May 19th, 2009
A man who had to have his leg amputated after he was hit by a motorist is seeking compensation of up to £300,000.
Alpesh Ramji, a former cobbler, was outside his shop in Harrow when a Volkswagen driven by David Pelton mounted the kerb and ploughed into him, the Harrow Observer reports.
The car crushed him against the building and Mr Ramji had to have his leg amputated below the knee.
He claims that he has still not come to terms with his injuries and that he has trouble with his prosthetic limb due to the tissue damage he sustained.
Mr Ramji is seeking damages of £300,000 in order to cover his lost earnings, his health care and the modifications to his car and his home.
Any pedestrian who is injured in an accident that was the fault of a car, bus, lorry or other vehicle may be eligible to claim compensation against the driver’s insurers.
Their case could be particularly strong if they were hit on the pavement or on a crossing, as Mr Ramji was.
Tags: Alpesh, Cobbler, Damages, Earnings, Harrow, Health Care, Kerb, Lorry, Pavement, Pedestrian, Pelton, Prosthetic Limb, Tissue Damage, Volkswagen
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February 12th, 2009
A woman who broke both her wrists after falling on an uneven footpath is seeking compensation from the council she claims is responsible.
Theresa Grafton, 68, was visiting her daughter in Coventry when the accident occurred. She had to spend three weeks in hospital as a result of her injuries, the Coventry Telegraph reports.
She claims that she still struggles with everyday tasks and that had Coventry city council repaired the pavement, the incident would not have happened.
"The council won’t do anything about it. The kerbs and pavements are very damaged and uneven both sides of the road," said her husband Barney.
A spokesperson for the council said the area where Mrs Grafton fell is not designated a trip hazard.
According to the council, employees carry out inspections every six months on all roads and footways in Coventry and works orders are placed for any necessary repairs.
They will also repair any other potholes within 25 metres of the works order.
Tags: Coventry City Council, Everyday Tasks, Footpath, Grafton, Husband Barney, Kerbs, Necessary Repairs, Pavement, Pavements, Pensioner, Potholes, Six Months, Spokesperson, Telegraph, Woman
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December 9th, 2008
A caretaker who suffered an injury to his knee has secured a compensation payout.
David Craner was working at Wyke Regis Primary School in Weymouth when a trolley he was pushing hit an uneven paving slab in 2003.
This caused it to stop suddenly and badly jarred Mr Craner’s knee, the BBC reports.
The injury aggravated an existing arthritic condition and Mr Craner was left unable to work. He subsequently lost his house.
He sued the council responsible for the school, claiming that it breached workplace regulations.
The court has now ruled that the accident occurred because the pavement was not properly maintained and Mr Craner is now to be paid £15,750 in compensation.
Anyone who has been injured due to trip, fall or accident on a public pathway due to a broken paving slab or uneven ground may be entitled to claim compensation.
They should take photos of the defect and should then seek legal advice.
Tags: Arthritic Condition, Bbc, Caretaker, Legal Advice, Pavement, Paving Slab, Photos, Trip Fall, Trolley, Uneven Ground, Weymouth, Workplace Regulations
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October 31st, 2008
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has told operators of vehicles and machinery that they must adhere to safety regulations after a pedestrian was killed in an accident.
Colin Clifford, 50, was driving an excavator outside a house in London in 2007, when he raised the buckets over the pavement.
Joseph Johnston, 81, was walking past when Mr Clifford pulled the wrong lever and the buckets fell onto the footpath, striking Mr Johnston.
He subsequently died from his injuries and Mr Clifford has been prosecuted under health and safety at work regulations.
The HSE ruled that Mr Clifford should not have lifted the bucket on the vehicle and that he should have ordered colleagues to close off the footpath.
HSE investigating inspector Lisa Chappell said: "This case shows the worst case of what can go wrong when operators cut corners."
Pedestrians are one of the most at risk groups from being seriously injured if they are involved in a collision with any vehicle, which is why they must be given right of way.
A compensation claim can be made for injuries if it can be proven that the driver of the vehicle was responsible for the collision.
Tags: Buckets, Colin Clifford, Compensation Claim, Excavator, Footpath, Health And Safety, Health And Safety At Work, Health And Safety Executive, Hse, Joseph Johnston, Lisa Chappell, Machine Operators, Mr Johnston, Pavement, Pedestrian, Pedestrians, Risk Groups, Safety At Work, Safety Regulations, Worst Case
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September 17th, 2008
A cyclist who took his local council to court after suffering an injury while cycling has been awarded compensation.
Stuart Bullen, 60, was riding his bike along a cycle path he had used before, the Lancashire Evening Post reports.
However, he was unaware that the path had been altered the day before and that part of it now veered on to the pavement over a raised kerb.
Mr Bullen’s bike hit the kerb and he suffered a fractured shoulder and wrist as a result, injuries which doctors say will worsen over time.
He took Lancashire county council to court and has now been awarded £11,000 in compensation.
Commenting on the payout, he said: "It was never about the money, it was just about the fact they had altered it and done it incorrectly."
Anyone who has been involved in an accident on a public pavement may be entitled to compensation if it can be proven that there was some form of defect with the pavement and the local authorities can be held responsible.
Tags: Bullen, Cycle Path, Doctors, Kerb, Lancashire County Council, Lancashire Evening Post, Local Authorities, Local Council, Money, Pavement, Wins
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