My Mum broke her ankle due to a pothole in a public place. What's the best way to get compensation?
Please note: This is applicable to UK law only, since it happen in the UK! It was after leaving the shop and she twisted her foot contained by the road. She's now broken it in two places and needs metal plates within her ankle. Since there was a hole in the road, I'd ponder the council is liable. It might be worth mentioning she has osteoporosis and is only 52. Thing is, I need to know what sort of decriminalized advice is best. Are these no claim no fee solicitors any good and if so, which one? Has she a obedient case here? Thanks for any help!
Best Answer:
the easy way out is to quit trying to trademark an easy buck and have your mother take responsibility for not looking where on earth shes going. Pay for your own doctor that's whats the matter with this country, everybody trying to find a way to burn you. newly ask them top fix the pot hole so it doesn't happen to anyone else and move on
Ask the Citizens Advice. They are free and will know whether you own grounding for a claim. Your local one will be in your phone book.
I used to work for the Local Council Highways Department and used to operation with these complaints. Firstly you need to ring your local council and report the accident to them. I would advocate that you also take photographs of the pothole as well. Highways will probably ask you to write in to them next to details of the accident and any other supporting evidence that you have. Send a COPY of the photographs (keep a copy for yourself) as well. They will probably ask for medical reports to support your shield so you will have to obtain a doctor's report (either hospital or GP). They will then investigate further and tolerate you know in due course what their decision is. If they decide that they are not answerable to your mum's twist of fate it may be at that point that you should seek legal advice. My direction would be to head to your nearest CAB office as they will be able to pass you sound advice in the first instance. Do not turn to one of those injury compensation companies as they do not always act in the best interests of the injured deputation and only think about their charge or percentage of any compensation won. From past experience the Council's very rarely foot out on claims against them so you need to put a good case together. I hope this have helped you a little and I wish your mum a really speedy recovery.
You would have to prove the council be negligible. It is not (legally) reasonable to expect a council to be responsible for every inch of road in its region. So you would enjoy to prove that the council knew about the pot hole and chose to ignore the problem...or did not be paid a repair of a reasonable standard. You could threaten them with legal achievement any they may settle...although councils are fighting there case more and more at the present time. In my personal opinion...your mum needs plates because she has osteoporosis, not because the council be negligent. Speak to a solicitor for more advice. The first meeting is usually free
See a lawyer. catch photo's of the place use a match box a coin or a ruler to give idea of the size of the pot hole indeed anything of a certain size to act as an indicator of size. I refer to UK but you will get nowhere on your own
take advice from a solicitor straight away, the no win no allowance brigade will sort you out no trouble, its quite common to see the council sued for personal injury damages, it cost nothing more than a phone phone call to find out how strong a case is good luck.
I've done hundreds of these cases. Get some good photos of the malfunction and get yourself in front of someone who knows their onions - if it's contained by the South East Bird & Lovibond in Uxbridge or Pinto Potts in Aldershot will steer you in the right direction. You do not call for to prove the council was negligent. You need to prove it be a danger to pedestrians and then the council have to prove they hold a good system of inspection. She may have a decent armour, but it will turn on the records kept by the council. The above answerer who said don't use the scam merchants off the telly is absolutely correct.
I'm a legal representative. But not with the above firms.
you aint gonna get nothing!
pick up the yellow page, and try to find good quality solicitor preferably one that has honest reputation and has existed for along time. You will get a free half hour beside the solicitor and the solicitors will take all the details. Then He/She will take that to partner in the company and they will decide if the case is worth pursuing. You can own a no win no fee agreement with a proper solicitor. BUT DON'T RING ONE OF THOSE COMPANIES OFF THE TV, THEY ARE A SCAM. The law society produces a booklet called "if it sounds to good to be true it probably is" this will explain why. So just ring a proper solicitor.
