A recent Freedom of Information (FOI) request and subsequent report by the AA has revealed the extent of personal injury compensation paid out for claims caused by slip and trip injuries on unsuitable pavements.
The FOI requests went to 421 local authorities in the UK, of which 87% (365) responded. The data shows that in a 12 month period up to the end of May 2018, local authorities and councils in the UK received 10,572 claims for slip and trip relayed injuries from pedestrians. Out of these, only 8% (859) of the claims were successful, resulting in an average compensation award of £2,458 for each claim.
The AA report shows that Hillingdon Council in London paid out over three-quarters (78%) of such claims, with 115 out of 148 claims being successful and resulting in an award of compensation, with the average award being £3,014 per person. The data also shows that Manchester City Council paid out highest average level of compensation across 85 successful claims at an average of £5,464 per claimant.
Listed below is the top five councils for pavement injury compensation awards:
1. Manchester City Council – 389 claims in total, 85 that were successful, resulting in a total of £464,409 in compensation being paid.
2. London Borough of Hillingdon – 148 claims in total,115 that were successful, resulting in £346,596 in compensation being paid.
3. Plymouth City Council – 209 claims in total, 38 that were successful, resulting in £154,559 in compensation being paid.
4. Lancashire County Council – 512 claims in total, 31 that were successful, resulting in £119,535 in compensation being paid.
5. Leeds City Council – 1514 claims in total, 26 that were successful, resulting in £81,011 in compensation being paid.
In sharp contrast, Liverpool City Council successfully contested all 448 claims made against it and did not make any payments or awards of compensation.