Bad Weather Leads To Rise In Accidents
Early in 2010 Britain experienced some of the most severe weather conditions it had seen for years. In the worst affected areas this put particular strain on the hospitals, who reported an increase on admittances relating to slips and trips, indicating that people have been attempting to stay safe by avoiding the car and taking to the streets.
In Southern Scotland and areas of the Midlands the staff in A&E depts. have reported a high number of fracture patients relating to slips or falls in the snow and ice, with one Reading hospital reporting a 36% increase in admissions during the worst 24 hour period, forcing them to open extra theatre space to cope with the procedures which needed carrying out.
A number of people who have been injured or know someone who has are angry with the way local councils failed to prepare for the extreme weather, with some threatening legal action. However if you’re thinking of taking them to task, you may want to rethink, as you need more than the fact that you were injured to prove it was the fault of the council.
As one PI solicitor at Chester based Oliver & Co ‘you have to be able to show the council acted unreasonably in failing to grit the pavement’, which is more tricky to prove then you would first think. This is not the case, however, if your accident occurred on some sort of private land such as a car park, and in these scenarios bringing a claim may be more straightforward.
Unlike public highways, private areas such as a supermarket car park may be liable under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, which means they are under a different duty with more focus on making sure areas are “reasonable in all circumstances”, including making sure it is safe for all visitors.
For the time being the weather is much less severe, and hopefully spiring is well on its way. But if we see a freak bout of adverse weather, then my advice is to only make vital journeys, and if you do go out wear shoes with good grip and leave plenty of time to get to where you’re going.
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