Tracey Dickinson
The incident occurred when the 6-year-old boy was playing at the council play area, which featured an oval of wooden stumps. These stumps were approximately 100mm in diameter and protruded about 300-400mm from the ground.
The boy was walking on the stumps. However, the oval was not continuous, and some of the stumps were missing. When the boy reached out to step across one of the missing stumps, he lost his footing and fell, striking his head on the next stump. He sustained a serious cut to his head and a minor head injury, leaving him with a permanent scar.
The boy’s father contacted Graysons and Tracey took on the case.
Tracey contacted the local authority, claiming that it was foreseeable that children would walk on the stumps and that anyone navigating the oval perimeter might fall when encountering missing stumps. She stressed that the condition of the stumps posed a hazard and that proper assessment of the play area would have identified the missing stumps and they would have been replaced.
Liability admitted for injury caused at council play area
The council admitted liability for the accident. Once the medical evidence was finalised, Tracey, who is a seasoned negotiator, was able to agree five-figure damages that exceeded expectations.
As the client was a child, the court had to approve the award and manage the investment. Any damages must be invested in an account accessible to the client only when he reaches the age of 18. The boy’s father opted to invest the funds in an ISA already set up in the boy’s name, and the court approved the decision.
The boy and his father, who was also his litigation friend, were very happy with the outcome.
If you, or a child for whom you are responsible, has suffered an injury that you believe was caused through no fault of your own, you may be entitled to compensation. Contact our personal injury experts, who will discuss your case, free of charge. If we can take on the case, we will offer you a no-win, no-fee arrangement.
Author: Tracey Dickinson
