Footpath fall results in man being awarded compensation

Posted 24/12/2010

A double amputee who lost some of his mobility after falling on a defective footpath has been awarded personal injury compensation.

Colin Adamson had part of both his legs removed after a road accident in 1991 and then had a muscle transfer operation on his elbow in 1996 to allow him to walk again.

However, in March 2007 while visiting a friend in Bangor, Mr Adamson fell over a cracked step on a housing estate and badly damaged the elbow.

He had to have more surgery to insert plates and screws and now has reduced mobility once more, BBC News reports.

After taking legal action against the Department of Regional Development in Northern Ireland, the victim was awarded £35,000 in compensation.

“The evidence indicates that the foreseeable danger from cracked flags was not one which was taken into account,” commented Lord Chief Justice Sir Declan Morgan.

Neither party commented on the legal action.

Anyone who injures themselves in a fall on a defective footpath may be able to claim personal injury compensation if they can prove it had not been recently checked and should seek the advice of a solicitor.