Pavement Injury Claim Glasgow
If those responsible do not maintain public places like streets or pavements, such as a local council, it can become a hazard to the public. Broken slabs and potholes can cause falls. Trips can be caused by an uneven walking surface where some slabs are raised much higher than the others. A member of the public could slip and be injured if mud, leaves and debris are allowed to build up on a street. A pavement injury could seem innocuous, but slipping, tripping or falling awkwardly could have serious ramifications to your health and mobility.
What are the types of body damage sustained by a pavement injury?
In most of these cases, a fall in the street will result in cuts, grazes and bruises. However, there is the potential for much more severe injuries such as broken bones, hip injuries and even head injuries. While some people may recover quickly, some injuries have painful and long lasting consequences. An injury may require corrective surgery and may cause a great deal of pain. Some injuries have a long convalescent period and may lead to a patient missing a lot of work or even being unable to return to their original job.
What are common causes of a pavement injury?
Sometimes a person walking on the street can be injured by “something“, such as a tile, falling from a structurally unsound private property such as a house, shop or company building. If someone is injured due to the building owner’s negligence, they may be able to claim compensation from the building owner.
In Scotland, the maintenance of streets and pavements is normally the responsibility of the local council who have a legal duty of care. They must ensure that roads and pavements are safe for public use. If a council fails to attend to a blatant hazard to the public, they may be found liable for any injuries caused.
What Action Should I Take if I am Injured on a Pavement?
To make a successful personal injury claim, you need to prove that the injury you received was due to the negligence of the local council, company or building owner. Sometimes people will trip or fall by accident, and no one will be at fault. In this situation, you would not be able to make a claim.
The procedure will vary from council to council but in all cases, you should report the injury to the local authority who will record it in their accident report records. You should provide as many details as possible, such as the exact location and time of the incident, and take note of the full name and address of any witnesses. Photographs of the broken footpath or unsafe pavement could help your claim.
You should seek immediate medical attention for any injury received. This allows a full account of your injuries to be added to your medical records.
The incident will typically be assessed by the local council legal team. If they judge the council to be responsible, they can make a compensation offer. If you feel that this offer is unsatisfactory, you may wish to raise a personal injury claim in the courts. Contact our expert personal injury team to discuss your case and find out how much you might be able to claim for your injury. With the help of an experienced solicitor, the claim can sometimes be settled between the parties, removing the need for court.
It is important to remember that claims must be made within three years of the injury so take action soon if you think you might have a claim.
How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Pavement Trip?
The amount of compensation you can claim for a pavement injury will vary widely and will depend upon the precise circumstances of your case, including: the severity of your injury, the length of time taken to recover and any surgery required. A serious accident involving a head or back injury can have far-reaching consequences. There may be chronic pain and difficulties returning to work. In some cases, it may be impossible to go back to the work done before the injury. Such a serious injury can have mental health consequences such as a loss of confidence and depression. All of these factors, and many more, would be taken into consideration when the compensation award is made.
You can read about compensation award guidelines for head injuries, back injuries and leg injuries.
Pavement Injury Compensation Claims Glasgow
Contact our specialist personal injury experts today to discuss our situation and find out how much we may be able to help you claim for your injury. We operate on a no win no fee* basis that allows you to seek the compensation you deserve without having to worry about incurring high legal fees. Call us on 01418 465 957. You can also make an online enquiry by completing our claim form.
