Interesting new statistics were revealed recently that show how local authorities across the UK are being forced to make ‘slips, trips and falls compensation‘ payments to hundreds of people following injuries from uneven pavements.

The figures make grim reading, with an average spend of £83,000 for each authority given to each claimant that had an accident in the years 2004-2009. Across the UK, the figure then amounts to around a staggering £100million.

These figures are perhaps unsurprising given recent economic events – the recession, redundancies, unemployment and now public sector staff cuts.

More people than ever before in recent years are living hand to mouth and whereas they may have simply tripped or even fallen but brushed themselves off and carried on without another thought at one time, they are now less willing to pass this off as a common accident and, particularly if they have been injured in some way, are now keen to penalise local authorities for their negligence.

Uneven paving stones and walkways have been present for many years now, so isn’t it time, rather than bearing the brunt of these phenomenal costs of compensation, that local authorities actually do something about it?

Surely the price of monitoring and maintaining safe places to walk (particularly main pedestrianised areas and around principal shopping areas) is considerably less than the millions paid out each year in compensation?

Until local authorities realise that they must address this problem proactively, we will continue to accept and process the dozens of related claims which we receive on a daily basis. Surely the elderly and the infirm have a right to walk around without fear of stepping on a wobbling paving stone, slipping on rubbish left lying around or tipping over the lip of an uneven curb stone?

Uneven pavements form a considerable percentage of the claims Bott & Co receives each day, yet these claims appear to be increasing, not decreasing.

If you have suffered any sort of injury by tripping or falling on an insecure pavement, do give us a call on 0800 083 0110 or make a claim now. If you’re not sure, call us anyway and we’ll be able to advise you.

Don’t let your local authority continue to ignore the problem.