Council faces 'massive' road accident claim

27/03/2009

West Sussex county council may be facing the bill for a massive injury compensation claim after a 53-year-old mother proved it was partially to blame for her accident.

Sarah Russell suffered severe head injuries in a car accident which her injury lawyers say could have been prevented with better road maintenance, the Argus reports.

Her compensation claim was guaranteed by Judge Jeremy McMullen QC, who ruled that West Sussex county council had left a dangerous drop-off of four inches in one section of the A29, presenting a serious hazard to road users.

However, Ms Russell's injury payout from the council will be reduced by 50 per cent after the court decided that she was partly responsible for her accident.

The final settlement has yet to be agreed, but the Argus reports it is likely to be a six or seven-figure sum.

Recently it was revealed by the Lancashire Evening Press that South Ribble council had paid out more than £56,000 in compensation claims to employees since 2004.

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