Compensation for Sheffield Man in Claim Against the Council

Pothole accident leads to claim against council

A Sheffield man has received £3,500 in a compensation claim against the council.

In March 2007, Mr X left his place of work in order to carry out a delivery. As the he arrived back at the office he parked outside and stepped out of the van directly into a pothole in the road, causing his ankle to twist.

Mr X suffered an ankle sprain and had to undergo a course of physiotherapy. He made a good recovery but a medical expert said that he may experience the feeling of his ankle giving way on rough ground.

A letter of claim was sent to the council who are the relevant highway authority responsible for the road. Liability was admitted and the claim was settled in July 2008 by Katrina Elsey of Irwin Mitchell’s specialist Accidents in Public Places team.

She said, "Had an inspection of the location of Mr X’s accident taken place then the accident may have been prevented.

"The council were found to be negligent in this case as they failed to adequately repair and maintain the area thereby leaving the pothole within the road."

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