Shopper sues Bunnings for $317,000 in compensation after she suffered a traumatic brain injury from a lowering boom gate – but the hardware giant claims there’s another side to the story
- Angela Kraay is claiming $317,000 from Bunnings after a boom gate hit her head
- The Gold Coast seamstress claims she suffered a mild traumatic brain injury
- In response, Bunnings alleges Ms Kraay walked into already lowering boom gate
Bunnings claims a seamstress who is seeking $317,000 compensation from the warehouse giant walked into an already lowering boom gate.
Angela Julienne Kraay lodged a claim against Bunnings in the Southport District Court in May this year after she was hit on the head at the Oxenford store on August 21, 2015.
Ms Kraay said she became anxious, reclusive and unable to sew quickly after suffering the traumatic brain injury when the boom gate ‘suddenly lowered and a sharp metal sign’ struck her on the front left side of her forehead.
But the warehouse giant alleges Ms Kraay walked into an already lowering boom gate, The Gold Coast Bulletin reported.
Angela Julienne Kraay (pictured before the alleged incident) claims she has become anxious, reclusive and unable to sew quickly after allegedly being hit in the head by a boom-gate at a Bunnings store in August, 2015
Bunnings alleges Ms Kraay walked into an already lowering boom gate (stock image)
Bunnings claims the area where the incident occurred is the ‘vehicle exit for the timber yard’, which is not usually used by pedestrians.
‘It was not reasonably foreseeable that (Ms Kraay) would act as she did,’ Bunnings claimed in their response filed in court.
In their defence, the warehouse giant also claimed Ms Kraay did not pay attention to where she was walking through.
‘(Ms Kraay) ignored the obvious indications that the area was not an entrance for customers on foot as indicated by factors including markings on the concrete driveway and the existence of a boom gate,’ the documents read.
They have also alleged Ms Kraay has recovered from her injuries.
Back in June Ms Kraay claimed the incident left her with a mild traumatic brain injury which impairs her memory and cognitive ability.
Ms Kraay claims she was walking through the timber yard when a boom-gate ‘suddenly lowered and a sharp metal sign’ struck her on the front left side of her forehead
She said this has slowed down her ability to perform normal tasks.
‘I used to love the outdoors, I ran a business as a seamstress and I spent as much time as possible with family and friends,’ she told Daily Mail Australia in a written statement.
‘Now I’m a recluse and prefer to stay home because I’m so anxious and have lost so much confidence, both professionally and personally.’
‘I still live with terrible discomfort and it’s also been hard for my partner who has been supporting me since the accident.
‘No amount of money can undo what has happened to me but I want Bunnings to make changes to protect the safety of other people.’
The case remains before the Southport District Court.
Ms Kraay claims the injury left her with a mild traumatic brain injury which impairs her memory and cognitive ability