Personal injury advice from
Thompsons Solicitors
Faulty Drain Cover Causes Personal Injury
9th September 2011
A woman was left with permanent scarring after she suffered a fall on a public pavement because of a defective drain cover. Our specialist personal injury lawyers acted in a compensation claim on her behalf.
Fall on Pavement
Our client was walking along the pavement on a dry, clear day when her tripping accident occurred. She stepped onto the cover of a water drain and it tilted as she did so, as it was not in a safe condition. Her foot therefore dropped down into the hole below and she fell to the ground.
As a result of the accident our client suffered a deep wound to her lower leg. This painful leg injury took over a month to heal, during which time she had to visit her local surgery regularly for treatment and she was unable to attend work. The wound left a noticeable, permanent scar after it healed, which our client is self-conscious about and she is now reluctant to wear clothes that show her lower leg.
Compensation Claim
The injured pedestrian approached our expert lawyers for help with a personal injury claim. Steps should have been taken to ensure the drain cover was well maintained, safe and secure, particularly as it was sited outside shops on a high street where there is likely to be a lot of pedestrian traffic. We contacted the local council and the water company responsible for the drain cover with details of the incident and our client’s injuries and began a claim.
Liability was denied and it was necessary for us to issue court proceedings. Through negotiations with the other side however, we were able to secure £3,500 in damages for our client before the case went to trial. This sum was in respect of the injury she suffered and also the loss of earnings she incurred because of the accident. Additionally, the drain cover was also made safe to prevent further injuries.
Public Liability Claim Advice
If you suffer a personal injury through an accident in a public place, and your accident was caused by the negligence of someone else, you may be in a position to make an injury claim.
At The Legal Line, our lawyers have a wealth of experience in recovering compensation for the victims of avoidable accidents and we can provide you with the best possible accident claim advice on a cost-free, confidential basis. Contact us on 0800 0328511, or by completing a claim enquiry form online.
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