Woman sues BMW for airbag injuries (From This is Hampshire)

Woman sues BMW for airbag injuries

12:00pm Friday 15th December 2006

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A HAMPSHIRE woman is suing the BMW car maker after being severely injured when a car airbag exploded in a high-speed crash.

Ruth Findlay, 49, of Kings Worthy, near Winchester, is demanding damages of £150,000 from BMW after the accident in May 2003.

She was a passenger in a BMW estate car driven by Nicholas Findlay - thought to be her husband - when he collided with a deer at about 97 mph, according to a writ issued in the High Court.

The airbag inflated, and caused devastating injuries to both eyes, including a ruptured right eyeball, a fractured right eye socket, and severe internal damage to her left eye.

Mrs Findlay, pictured, an NHS manager, subsequently needed three operations, suffered psychological difficulties and had to take months off work.

Although she returned to work, her health deteriorated and she took sick leave in September 2005.

Mrs Findlay, of Ilex Close, is believed to be still off work.

She blames BMW for her injuries, which she alleges were caused by a defect in the car, which was not as safe as she was entitled to expect.

There should have been no risk of injury from the airbag, and the airbag deployed late, the writ says.

Mrs Findlay also accuses BMW of failing to design, install or supply a safe system of passenger protection.

She says she had no sight, or only extremely limited sight, for the first three months after the accident, and needed nursing care and support.

Although after August 2003 she tried to become more independent, she still needed help with shopping, washing, and cooking.

She is likely to need care and help in future, and will have to pay workmen to decorate and do the DIY she used to do herself.

Mrs Findlay also sued Mr Findlay for damages, blaming him for the accident on the M4 in Wiltshire, saying he was driving at an excessive speed and hit a deer as it crossed the carriageway, the court will hear.

Mrs Findlay accuses him of driving too quickly, failing to see the deer in good time, failing to heed signs warning of deer for 50 miles, failing to avoid the collision, and driving without due care and attention.

When contacted by the Daily Echo, Mrs Findlay declined to comment.

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