By Joanne Jeffries. Last Updated 15th October 2021. Welcome to our guide on how to make manhole compensation claims. Commonly referred to as drain cover compensation claims, these types of legal proceedings may be made if you’ve suffered as a result of a manhole incident that occurred due to third-party failings.
When you are walking around in public, going about your busy life, the last thing you expect is to trip or fall because of a faulty drain and manhole cover. These covers are designed to protect the public from the holes in the road and pavement, but if one is broken, faulty or missing, then it could become a serious hazard.
manhole compensation claims
Manhole compensation claims (or drain cover compensation claims) aren’t uncommon, as slips and trips due to a faulty drain or manhole cover can leave you with serious injuries and in severe pain. It is the responsibility of the council or landowner to maintain the pavement, and this includes drain and manhole covers, and so claims against you the local council for personal injury can be processed as they are liable for any injuries sustained due to unmaintained covers.
Drain and manhole cover injury compensation claims can be complicated, and so it is advisable that you advance with any claim with the help and guidance of a legal expert. If you are wondering “how much of a compensation payout could I get for a drain/manhole cover injury?” then this guide should be able to give you some idea of what your claim might be worth.
If you have suffered as the result of an accident over a broken, faulty or missing drain or manhole cover, then contact Accident Claims UK on 0800 073 8801 today, and one of our dedicated team will be able to guide you through your next steps. We will put you in contact with an experienced No Win No Fee solicitor who will be able to represent your manhole compensation claims for you.
Select a section
- A guide to drain and manhole cover accident claims
- Who is the responsible party for the maintenance of pavements, including manhole covers and drains?
- Slips or trips, and falls caused by drains and manhole covers
- Am I eligible to make a compensation claim?
- Making a compensation claim against the council for a manhole cover / drain injury
- Making a compensation claim for an injury caused by a manhole cover / drain on private property
- How to make a compensation claim
- Drain or manhole cover accident compensation calculator – Updated October 2021
- No win no fee drain and manhole cover accident claims
- Why make your manhole compensation claims with Accident Claims UK?
- Contact us today About Manhole Compensation Claims
- Useful links Relatiing To Manhole Compensation Claims
A guide to drain and manhole cover accident claims
If you have sipped or tripped over a broken or missing manhole or drain cover, then you may be awarded a payout by making manhole compensation claims. The local council have a duty to maintain the pavements and roads so that they are safe for the public and any dereliction of that duty can mean that they are liable should you have an accident as a consequence. Slip and fall compensation amounts do vary, and any compensation you may receive will depend on your individual circumstances, but claims against the local council for personal injury are often successful.
Other causes for drain & manhole cover accidents can be workmen leaving manhole covers open or ajar and not putting up proper signage to warn the public. This would make the workmen and their company liable for your accident and so you may be able to pursue a personal injury compensation claim against the company.
This guide will give you all the information you should require to fully understand manhole/drain cover compensation claims and the processes involved, including what you can have in the claim and how the claim will work. Accident Claims UK can help connect you with a specialised solicitor to represent your cause in your personal injury claim for compensation.
Who is the responsible party for the maintenance of pavements, including manhole covers and drains?
There are several responsible parties for maintaining pavements and drain or manhole covers to make sure that they are safe for the public to be around. Should the drain or the manhole be owned by the local water or sewage company, then it is their responsibility to ensure that the cover is properly in place, functioning as it should and is maintained to a safe standard.
It is the responsibility of the local council to ensure that maintenance of the pavements is carried out regularly to ensure that they do not present a trip or fall hazard. This includes ensuring the condition of the pavement surrounding any manhole or drain covers is of a high standard, that there is no loose concrete and that the manhole or drain cover lies flush with the pavement. If you have had an accident as a result of the pavement not being maintained, then the council may be liable for your manhole compensation claims.
Should the manhole or drain cover be situated on a private road, then it becomes the responsibility of the occupier or the owner of that land to ensure that the area is safe and free of hazards.
Slips and trips or falls caused by drains & manhole covers
The majority of accidents involved in manhole compensation claims are usually slips, trips and falls. While these sound like small accidents, slip, trip and fall compensation amounts can vary wildly due to the severity of any injury sustained. Some slips and trips from drain and manhole cover incidents result in minor bruising, bumps and lacerations, and some can be much more serious.
Due to the nature of accidents caused by broken or missing drain and manhole covers, often victims suffer serious and complex issues including fractures, sprains, spinal and head injuries. Incredibly serious accidents can occur with manholes on roads, for example, a cyclist getting their wheel stuck or a missing manhole cover causing a car to skid and crash.
Misplaced, missing or broken drain covers are not limited to the road or pavement, you may also experience an accident with on in a public car park, hospital grounds, shopping centre, supermarket or leisure complex. No matter where your accident took place, if you suffered an injury as a result of a poorly maintained or missing drain or manhole cover, then you might be able to put through a claim for compensation.
