Bennett Griffin Blog

Pavement tripping – another success against the local council

Bennett Griffin LLP has just settled another pavement tripping case against the local highways authority.

Bennett Griffin LLP’s resident tripping expert, David Hawkins, commented “My client tripped on an appalling patch of pavement near to his home and suffered a horrible facial injury.  The pavement surface had been badly broken up by tree roots, but it seemed obvious that no repairs had been done for years and the area had just been left by the council and was clearly a danger to local residents.  After his accident my client contacted Bennett Griffin LLP for advice and I assisted him with bringing a claim against the local council.  The Council attempted to avoid responsibility even in the face of compelling photographic and witness evidence as to the prolonged poor state of the pavement, and it was necessary to issue court proceedings.  Thankfully, unlike a similar case that concluded last year at a court trial, the council saw sense and offered to settle my client’s claim soon after proceedings were issued.  My client was delighted that justice was eventually served.  Also the council finally repaired the pavement”.

This case is the latest in a long line of successes for Bennett Griffin LLP in pavement tripping cases against local councils, including the success at trial last year mentioned above.  Such cases are very difficult to win and usually meet with stiff resistance from the local council concerned.  Many law firms refuse to deal with tripping claims and we know of several local firms who automatically refer any such enquiries to Bennett Griffin LLP.

David comments further “not every pavement trip gives rise to a personal injury claim, but they frequently do and if that is the case then you need a lawyer with the knowledge to provide the correct advice and the right experience and, above all, tenacity to pursue the claim if it is going to be successful.  Local knowledge is important too, so I would recommend seeking advice from a local lawyer rather than someone advertising on the TV.  Also, if you have had a tripping accident I would not recommend trying to deal with a local council yourself.  I have seen too often how councils try to bamboozle people who are unrepresented.  It is not a level playing field as specialist knowledge is required”.

If you have suffered injury in a tripping accident and want advice as to your rights and advice as to whether bringing a personal injury claim is viable and in your interests, please contact David Hawkins at Bennett Griffin LLP.

David can be contacted on 01903 229929 or at dh@bennett-griffin.co.uk

A new addition to personal injury at Bennett Griffin LLP

Bennett Griffin LLP is pleased to confirm the appointment of Amy Kenward as a solicitor in the personal injury department following the completion of her training contract with the firm.

Toby Barrett, the head of the personal injury department, said “We are delighted to have been able to offer Amy a position in the department.  During her training Amy has demonstrated a rare commitment and determination towards achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients and has shown a real empathy to the needs of accident victims.  All at the firm wish her a successful career at Bennett Griffin LLP and the appointment shows that personal injury at Bennett Griffin LLP is going from strength to strength”.

Amy said “I reveled in my training with the personal injury department and felt like I had discovered my vocation.  I am looking forward to developing my legal skills and experience for the benefit of our clients and contributing even more to the service Bennett Griffin LLP offers to the local community”.

Argos sofas – Bennett Griffin LLP’s first settlement

Bennett Griffin LLP’s personal injury department has recently settled a claim for a client who suffered injury after coming into contact with a sofa bought from Argos.

David Hawkins says “my client suffered an allergic reaction and burns to his skin after sitting on his new sofa bought from Argos.  Upon investigation it was discovered that the cause of the reaction was a fungicide used by the foreign manufacturers to treat the sofas.  Fortunately my client was not badly injured and the effects have not been permanent, but others have not been so lucky.  My client’s claim is one of thousands up and down the country involving sofas bought from Argos and the now defunct Land of Leather.  There is a group action in process, but it is open to new claims.  If anyone has suffered injury after coming into contact with sofas or armchairs bought from Argos, Land of Leather or anywhere else in the last 3-4 years, I would urge that they get in touch with me as soon as possible”.

Please contact David Hawkins at Bennett Griffin LLP on 01903 229929 or at dh@bennett-griffin.co.uk