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Tesco delivery driver sues customer after slipping and twisting his ankle on driveway
Last updated at 14:12pm on 20.08.08
A Tesco delivery driver is suing one of the supermarket giant's customers after he slipped on the man's driveway while dropping off some groceries.
Andrew Britton has demanded compensation from father-of two Paul Singleton because he twisted an ankle in April.
Mr Singleton called Tesco after he received a lawyer's letter from Mr Britton three months after the incident, but was told it was a private claim and that the company would not comment further.
Paul Singleton is being sued by a Tesco's delivery driver who tripped at the entrance to his large detached North Yorkshire home
The estate agent this morning told of his anger over the claim.
He said: 'I've been using this service for at least three years.
'It was so easy - I would press a buzzer to open my front gate and the driver would come in.
'My driveway is perfectly safe and only slopes down by about an inch.
'On April 10 one of the drivers mentioned he had gone over on his ankle.
'I asked him if he was okay and he said "Yes mate, no problem". He carried on unloading the bags from the van and seemed fine, so I thought no more of it.
'The deliveries continued for three months with no problems until I suddenly got a solicitor's letter out of the blue telling me the driver was suing me because he had injured his ankle after falling on my drive.
'I was stunned and livid and felt completely bemused.'
Mr Singleton, who lives in a five-bedroom detached property in Hemingbrough, North Yorkshire, added: 'The best way to describe my driveway is undulating, it is paved and slopes down slightly, but no-one has ever had any problems before. It is just a normal driveway.
'I think the driver must have jumped from his van to the floor instead of slowly climbing out and injured himself that way.
Danger? Mr Singleton's sloped driveway
Loyal customer: Singleton had used the store's online shopping service for several years
'He's claiming he was parked on my land instead of by the roadside.'
Tesco's legal team told the 40-year-old there was nothing they could do because it was a private claim.
He said: 'They're just not interested, despite me being a loyal customer who has spent a lot of money with them - I won't be shopping with them again after this.
'It's embarrassing for them.'
Singleton lives with girlfriend Tracey Brown, 30, and his two daughters.
He has employed a solicitor to handle the case brought against him by Britton, who lives in York.
A Tesco spokesman said: 'Because it is an individual claim Tesco are not involved in any way, so it would be inappropriate of us to comment on the matter.'
Mr Britton's solicitors, Thornleys, also refused to comment.
Reader views (11)
It's amazing that Tesco take the view that this is nothing to do with them.
An employee, on Tesco company business, takes it upon himself to bring a frivolous law suit against one of their customers, thus bringing massive negative publicity for Tesco. That should be immediate grounds for dismissal.
Tesco should pay his claim, then fire him for gross misconduct in bringing the company into disrepute.
- Tim, London
I would like to know whether the driver returned back to work? How could he sue, didn't know these things were possible. I hope he doesn't get a penny and forced to pay court costs.
- Miss P, Middlesex
If I was Mr Singleton I'd deliver my reply to this shameless chancer by hand and make sure that I tripped up on his doorstep and hurt my ankle...
- Paul, London
Hate to see that the same litigious mentality that has so negatively impacted life in the US make it sorry way across the Atlantic; my guess, he saw the house, thought they look rich, and some half baked solicitor is having a go. If your hurt on the job, doesn't your employer have sole responsibility?
- Ann Marie Wood, florida, usa.
As I went to click on the story about Mr Singleton my elbow slipped off my desk and gave my forearm a very nasty scratch. Now, should I sue The BBC, Tesco, Paul Singleton, the maker of my keyboard, the maker of the mouse or the maker of my chair?
Or, should I sue the shops that sold them to me, my ISP, Tim Berners-lee, Microsoft or the electricity company. I'm absolutely sure it must be someone's fault.
- Martin, victoria canada
Perhaps Paul Singleton should consider suing Tesco for failing to train their employee properly.
I would be interested to know if the solicitors acting are a "no win no fee" firm.
- Mike Melbourne, Bedford
If his house is insured (i.e. buildings insurance), he ought to check his insurance policy -- I would have thought it would have covered him against injury claims. (My own policy includes "property owner's liability", which covers "accidental bodily injury to any person".)
- Richard Hancock, Bracknell, UK
If the driver was delivering goods in Tesco time in a Tesco van then it has everything to do with Tesco. The driver probably tried and failed to claim against Tesco so is now trying against the home owner.
- Adam, Harrow, uk
Frivolous claim v. estate agent?
Hard to have sympathy for the estate agent.
- Md, London, UK
Wonder how long before I will have to get the Post Office to sign a disclaimer stating that their staff walk up my drive at their own risk? Or would an American style post box on the edge of my property be the next step to take?
- H Phull, Northolt
If this chancer wins his case that's goodnight for Tesco and Ocado and their ilk. Also the postman, the meter readers and any tradesmen or artisans entering one's house. Everyone will have to take out liability insurance or let no one cross their threshold.
- Squiz, Islington
