DJ Awarded Compensation After Falling Brickwork Incident
A London court has ordered a property company to pay a substantial payout to a DJ who was struck by falling brickwork outside a cafe in northwest London. Chloe Caillet, a professional DJ, was injured when a section of brick cornice suddenly detached from a building owned by O'Hare Holdings Ltd and fell on her outside the Kipferl Cafe.
The incident left her with injuries to her neck, shoulder, back, and foot, as well as bruising and psychological effects such as anxiety and sleep disturbance. During the court proceedings, it was revealed that Caillet narrowly avoided more serious injury because she was leaning forward looking at her phone at the time of the accident. This posture caused the debris to miss her head, potentially saving her from life-threatening harm.
Initial Claim and Social Media Evidence
Caillet initially sought nearly £100,000 in damages, arguing that the injuries left her unable to work for six months. However, the defense challenged this claim by presenting social media evidence that showed her attending events in locations such as New York and Nevada during the period she claimed to be incapacitated. Caillet countered that she was only undertaking limited or "passive" work rather than performing at her usual level as a DJ.
Recorder Karl King, presiding over the case, found that while Caillet had ongoing symptoms from her injuries, she had returned to some level of work after approximately three months. The court rejected the assertion that she had been dishonest about her condition but also declined to award the full amount sought for lost earnings.
Compensation and Legal Costs
Instead of the full claim, Caillet was granted approximately £14,000 in compensation for her injuries and treatment costs. Additionally, O'Hare Holdings was ordered to pay around £75,000 towards her legal costs, bringing the total payout to roughly £90,000. The judge concluded that while Caillet's injuries were genuine, they did not fully prevent her from working for the entire six-month period she had claimed.
The case highlights the importance of property maintenance and the potential liabilities for building owners when structures fail. It also underscores the scrutiny courts apply to claims of lost earnings, especially when social media evidence suggests otherwise.
