Jenny suffered a serious accident while walking along the street near her home. This is the story about what happened and how she got help from us.
What Happened?
While walking along a residential street in St Helens, Jenny experienced a traumatic accident when she unknowingly stepped onto a defective manhole cover. The cover gave way beneath her, and her right leg plunged straight through the opening. In a panic, she instinctively braced herself to avoid falling entirely down the exposed hole.
Though she managed to stop her full body weight from dropping, the effort caused significant injury. She suffered deep grazes and cuts to both legs, her knees, and arms. However, the most serious injury occurred when she attempted to break her fall: her right shoulder became dislocated, causing immediate and excruciating pain.
A passerby who witnessed the incident came to her aid and promptly called for an ambulance. Fortunately, this witness had seen the dangerous manhole before—and had even reported it to the local council several months earlier. Shockingly, no action had been taken to repair or warn the public about the hazard. The witness took photos of the scene and shared her contact details with Jenny, encouraging her to seek legal advice.
How Did UK Law Help?
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and related provisions of local authority responsibility, public bodies such as councils are legally required to ensure that public highways and footpaths are safe for pedestrians. When this duty of care is breached—as it clearly was in Jenny’s case—the injured party has a legal right to pursue compensation for the harm suffered.
Thanks to photographic evidence, a reliable witness statement, and confirmation that the hazard had been reported in advance, it was clear that the local authority had failed in its legal obligation. Jenny was advised that she had a strong case for a public liability claim against the council, as they had been aware of the defect and taken no action.
What Their Experience of the Claims Process Was
Jenny reached out to UK Law, where she was connected with a specialist solicitor with experience in handling claims against public bodies. She described the process as professional, straightforward, and stress-free, allowing her to focus on her recovery while her solicitor handled the legal work.
Her solicitor helped gather evidence, corresponded with the council and their insurers, and arranged for an independent medical assessment. This allowed a full understanding of the extent of Jenny’s injuries and the impact on her day-to-day life, including time off work, restricted mobility, and emotional distress.
The Benefits of Using No Win No Fee
For Jenny, one of the biggest advantages of using UK Law was the peace of mind. She did not have to worry about upfront legal costs or the risk of paying fees if her claim failed. Her solicitor worked under a Conditional Fee Agreement, meaning Jenny only paid if her claim succeeded—and even then, the fee was a small, pre-agreed percentage of her compensation.
In the end, Jenny received thousands of pounds in compensation, covering her pain, suffering, and loss of income during her recovery period. She was relieved not only to have financial security during a difficult time, but also to know the council had been held accountable—hopefully preventing a similar accident from happening to someone else.
If you’ve suffered an injury in a public place and believe someone was at fault, we’re here to help. Contact us today for a free consultation. We’ll listen, advise, and act in your best interests—every step of the way.