Woman sues London Underground after suffering facial injuries

Posted 26/09/2010

A female Tube passenger is seeking personal injury compensation after a defective London Underground train left her with facial wounds.

The woman was hit in the face by a canvas barrier that came loose between the carriages at Mile End station during the morning rush hour on November 17th last year, the Evening Standard reports.

One of three people injured in the incident, she required hospital treatment for a cut eye and a two-inch head injury.

London Underground is also being prosecuted by the Office of Rail Regulation over the accident and has said it will plead guilty to breaching health and safety laws.

It could be fined up to £20,000, with an internal report finding that the westbound Central Line train was allowed to continue even though the dislodged canvas screen had been spotted earlier at Leytonstone station.

“We detected there was a faulty barrier and we failed to remove it promptly and efficiently,” said Mike Strzelecki, director of safety at the Tube operator.

A London Underground train derailed near Mile End station in July 2007. A total of 20 passengers needed medical treatment but no serious injuries or fatalities occurred.