International DJ Chloe Caillet has won £90,000 in compensation and costs after being struck by a falling piece of brickwork outside a cafe in North Kensington, London, in June 2018. The incident occurred as she was checking her phone, which likely prevented a more serious injury to her head, according to court proceedings.
Accident Details and Injuries
The 33-year-old electronic music star was hit by a falling brick cornice while standing outside the Kipferl Cafe on Golborne Road. The brickwork narrowly missed her head because she was leaning forward looking at her phone. Ms Caillet suffered injuries to her neck, shoulder, and foot during what she described as a "frightening event." She subsequently sued the building owners, O'Hare Holdings Ltd, for nearly £100,000 in compensation.
Legal Proceedings and Allegations
At Mayor's and City County Court, Recorder Karl King cleared Ms Caillet of dishonesty after lawyers for O'Hare Holdings accused her of "fundamental dishonesty." The defence argued that Ms Caillet had returned to work as a DJ soon after the accident, performing internationally at numerous high-profile venues during the six months for which she claimed loss of earnings. Evidence included her attendance at the Burning Man Festival in Nevada, a Burberry event in October, and the opening night of an Andy Warhol exhibition in November, among others.
Ms Caillet denied the allegations, stating that her initial claim of being unable to work for six months stemmed from a "misunderstanding" of the word "perform." She explained that she believed the question referred to front-facing DJ sets, not promotional appearances involving pre-recorded playlists or photo opportunities. Her appearance at Burning Man was unpaid, and she attended with a pre-purchased ticket.
Court Ruling and Compensation
Recorder King ruled that while Ms Caillet had incorrectly stated she did not work for six months post-accident, he did not find her dishonest. He concluded that she genuinely suffered orthopaedic injuries from the accident and some exacerbation during at least six months, but was not satisfied that the injuries prevented her from working for the entire period. He determined she returned to work after approximately three months.
The judge awarded Ms Caillet approximately £14,000 in compensation for her injuries, therapy, and medication costs, but refused her claim for over £60,000 in lost earnings. O'Hare Holdings was ordered to pay £75,000 towards her legal fees, pending a full assessment.
Background of the DJ
Ms Caillet, a DJ, producer, and multi-instrumentalist, has performed at renowned clubs worldwide, soundtracked catwalk shows, and released her own music. Born in Paris, she has lived in New York, Bristol, and Ibiza, and was residing in Kensal Rise, north-west London, at the time of the accident.
