Thursday 23 June 2022 10:41 AM Family of grandfather who died after drunkenly falling off stairs sue JD ... trends now

Thursday 23 June 2022 10:41 AM Family of grandfather who died after drunkenly falling off stairs sue JD ... trends now
Thursday 23 June 2022 10:41 AM Family of grandfather who died after drunkenly falling off stairs sue JD ... trends now

Thursday 23 June 2022 10:41 AM Family of grandfather who died after drunkenly falling off stairs sue JD ... trends now

The 74 year-old grandfather died on New Year's Day 2018 after he fell eight feet from the stairs and landed on his head at Norwich's Queen of Iceni pub in April 2016.

Brian McAlister, from Brandon in Suffolk, was walking to the toilet when he lost his balance, suffered 'catastrophic' injuries.

He was left confined to a wheelchair, and later died from the impact of paralysis.

His family, led by daughter Pamela Suttle, are now suing JD Wetherspoon Ltd for more than £150,000, blaming the 'unusual design' of the pub's staircase for his death.

In a High Court action, Ms Suttle's lawyers claim the 'unsafe' layout of the staircase made it more likely that someone who fell on the steps would fall over the bannister.

Lawyers representing Brian McAlister's family claimed the 'unusual' stairs at The Queen of Iceni pub in Norwich had caused his death

Lawyers representing Brian McAlister's family claimed the 'unusual' stairs at The Queen of Iceni pub in Norwich had caused his death

Brian McAlister, 74, had been drinking in the Norwich pub in April 2016 when he fell, sustaining horrific injuries which led to his death less than two years later

Brian McAlister, 74, had been drinking in the Norwich pub in April 2016 when he fell, sustaining horrific injuries which led to his death less than two years later

The pub chain denies any responsibility and says Mr McAlister was himself to blame for what happened, having drunk so much he needed alcohol detoxification medication afterwards.

Writing in documents filed at the London court, the family's barrister Elizabeth-Anne Gumbel QC said Mr McAlister had been on his way to the toilet on the upper floor when he fell.

'As can be seen from the available CCTV footage, he slid down the stair rail and fell over the balustrade at a distance of 2.6 metres [8.5ft], falling on his head and suffering catastrophic injuries,' she says.

'His fall and consequent injuries leading ultimately to his death were caused by the unsafe design of the staircase that was unsafe for a public house, where lawful visitors had to ascend the stairs to access the lavatory and where it was foreseeable that lawful visitors would also

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