GRANNY V GOLIATH

EXCLUSIVE: 70yo wants $550k from telco giant for footpath fiasco

A GOLD Coast grandmother is suing a telco giant for half a million dollars after the cover of a telecommunications pit collapsed while she was walking on the footpath near her home.

Mary-Lynne Dale says she fractured a rib and a tore a tendon in her buttocks on Bayview St, Hollywell.

She claims the lid gave way after stepping on it, sending her tumbling to the ground.

The 70-year-old wants $558,000 in damages from Telstra.

Telstra declined to comment.

A GOLD Coast grandmother says she was left with a fractured rib and a torn tendon in her buttocks after the cover of a telecommunications pit collapsed beneath her.

Mary-Lynne Dale is suing Telstra for more than $558,000 for the injuries sustained after she fell while walking on the footpath in Bayview St, Hollywell, on March 1 last year.

Court documents lodged by Ms Dale, 70, allege she was on the footpath when the lid collapsed, sending her tumbling on to her right side.

She claims she has spent the past year recovering from her injuries and in the care of her husband.

The documents claim Telstra should have maintained the pit, especially the bitumen around the lid.

“(Telstra) should have known it was not maintained and the pit lid could tip given construction and the boundaries were not maintained,” the documents read. “Persons on the footpath should have been warned.”

Ms Dale declined to comment yesterday.

Despite the fall occurring more than 20 months ago, Ms Dale’s claim says she still suffers from pain resulting from the injury.

It is understood her husband, Nigel, has spent more than 1000 hours caring for Ms Dale, including help with small, everyday tasks.

In total Ms Dale is claiming $558,650.50 in damages. It includes $78,144.80 for the time Mr Dale spent caring for his wife. The claim also makes allowances for Ms Dale to receive care for 19 years.

A Telstra spokesman declined to comment.

“As the matter is listed before the court is it not appropriate for us to comment,” he said.

Telstra is yet to lodge a response to the claims made in the Southport District Court.