Personal Injuries Sustained in Tripping Incidents: A Focus on Street Hazards
Posted on 1st August 2024
Walking through town centres should be a pleasant experience, but for many, it can quickly turn into a painful ordeal due to unexpected hazards. One of the most common yet overlooked dangers in our towns is tripping over tree roots. In this blog, Mark Gregory, Director, and solicitor specialising in no win no fee personal injury claims, delve into the specifics of these incidents and how you can seek compensation for injuries sustained.
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Tripping Over Tree Roots: A Common Hazard in Town Centres
Tree roots often disrupt the smooth surface of pavements, creating uneven paths that can easily cause pedestrians to trip and fall. These hazards are particularly problematic in areas with older trees, where roots have had ample time to grow and spread. While trees are a beautiful and essential part of our urban landscape, their roots can pose significant risks if not properly managed.
The Impact of Tripping Incidents
Emergency and elective admitted patient care (admission requiring an overnight hospital stay) provides the most comprehensive information on outdoor falls injuries. There were an average of 30,000 admissions in 2018 and 2019, dropping by almost a third with lockdown restrictions in 2020. Due to the now terrible conditions of our roads and pavements, personal injuries caused by tripping outside, have steadily increased from 2021 to 2024.
Tripping over a tree root can lead to a variety of injuries, ranging from minor bruises to severe fractures and head injuries. Common injuries include:
Sprained Ankles:
The sudden twist can cause ligaments in the ankle to stretch or tear.
Fractures:
Wrists, arms, and legs are particularly vulnerable when trying to break a fall.
Head Injuries:
Falls can result in concussions or more severe head trauma.
Cuts and Bruises:
Scrapes and contusions are often inevitable.
These injuries can have a profound impact on an individual's quality of life, potentially leading to time off work, medical expenses, and ongoing pain and suffering.
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Transparent fees.
Our solicitors offer their services on a clear fixed-fee or hourly rate, and accept personal injury claims on a no win no fee basis.
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Here at MG Legal, our team of friendly solicitors are fully-qualified and have over thirty years' experience in helping clients just like you.
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When you work with MG Legal, your solicitor will be in regular contact so you have step-by-step updates.
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If you are looking to instruct our solicitors, we have offices in Garstang, Longridge, Lancaster, and Lytham for your convenience.
Legal Responsibility and Duty of Care
Falls happen to people of all ages, but older people are disproportionately affected; 30% of people older than 65 and 50% of people older than 80 fall at least once a year. It has been estimated that 10% of people over 65 will experience a pedestrian fall outdoors each year. There are over 10 million people over the age of 65 in England (accounting for 18.5% of the population; 18.6% of the UK population), and annually there could be more than one million outdoor falls among older adults. At a time when keeping physically active is more important than ever – to ‘reduce the risk of illness in both the short and long term, preserve memory and cognitive ability and reduce the risk of falls’ – falls outdoors are an under reported problem.
Section 41 of the Highways Act (1980) places a duty on highways authorities to maintain the highway. Local councils and municipalities have a duty of care to ensure that public walkways are safe for use. This includes regular maintenance and addressing hazards such as protruding tree roots. Failure to do so can make them liable for any injuries sustained.
Proving Negligence
To successfully claim compensation for a tripping injury, it is crucial to prove that the responsible party was negligent. This involves demonstrating that:
The hazard existed:
Clear evidence of the tree root and its impact on the pavement must be shown.
The authority knew or should have known about the hazard:
This can be established through records of complaints or maintenance schedules.
The hazard was not addressed in a reasonable time frame:
A lack of prompt action to rectify the problem indicates negligence.
Seeking Compensation with MG LEGAL
At MG Legal, our team of experienced personal injury solicitors in Lytham specialise in no win no fee claims. Our personal injury solicitors have settled thousands of injury cases caused by trips, slips and falls, since we opened our doors in 2021, and are committed to helping you secure the compensation you deserve.
How We Can Help
Free Initial Consultation:
We offer a no-obligation consultation to discuss your case and advise on the best course of action.
Comprehensive Case Management:
From gathering evidence to negotiating with the responsible parties, we handle every aspect of your claim.
No Win No Fee Guarantee:
You won’t pay any legal fees unless we win your case, ensuring you can pursue justice without financial risk. If your case is successful, we would deduct a fee that is no more than 20% of the compensation you are awarded.
Conclusion: Don’t Suffer in Silence
Tripping over tree roots in our towns and town centres is a preventable issue that can cause serious injuries. If you’ve been affected, it’s important to know that you have the right to seek compensation. Contact MG LEGAL, no win no fee personal injury solicitors in Lytham, today to discuss your case and take the first step towards getting the justice you deserve.
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Tagged as: Accident Injury Solicitors, No Win No Fee Solicitors
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