Pensioner’s pothole fall claim dismissed by council

Posted: July 24, 2014

Posted in: Arm Injury Pedestrian Injuries Pothole Injuries Public Place Accidents 

The daughter of pensioner and fitness instructor Trixie Offord, Sheryn Ross, has warned people of Bucks County Council’s pothole policy after her mother suffered serious injuries and received no compensation. Mrs Offord was hospitalised after tripping on a pothole while walking back to her home in Hampden Road, Chalfont St Peter. She was treated for a broken wrist and several injuries to her face and nose.

Sheryn Ross assisted her mother in claiming for compensation but was told by a solicitor that the council had checked the pothole two weeks prior to her incident and had deemed it safe. A pothole has to be more than 40mm deep and 300mm wide with jagged edges to be classed as a ‘category one’ pothole, which is immediately fixed. Mrs Ross, however, argues that this is not good enough.

More or less saying ‘You silly old fool’

Mrs Ross said: “It is not about compensation, it is about confidence, particularly with elderly people. Having a fall like that knocks confidence and when you have them reject your claim they are more or less saying ‘you silly old fool’.”

Mrs Offord has continued to take fitness classes for elderly women at the Chalfont St Peter Community Centre but will suffer with pain in her wrist for the rest of her life.

The road on which Mrs Offord sustained her injuries has been resurfaced since her accident. A council spokesman apologised for her injuries but maintained that compensation would only be provided when they had failed to meet standards.

If you have suffered an injury in a public place, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us. 

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