entrance to provide guidance on how to go down the slide, the claimant went down the slide. On landing she lifted her son into the air (to avoid him from being submerged), tipping her legs downward – hitting the base of the pool. The claimant experienced immediate pain to her leg and attracted the attention of a nearby lifeguard who was able to take her son out of the pool and arrange for a second lifeguard to come and support the claimant.
The impact on our client.
The claimant was rushed to Salisbury District Hospital and was diagnosed as having experienced a Schatzker V fracture of her left tibial plateau, an avulsion fracture of her fibula and likely Grade II tear of the posterolateral corner of the lateral collateral ligament.
Undergoing operations to address the injuries, she had metalwork inserted in her knee which was eventually removed in 2022. She also developed a deep vein thrombosis as a result of her injuries.
The injuries impacted her life to a great extent. She was unable to return to her normal work at a beach café due to the injuries and was restricted to admin work and needed to employ staff to carry out her previous duties.
She continued to suffer with long-term mobility issues, experiencing difficulties squatting, using ladders, descending stairs, traversing uneven ground. She was unable to return to her previous hobbies of distance running, and skiing. She was advised that she would best be suited to living in single storey accommodation over the long term.
Additionally, she also has an increased risk of developing osteoarthritis and is likely to require a knee replacement in the future.
How RWK Goodman helped.
Center Parcs denied liability for the claimant’s injuries. Center Parcs stated that millions of people had used the slide since it came into operation in 1994. Louise Hart pursued a claim for damages including loss of earnings, care, medical expenses, aids and equipment and accommodation needs among others.
RWKG worked with the claimant to obtain medical evidence from a Consultant Trauma and Orthopaedic Expert and a Consultant in Vascular Surgery, as well as expert evidence from a Water Safety and Aquatic Expert and a Forensic Accountant regarding loss of income.
The matter was settled at a Joint Settlement meeting in March 2025, with the claimant receiving a total six-figure sum for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, loss of earnings and pension, care and medical expenses, aids and equipment, accommodation needs, and loss of services.
The claimant said: “Louise and her excellent team were consistently supportive, responsive and meticulous. It was a difficult case but they took the time to explain every step clearly and kept me informed throughout. Louise sourced top class medical expert witnesses to advise on my treatment and rehabilitation. These included private scans and consultations with a leading surgeon in the field. This really helped my recovery take the best possible course.
“The outcome of my case was genuinely life-changing, and I have no doubt it was achieved thanks to the hard work and expertise of Louise and her team. I’m very grateful – not just for the result, but for the way they made me feel involved with my case and supported during a very challenging time.”
Our expert solicitors are on your side when you or a loved one has suffered a life-changing injury. Contact our enquiries team today to find out how we can help.
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