The adverse weather conditions in Britain this year have been among the worst seen for years, and in the worst affected regions the hospitals have seen an increase in injuries relating to slips trips and falls. People have been leaving the car at home in a bit to stay safe, and taking to the pavements on foot: which have been just as treacherous.
In badly hit areas, such as areas of the Midlands and Sothern Scotland, A&E departments of hospitals were reporting an increase in slip related fractures, relating the slippery conditions. One Reading based hospital were forced to create extra theatre space to carry out a higher number of procedures after on e particularly accident filled day when they sae a 36% increase in patients.
Many people who have suffered injuries on ungritted pavements are frustrated with the way local councils prepared badly for the conditions, with some thinking of taking their grievances down legal channels. However if you’re one of the few considering it, you may want to hold off, as simply the fact that you fell is not enough to place blame with the council and their actions.
As one PI solicitor at Chester based Oliver & Co ‘you have to be able to show the council acted unreasonably in failing to grit the pavement’, which is more tricky to prove then you would first think. This is not the case, however, if your accident occurred on some sort of private land such as a car park, and in these scenarios bringing a claim may be more straightforward.
Privately owned areas, unlike the public highways and byways, are bound to ensure an areas safety is “reasonable in all circumstances” as part of the Occupiers Liability Act 1957.
All seems sunny for now, but should the weather take a turn for the worse again, we suggest only making necessary journeys, keeping your footwear sensible and taking things slowly.
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