£3,100 Compensation for Pothole Fall

A shopper who tripped over a pothole in the pavement has won £3,100 in compensation.

Terence Wakefield, 78, was walking through a local market in June last year when he tripped over the pothole. He reached out with his hands to try to break his fall and fractured his wrist.

His wrist was in plaster for six weeks while it healed, and he also had to have physiotherapy. For months after his injury, he could not ride his bicycle and was unable to carry out normal everyday activities.

Mr Wakefield brought a claim against Basildon Council, which is responsible for the section of the pavement where the accident happened. The Council admitted liability for Mr Wakefield’s injuries and agreed to pay him damages of £3,100.

Despite the presence of up to 20 potholes, the pavement at the market had still not been repaired a year after Mr Wakefield’s accident. Other accidents have since occurred on the same stretch of pavement and it is thought that three other personal injury claims relating to it are in progress against the Council.