Sunshine Coast woman sues Bunnings for $1.4MILLION after falling from a $99 hammock 

A woman who suffered brain damage after falling from a $99 Bunnings hammock is suing the retail giant for $1.4million.

Sunshine Coast barista Julie Kilsby, 49, claims she hit her head against a brick window sill after being flipped from the Two Trees Hammock in January 2020.

In a claim lodged with the Brisbane Supreme Court, Ms Kilsby said the hardware store hammock flipped because it was too tightly stretched and ‘did not have sufficient give’.

Ms Kilsby said she closely followed the assembly instructions but the hammock flipped as soon as she tried to use the product.

The 49-year-old said she closely followed the assembly instructions but was ‘flipped’ against a window sill when she tried to use the product. Pictured: A Two Trees Hammock sold by Bunnings

‘The sling and ropes of the hammock were… tightly stretched and did not have sufficient give,’ a statement of claim obtained by Daily Mail Australia said.  

She also claimed the hammock’s instruction book didn’t tell users how to stretch the material so it sagged more safely.

Her claim says her accident has left her suffering from seizures, memory impairment, anxiety and depression.

Ms Kilsby, who bought the hammock from the store’s Maroochydore outlet, is suing for $300,000 in past and future lost earnings and $18,000 for future care.

She is also claiming $785,000 for what she will have have pay to a National Disability Insurance Scheme catering for her ongoing care.

She said she had suffered significant financial loss after falling from the hammock, and had only recently found out the N would pay for some of her care.

‘At the end of the day, I can’t buy a new brain – however, I need to find a way to survive and live my life to the best of my ability,’ she said. 

Ms Kilsby standing next to the window sill she hit after allegedly being ‘flipped’ by the hammock

Pictured: File image of a Bunnings store. Ms Kilsby said she closely followed the hammock’s assembly instructions but was flipped as soon as she tried to use the product

A Bunnings spokesman declined to comment on the case.

‘The safety of our customers, team and suppliers is our number one priority, and we work with our suppliers to ensure that our products are safe, compliant and fit for purpose,’ Bunnings director of merchandise Jen Tucker said.

‘We understand that this matter is before the court, and it would not be appropriate for us to make any further comments while the proceedings are underway.’