A secondary school teacher who was hit by a falling branch is suing the Environmental Agency for up to £300,000. Ms Doreen Prior, sustained a blow to the head from the branch, which came from a diseased ash tree in April 2007. The incident occurred on a public footpath at Barcombe Mills in East Sussex and among the symptoms suffered by Ms Prior she lists tiredness, a cut to the head, an impaired memory and states that she now has trouble multi-tasking and has been unable to resume her job as a teacher.
Ms Prior’s solicitor has alleged that the Environmental Agency has a responsibility to protect public health and safety and that they should have put a proper system of inspection in place, and that had they operated one then the poor condition of the branch would have been identified and that this incident would never have occurred.
The solicitors are alleging that an inspection of the tree once every two years would have been sufficient, and it does not seem as though this would have placed an overly onerous burden of responsibility on the Environmental Agency. This is therefore a clear allegation of negligence on the part of the environmental agency. Such a large compensation package would be sought in an attempt to restore some of the quality of life that Ms Prior has lost, with her family having to support her both emotionally and financially. The Environmental Agency have denied any liability for the claim.