Am I eligible to make a compensation claim?
In order to make manhole compensation claims for drain cover injuries, then you have to be able to prove that your injury occurred as the result of someone else’s negligence. For your claim to be successful, you have to be able to prove that the party responsible for the maintenance of the drain or manhole cover(council, landlord or utilities company) neglected their duty to safely maintain standards and you suffered an accident as a result.
If your accident occurred due to their being a defect with the drain or manhole cover and this defect caused you to slip, trip or fall, then you have to show that the defect is at least 1 inch deep. Any less than that and your claim is unlikely to proceed as 1 inch is generally considered the minimum measurement for personal injury claims.
There is also a time limit which applies to any personal injury claim. You have three years from the day of your accident, or the date your injury developed, in order to make a claim. Should you be outside of this time frame, it is unlikely that your case will be heard. If the victim of the accident is a child, then you can claim for them, but the three-year time period does not start until the child’s 18thbirthday.
Making a compensation claim towards the council for a manhole cover or drain injury
Under Section 58 of the Highways Act (1980), local councils have a legal responsibility to ensure that public roads and pavements are maintained to a safe standard, and inspections must be carried out regularly. If your local council have neglected this duty and you have suffered a drain and manhole cover accident as a result, then you may be able to file manhole compensation claims against the local council.
In order for claims against the local council for personal injury to be successful, you have to have suffered a physical injury as a result of a drain or manhole cover accident. Suffering psychological or emotional trauma is not enough grounds to sue the council. If you were to have suffered an injury, it is important to get a thorough medical examination as quickly as possible in order to be able to prove your injury. Accident Claims UK can organise medical attention from a local medical professional for you.
Where appropriate, you should get any photographs of your injury as evidence for your claim towards the council. You should also try and get photos of the scene of the incident too so that you can prove the condition and circumstances surrounding your accident. Use rulers or perhaps some other implements of measurement to give scale. If you don’t manage to do this at the time, we will gather evidence on your behalf, but it is possible that any faulty pavement, drain or manhole cover is repaired by the council after your accident.
Making a compensation claim for an injury caused by a manhole cover or drain on private property
If your drain or manhole cover accident happened on private property then the liable party will be those responsible for the maintenance of the property and surrounding land. Your drain cover compensation claims will name either the landowner or the property occupier, depending on the agreement about maintenance they have between themselves.
How to make a compensation claim
Before even thinking about making manhole compensation claims, the first thing you should do when you’ve had a drain cover accident is to report it to the relevant people. If it happened at work, then your accident should be reported to management and logged in the accident book. If you have tripped or fallen over a broken or missing drain or manhole cover while on private property or public land such as a supermarket or leisure centre car park, then you should report the accident to the shop so that they can log it in their accident book.
If you can, take photographs as evidence of where the accident took place so that you have proof of the poorly maintained drain or manhole cover in case is it fixed following your accident. You should also get a thorough medical examination to assess the full extent of your injury. Any emergency treatment you require following your accident won’t usually fully assess your injury and potential future complication, so a full medical exam is advised to support any drain and manhole cover injury compensation claim. You will also need a duplicate of this medical report.
If there were any witnesses to your accident, then you should attempt to take any supporting statements and ask for contact details in case you require further support for your claim.
Accident Claims UK can put you in touch with a specialist solicitor who can help you process your manhole compensation claims. It is always advisable to seek legal advice before any claim begins as they can be complex, and you are much more likely to see a successful claim result with the proper legal help.
Drain or manhole cover accident compensation calculator – updated October 2021
If you are wondering “how much compensation could I possibly claim for a drain cover injury” then the below table should help to give you some kind of idea of the slip and fall compensation amounts that you might be able to expect from a successful claim.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation Brackets | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries with associated financial expenses. | Serious | Up to £1,000,000+ | Serious combinations of injuries that incur financial costs such as medical expenses and care costs along with serious pain and suffering. |
| Paralysis | Quadriplegia | £324,600 to £403,990 | Paralysis of lower and upper body. |
| Paralysis | Paraplegia | £219,070 to £284,260 | Paralysis of lower body. |
| Brain injury | Moderately Severe (b) | £219,070 to £282,010 | A very serious physical or cognitive disability. |
| Brain injury | Moderate (c) (i) | £150,110 to £219,070 | Moderate to severe deficit of intellect, change in personality and an effect on the senses. |
| Neck injury | Severe (a) (i) | In the region of £148,330 | A neck injury with incomplete paraplegia. |
| Neck injury | Moderate (b) (i) | £65,740 to £130,930 | An injury involving a serious fracture or damage to the cervical spine discs. |
| Back injury | Severe (a) (ii) | £74,160 to £88,430 | Features of injuries in this bracket include nerve root damage with, for example, sensation loss, impaired mobility and unsightly scarring. |
| Back injury | Moderate (b) (ii) | £12,510 to £27,760 | Prolapsed discs requiring a laminectomy or causing repeated relapses. |
All manhole compensation claims are assessed on a case by case basis. A court will consider the severity of your injury and the medical prognosis about how that injury is likely to affect you in the future. You may also be able to include any psychological trauma you have suffered as well as the costs of any medical care, specialist equipment and care as well as damages such as loss of earnings for time off work in your claim. This is why you are unlikely to find the exact amount you’re offered in any compensation calculator. There are simply far too many different things to take into account when your compensation award is calculated.
