Burning knees in cement... now she wants to sue!
Discussion
Daily Mail story said... said:
A mum was left with horrific burns on her legs after kneeling in B&Q cement while carrying out DIY in her kitchen.
Jane Dobson feared her legs 'were going to explode' after corrosive cement soaked through her trousers and began burning her flesh.
The 46-year-old spent nine days in hospital and needed a skin graft after suffering the gruesome injuries as she tried to lay cement on her kitchen floor.
Burns: Jane Dobson spent nine days in hospital and had to have a skin graft after kneeling in cement at her home
Burns: Jane Dobson spent nine days in hospital and had to have a skin graft after kneeling in cement at her home
Details of Miss Dobson's injuries were revealed to a court after Trading Standards tried to prosecute the Hampshire-based DIY chain.
They claimed the company's own brand cement was unsafe and had inadequate warning signs about the dangers of the cement.
Jane Dobson is now considering a private civil action against B&Q after a judge found the firm had not breached any safety laws
It was claimed the lime ingredient becomes dangerous when water is added to the cement powder and starts to burn skin if not washed off within minutes of contact.
Southampton magistrates heard the label on the cement, bought from its Nursling depot near Southampton, Hants, read: 'Risk of serious damage to eyes. Irritating to respiratory system and skin.
'In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. Wear eye and face protection.'
Giving evidence Miss Dobson, who has a 19-year-old son and a granddaughter, said although at the time she felt no pain, she went to Southampton General Hospital where she underwent tests.
Tearfully, she said: 'There wasn't any sensation in my leg and knees and I was told I would need skin grafts - I said don't be silly I have to go to work in the morning. I was feeling no pain.
'I didn't get pain until the early hours of the morning. I thought my legs were going to explode.'
Doctors then carried out skin grafts at Odstock Burns Unit at Salisbury District Hospital, Wilts.
Simon Antrobus, defending B&Q, who had denied the allegations, argued the cement was 'self-levelling'.
During the case the judge heard that since the incident B&Q now warns of risks of dermatitis or burns on its self-levelling cement.
District judge Anthony Callaway threw out both charges after determining that the product did not breach any safety laws and the chain store could not have reasonably foreseen someone kneeling in it.
After the hearing Miss Dobson, an engineering NVQ assessor from Millbrook, Southampton, said she is now considering a private civil action.
She said: 'Before it happened I was all toned up and proud of my legs.
'I used to enjoy swimming - but I can't do that anymore and I can't go out in shorts because my knees look so bad.'
A spokesman for B&Q said: 'We agree with the judge's decision and hope this brings the case to a close.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1357208/Ja...
Should have got the pro's in...Jane Dobson feared her legs 'were going to explode' after corrosive cement soaked through her trousers and began burning her flesh.
The 46-year-old spent nine days in hospital and needed a skin graft after suffering the gruesome injuries as she tried to lay cement on her kitchen floor.
Burns: Jane Dobson spent nine days in hospital and had to have a skin graft after kneeling in cement at her home
Burns: Jane Dobson spent nine days in hospital and had to have a skin graft after kneeling in cement at her home
Details of Miss Dobson's injuries were revealed to a court after Trading Standards tried to prosecute the Hampshire-based DIY chain.
They claimed the company's own brand cement was unsafe and had inadequate warning signs about the dangers of the cement.
Jane Dobson is now considering a private civil action against B&Q after a judge found the firm had not breached any safety laws
It was claimed the lime ingredient becomes dangerous when water is added to the cement powder and starts to burn skin if not washed off within minutes of contact.
Southampton magistrates heard the label on the cement, bought from its Nursling depot near Southampton, Hants, read: 'Risk of serious damage to eyes. Irritating to respiratory system and skin.
'In case of contact with eyes, rinse immediately with plenty of water and seek medical advice. Wear eye and face protection.'
Giving evidence Miss Dobson, who has a 19-year-old son and a granddaughter, said although at the time she felt no pain, she went to Southampton General Hospital where she underwent tests.
Tearfully, she said: 'There wasn't any sensation in my leg and knees and I was told I would need skin grafts - I said don't be silly I have to go to work in the morning. I was feeling no pain.
'I didn't get pain until the early hours of the morning. I thought my legs were going to explode.'
