Wednesday 19 November 2003 - News - Health and safety
Baby swallows hook allegedly left by workmen
A young mother was threatening
to sue today after her baby daughter swallowed a screw hook, allegedly
left in her home by workmen.
Ten-month-old Laura Bolderson was rushed to hospital with the inch-long hook lodged in her throat and her parents fearing she would choke to death. Natalie Bolderson, 21, of Glyncoch, south Wales, claimed workmen who fitted her council home with a new double-glazed door were responsible.
"Laura is lucky to be alive I really thought she was going to die when she began to change colour and choke,'' said Mrs Bolderson today. "I called an ambulance and she was rushed to hospital and X-rayed and it was found that the hook had reached her stomach.''
Mrs Bolderson and her husband Julian, 37, then had an anxious three-day wait before the hook re-emerged naturally.
Mrs Bolderson said: "I have since seen a solicitor. I believe that the workmen were negligent and intend pursuing this legally."
The incident happened after contractors working for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council replaced a wooden front door at Mrs Bolderson's home last week. Mrs Bolderson claimed that they removed metal curtain hooks attached to the old wooden front door but left them on the floor without telling her.
A spokesman for the council's community housing division said it was "urgently investigating" the complaint.
Johnny Thomson
Ten-month-old Laura Bolderson was rushed to hospital with the inch-long hook lodged in her throat and her parents fearing she would choke to death. Natalie Bolderson, 21, of Glyncoch, south Wales, claimed workmen who fitted her council home with a new double-glazed door were responsible.
"Laura is lucky to be alive I really thought she was going to die when she began to change colour and choke,'' said Mrs Bolderson today. "I called an ambulance and she was rushed to hospital and X-rayed and it was found that the hook had reached her stomach.''
Mrs Bolderson and her husband Julian, 37, then had an anxious three-day wait before the hook re-emerged naturally.
Mrs Bolderson said: "I have since seen a solicitor. I believe that the workmen were negligent and intend pursuing this legally."
The incident happened after contractors working for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council replaced a wooden front door at Mrs Bolderson's home last week. Mrs Bolderson claimed that they removed metal curtain hooks attached to the old wooden front door but left them on the floor without telling her.
A spokesman for the council's community housing division said it was "urgently investigating" the complaint.
Johnny Thomson
