Electrocuted Student Makes Personal Injury Claim

Magdalena Knez

Student’s heart stopped after electrocution in London’s St James’ Park

A university student had a heart attack and suffered a serious brain injury when she was electrocuted in London’s St James’ Park.

Anastasija Grigorjeva’s heart stopped following the massive electric shock in the famous Royal park when her foot fell through a grate containing an exposed electric wire.

Anastasija, 21, who has lost some of her memory as a result of the incident, is now taking legal action against the Royal Parks through specialist personal injury lawyers Osbornes Law.

What happened?

The physiotherapy student at Daugavpils University in her native Latvia, was with her friend, sister Snezana and her sister’s boyfriend when they stood on a lit up metal grate in July this year to take a photo. The friends were on holiday visiting Snezana, who lives in the UK.

Snezana Grigorjeva, 27 from Wimbledon, south London, saw her suddenly collapse like she had broken her ankle and make a whimpering sound.

She said: “We had just given my sister a Polaroid camera for her birthday and she wanted to take a photo on the metal grate in the park as it was lit up as it was after dark. I suddenly heard my sister whimper and looked around and she was passed out on the floor and her foot was in the grate.

“At first I thought she might have broken her foot, but she wasn’t making a sound and she would have been screaming in agony if she had broken something. I touched her and felt a tingling in my hand and I shouted out that she was being electrocuted.”

Realising the danger, Snezana’s boyfriend Vladlens Mazalevskis bravely leapt into action, grabbing Anastazija and pulling her to safety. Doctors said his quick-thinking saved her life.

Snezana added: “We didn’t even think about getting shocked ourselves, which we all were, we just wanted to save my sister’s life. We pulled her out and she had stopped breathing. It was terrifying. My boyfriend did CPR on her while I called an ambulance and tried to find it in the park. My sister is my best friend and I was running around in a panic not knowing if she was alive or dead.”

Police and paramedics were on the scene quickly and managed to restart Anastasija’s heart before taking her to hospital where she spent three weeks in intensive care. As well as the brain injury she also suffered nerve damage in her foot.

Snezana is acting as her sister’s litigation friend

Snezana, who is acting as her sister’s litigation friend as she does not have capacity to conduct her case herself, added: “My sister is still suffering memory loss and doesn’t remember anything from May to July this year. Sometimes she doesn’t remember yesterday and sometimes she can’t recall what happened in the morning. It is deeply affecting her life. She also can’t bend her foot properly which makes her really upset as she can’t walk properly.”

The Health and Safety Executive investigated the incident but no criminal charges were brought.

Snezana said: “I was really unhappy about that as somebody needs to be held responsible for what happened to my sister. She was in a popular park in central London and this should never have been allowed to happen.”

Magdalena Knez, a specialist personal injury lawyer from Osbornes Law, who represents Anastasija, said “My client was enjoying a holiday visiting her sister when her life was changed forever. Doctors said she was lucky to have survived the electric shock and her family are understandably angry that this was allowed to happen. I would urge the Royal Parks to admit liability in this matter as soon as possible so that my client can move on and start to rebuild her life.”

How can we help?

If you’ve been injured in an accident and need expert legal assistance, Osbornes Law is here to help. Our team of experienced solicitors will work hard to secure the compensation and support you deserve. Contact us today by:

• Filling in our online enquiry form; or
• Calling us on 020 7485 8811.