If you have fallen down a manhole or stepped on a manhole cover that was defective, sustaining injury, then you may be able to make a claim for compensation. Some people tend to walk around manhole covers for no apparent reason. Considering the number of claims we deal with involving manhole covers, this is probably not a bad idea. However at some time or other we have all walked over manhole covers. We expect the cover to be safe as it forms part of the pavement.
The companies responsible for the manhole cover are under a duty to ensure that the cover is safe. There is a duty to ensure that passers-by are not injured due to a defect or missing manhole cover. It is often the water board, electricity board or local council who is responsible. To ensure that the cover is safe and remains safe, a system of inspection should be in place. This means that the manhole cover should be inspected regularly and if necessary, repaired or replaced. As soon as a defect is found it should be repaired as soon as possible. Obviously if a defect is found and it cannot be rectified immediately, there should be some warning of the hazard. We would expect the manhole cover or manhole itself to be cordoned off.
If manhole covers do not lie flush with the ground, they may pose a tripping hazard. There are many potential accidents involving manhole covers. If you fall down a manhole and sustain injury or become injured due to a defective manhole, you may have a genuine claim for compensation.
Here at The Injury Lawyers we can assess for free whether you have a claim. In this type of claim where we are alleging a defect with a manhole cover or a missing manhole cover, it is always prudent to obtain photographic evidence of the defect in question. We have seen some quite nasty injuries where people have tripped over a manhole cover, or got their leg caught in an uncovered manhole etc.
We are a team of specialist personal injury lawyers who will strive to bring your claim to a swift and successful conclusion. We can also arrange treatment for you such as physiotherapy, scans etc. We can, in most cases, get this treatment for you on a private basis and you will not have to pay a penny.
To discuss a potential personal injury claim please contact The Injury Lawyers today on 0800 634 75 75.