Doctors then carried out skin grafts at Odstock Burns Unit at Salisbury District Hospital, Wilts.
Simon Antrobus, defending B&Q, who had denied the allegations, argued the cement was 'self-levelling'.
During the case the judge heard that since the incident B&Q now warns of risks of dermatitis or burns on its self-levelling cement.
District judge Anthony Callaway threw out both charges after determining that the product did not breach any safety laws and the chain store could not have reasonably foreseen someone kneeling in it.
After the hearing Miss Dobson, an engineering NVQ assessor from Millbrook, Southampton, said she is now considering a private civil action.
She said: 'Before it happened I was all toned up and proud of my legs.
'I used to enjoy swimming - but I can't do that anymore and I can't go out in shorts because my knees look so bad.'
A spokesman for B&Q said: 'We agree with the judge's decision and hope this brings the case to a close.'
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1357208/Ja...
I find this interesting. It's all very well for any bloke who knows about cement to accuse her of being a money grabbing bint, but was she really made aware of the dangers by the seller? Indeed, have you taken a look around the gas fittings in the plumbing section?? I have mates who are plumbers who reckon it's only a matter of time before some DIYr fecks up big time. So, article aside, who really is to blame?
I've never used cement in my life.
Would I kneel in it, probably not as I wouldn't want to get covered in the stuff much like I wouldn't kneel in mud or s
t.
Was I aware it could eat through my clothes and burn my skin? Not at all.
I'd expect information like that to be on the bag quite prominently.
Would I kneel in it, probably not as I wouldn't want to get covered in the stuff much like I wouldn't kneel in mud or s
t.Was I aware it could eat through my clothes and burn my skin? Not at all.
I'd expect information like that to be on the bag quite prominently.
pacman1 said:
I find this interesting. It's all very well for any bloke who knows about cement to accuse her of being a money grabbing bint, but was she really made aware of the dangers by the seller? Indeed, have you taken a look around the gas fittings in the plumbing section?? I have mates who are plumbers who reckon it's only a matter of time before some DIYr fecks up big time. So, article aside, who really is to blame?
Ahem: the post above yours:dirkgently said:
Daily Mail story said... said:
Miss Dobson, an engineering NVQ assessor
pacman1 said:
I find this interesting. It's all very well for any bloke who knows about cement to accuse her of being a money grabbing bint, but was she really made aware of the dangers by the seller? Indeed, have you taken a look around the gas fittings in the plumbing section?? I have mates who are plumbers who reckon it's only a matter of time before some DIYr fecks up big time. So, article aside, who really is to blame?
People who dont take responsibility for their (stupid) actions?pacman1 said:
I find this interesting. It's all very well for any bloke who knows about cement to accuse her of being a money grabbing bint, but was she really made aware of the dangers by the seller? Indeed, have you taken a look around the gas fittings in the plumbing section?? I have mates who are plumbers who reckon it's only a matter of time before some DIYr fecks up big time. So, article aside, who really is to blame?
She is. Undertaking a complex task without taking any precautions or preparation whatsoever. pokethepope said:
pacman1 said:
I find this interesting. It's all very well for any bloke who knows about cement to accuse her of being a money grabbing bint, but was she really made aware of the dangers by the seller? Indeed, have you taken a look around the gas fittings in the plumbing section?? I have mates who are plumbers who reckon it's only a matter of time before some DIYr fecks up big time. So, article aside, who really is to blame?
People who dont take responsibility for their (stupid) actions?Duty. of. Care.
Like one of the previous posters, I would not kneel in cement as surely that would ruin the smooth finish but this story has now reminded me that I once heard of another accident involving burns from cement yet saying that I don't believe it's common knowledge amongst us non builders.
singlecoil said:
Is it? I must admit that I didn't know. I don't think I would kneel in it, but I didn't know that it burned in a chemical sense, and I do know quite a lot of stuff about various things.
...there's a lot of stuff you don't know. And you don't know that you don't know it. 
singlecoil said:
grumbledoak said:
It's pretty common knowledge that cement burns.
Is it? I must admit that I didn't know. I don't think I would kneel in it, but I didn't know that it burned in a chemical sense, and I do know quite a lot of stuff about various things.Gassing Station | News, Politics & Economics | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff