The area of uneven pavement that caused Danielle’s trip

Returning from work on a bright May afternoon, Danielle Chapman’s partner dropped her off at her parent’s house.  She had left something in the car and so she returned to it.  As she walked towards the road to go round to the driver’s side of the car, she caught her toe on the raised edge of the pavement and fell heavily onto her left side.

Injuries caused by pavement trip

Danielle was immediately in pain in her foot, knee and left hand side – and in shock. Her partner helped her back into the house where her parents suggested she went straight to hospital as her foot and knee were already red and swelled.  She decided to take pain killers and put a cold compress on her knee and see how things went over the course of the evening.

After a sleepless night, in lots of pain, Danielle visited the hospital the following morning.  X-rays showed there were no broken bones but that there was ligament damage in her knee.  She was given further pain killers and crutches.

As a self-employed hair dresser, Danielle couldn’t afford to take time off work and so had to struggle with the crutches.  She was also unable to help her disabled mother as she usually did and struggled with all her usual tasks for some weeks.

Consultant suggests arthroscopy after trip on pavement

Danielle contacted Graysons to see if we could help get any redress for the accident.  Jonathan took up her case and arranged a medical examination.   A consultant orthopaedic surgeon confirmed the injury and a MRI scan was arranged which led the consultant to suggest that Danielle should undergo an arthroscopy together with a division of the synovical plica and that the operation would have a 70/80% chance of relieving her symptoms.

Jonathan sues as council denies responsibility

Jonathan West

Jonathan contacted Sheffield County Council regarding the accident but it denied responsibility and so Jonathan had to take the case to court, where he was successful and won compensation of just over £5,000, which included an amount to cover the cost of the arthroscopy and Danielle’s recovery from it.

All local authorities have a duty to maintain public footpaths and keep them safe for users.  On this occasion Sheffield County Council failed in its duty and was therefore liable for Danielle’s accident.

If you have tripped or slipped on a public highway or footpath, you may be able to claim compensation.  Find out more on our web pages.