Council pays out £120,000 to woman badly hurt in kerbstone fall

A COUNCIL has agreed to pay £120,000 damages after a woman was badly injured falling over a broken kerbstone in Bridlington.

The woman, who asked not to be named, was forced to give up her job as a carer after breaking her shoulder badly.

She has had two major operations, but they have been unsuccessful. However, she hopes a third will ease the pain.

East Riding Council denied responsibility following the accident as she stepped onto a path from the road in March 2014, despite complaints about the state of the road the previous year.

The 59-year-old, who cannot lift her arm above her waist, was left so reliant on her husband that he also had to give up his job.

She said the money would help pay back people they had borrowed money from after they were left on benefits. Ever since the accident she has to sleep in an upright position, because lying down is too painful.

She said: “I have worked as a carer and looked after people for 30 years, but now my husband cares for me. It has been heartbreaking to be out of work and the pain has really got me down at times.”

The state of the road featured in the media in 2013, but the council only carried out repairs after the accident.

Solicitor Katy Nelson, of personal injury lawyers Hudgell Solicitors, said that the damage to the kerb – which had weeds growing out of it – should have been picked up during an inspection by the council.

She said: “It is simply not acceptable for local authorities to let roads and pavements fall into such a state of disrepair that they become a danger.”

The council has been approached for a comment.