Disabled visitor suing London Zoo for £300k after staff member allegedly fractured her pelvis in wheelchair accident

 
James Pepper5 March 2014

A disabled visitor to London Zoo is suing the world-renowned attraction for £300,000 after a member of staff allegedly reversed an electric wheelchair into her.

Yalda Valizadeh, who muscular dystrophy, is claiming damages at the High Court following the incident in 2011 which left her with a fractured pelvis.

Ms Valizadah, who uses crutches, had booked an electric wheelchair for her trip to the Regents Park zoo and was waiting at the customer service desk when a member of staff is said to have careered into her.

The claim says that Mr Yodell, an employee of the Zoo, reversed the electric wheelchair into the 37-year-old and knocked her to the floor.

Ms Valizadah, who lives in New Cross, south London, initially returned home but was taken to hospital by ambulance when the pain became too much to bear.

X-rays at St Thomas’ Hospital revealed she had fractured her pelvis in the fall.

The High Court documents explain how prolonged bedrest following the accident increased weakness in both her left and right sides and had made her much less mobile than before due to muscle-wasting which exacerbating her condition.

According to the claim, the fall has lead her to need an increase in care and support to assist her with day-to-day living.

Ms Valizadeh claims damages will exceed £300,000 against the London Zoological Society over her injuries and losses.

A spokesperson for the London Zoological Society said: “We’re unable to comment on a current case.”

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