Pothole victim compensation rejected
Posted: May 9, 2014
Posted in: Bicycle Accidents Head and Brain Injuries Pothole Injuries Shoulder Injuries
A compensation claim made by the family of a 15-year-old boy who was badly injured in a cycling accident has been rejected. Ollie Pike from Malmesbury, Wiltshire, had been taking part in a charity bike ride in Gloucestershire when his bike hit a pothole, propelling him from his bike. He was badly injured in the accident, having hit his head and broken his collarbone. Gloucestershire County Council, however, is refusing to recognise the claim as one that requires compensation.
Gloucestershire County Council told Ollie’s family that its highway team were identifying and fixing potholes when the accident happened. Over the past twelve months, they had supposedly fixed nearly 50,000 around the county. A spokesperson said that the roads are expected very frequently for potholes, almost every month, and that unsafe ones (more than 40mm deep) are fixed within 24 hours. However, if they meet national safety requirements, UK guidelines ensure that these potholes are fixed within 28 days.
“Very traumatic”
Two months following Ollie’s crash, however, the pothole that caused the accident remains untouched. Mrs Pike expressed her anger about how her son’s case had been handled, arguing that the pothole (38mm) was just as unsafe as one that demanded fixing within 24 hours. She added:
“Ollie sustained some very serious injuries as a result that have been very traumatic for us as a family to deal with.”
If you have sustained an injury in a public place, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us.
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