Devon councils payout £2.5m to personal injury claimants

Posted: October 2, 2014

Posted in: Neck Injuries Pedestrian Injuries Personal Injury Pothole Injuries Public Place Accidents Spine & Back Injuries 

Figures have revealed that two Devon councils have paid out around £2.5m to personal injury claimants in the last four years alone. The incidents included people tripping on pavements to people falling into a harbour. One of the councils, Plymouth City Council, paid out the majority at £2.1m, while Torbay Council paid out £400,000 to claimants. Both figures were disclosed following a Freedom of Information request.

The highest payout made was by Plymouth Council in 2010: £105,000 to a claimant who suffered a severe back injury after tripping due to a “footway surface defect”. Plymouth Council paid out £638,000 to 79 claimants in 2011, and £301,000 to 68 claimants in 2012. In Torbay Council, payouts went from £83,000 in 2010 for 21 claims, to £118,000 in 2011 for 15 claims.

Responsible for keeping the public safe

One of Torbay Council’s highest payouts was for a person that had fallen into the harbour in Torbay in 2011. They seriously injured their neck and back and received £37,000 in compensation.

One solicitor, James Browne, said that even though councils are responsible for keeping the public safe, he did add: “If a local authority has behaved reasonably and can show it then the injured person will not get a payout.”

Cornwall Council paid out around £800,000, and Dorset County Council paid out £133,000 between 2010 and 2013.

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

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