Accident Claims Costing Councils Millions

Councils are spending more money paying out for accident claims, than ever before. Trips and slips caused by uneven paving stones have cost one council more than £2.5 million pounds over the last four years. With the average claim equalling around £1800, this is more than a huge drain on local authority resources. Another city council paid out over five million pounds during an eight year period, and these figures are rising. The amount of compensation paid is the base cost to the council who also incur costs related to legal fees, and employee time.

Some council workers believe that this is a symptom of the compensation culture that has transferred over from America. When people see the kind of money they can be awarded they are more likely to claim. In addition there are fears that the unscrupulous individuals may try and submit fraudulent claims in order to make some cash. With the high number of legal companies offering ‘no-win no fee’ deals, people feel they can take a chance and see what they get.

If someone has an accident while walking on a public pathway they may be entitled to compensation, if it can be proven that the council was at fault.