This table serves to show the varying slip and fall compensation amounts and how much they can differ depending on the type and severity of the injury sustained. If you would like a more accurate estimate of how much your own drain and manhole cover injury compensation amount could be, call Accident Claims UK today, and we will put you in touch with one of our team of solicitors who can go through your claiming detail. Please do not use the amounts above as anything more than a guideline, as there will be complexities to your case that will likely be different from the next case, and so on.
What could be included in your drain cover accident compensation?
As we’ve already mentioned, it’s difficult to come up with an exact value of your manhole compensation claims before we know more about your case. This is because your compensation will be made up of two different head of claim, and both of them can change depending on the specifics of your accidents and injuries.
We’ve already seen from the table above how the injuries that you’ve sustained following your accident will be taken into account when your compensation is being calculated. You’ll be invited to a medical assessment where it will be confirmed that your injuries were caused by your accident, and also what the prognosis looks like for your injuries in particular. The part of your claim that covers your injuries is known as special damages, and it will vary based on the severity of your injuries and how likely they’re likely to affect you.
The other head that your claim will consist of is special damages. These damages will reimburse you for any financial loss you’ve experienced as a result of your accident. As already mentioned, this can include medical costs, such as physiotherapy or treatment to reduce scarring. It could also include loss of income and any travel expenses that you’ve had to take on because of your injuries. Nothing can be included in the special damages head of your claim without proof, so it’s really important to keep any receipts, bills or invoices so that your solicitor can include it in your claim.
No win no fee drains and manhole cover accident claims
If you have suffered an injury as the result of a drain and manhole cover being faulty or missing then making manhole compensation claims is one of the best ways to ensure that you get the financial compensation you deserve with no financial risk to yourself.
If you’ve been down on your wages because of the accident, and the time you have had to take off work, then you are hardly going to want to pay out large amounts of money to fund a case, especially if you are not one hundred per cent sure that you will get a compensation award.
As part of a no win no fee agreement, or conditional agreement, you only agree to pay for your legal support if your claim is successful. In the event that your claim is rejected, then you will not need to pay a penny in fees to your solicitor. If your claim is successful, then your solicitor’s fees will usually be either deducted from your pay-out or billed to the opposing side in your case. No win no fee claims help you to get the justice you deserve and financial compensation you are entitled to without risking any financial loss to yourself.
Why make your manhole compensation claims with Accident Claims UK?
Trips, slips and also falls are some of the most common types of accidents that people make manhole compensation claims for. While most injuries sustained from these kinds of accidents are mild, when you add a broken or missing drain or manhole cover into the equation, the consequences can be much worse and can cause injuries that you may not expect to ever encounter.
Injuries sustained from drain and manhole cover accidents can vary from moderate sprains to severe fractures, back and neck injuries and head injuries. Many injuries will have far-reaching consequences and life-altering impacts. In cases such as this, where there has been significant suffering and damages incurred, resulting in time off work and a financial burden being placed on the victim, it is important to get justice and compensation.
Making claims against your local authority/council for personal injury cases or going against utility companies who have neglected their duty of care can be intimidating and is always a challenge. This is why you need a legal expert by your side who has the competence and confidence to fight for compensation on your behalf.
Accident Claims UK has a team of experienced legal experts who can handle all the aspects of your compensation claim, from start to finish, so that you can concentrate on recovering from your injury. Our highly qualified team will start by talking to you about your drain and manhole cover case so that they have all the details before they begin providing you with a solicitor that will help with organising a medical examination and chasing down evidence. We always handle claims on a no win no fee basis, meaning you won’t need to pay us a penny if we lose your case. Therefore, there is no need to worry about further financial strains. Our team will focus on attaining the compensation you are entitled to.
Manhole Compensation Claims FAQ
Could I make a fatal accident claim for a manhole incident at work?
Unfortunately, some people suffer fatal injuries in the course of carrying out their work. In 2020- 2021 alone, according to HSE statistics, 142 people died in work related accidents. You can see the causes of these in the graphic below.
If you have lost a loved one because of a fatal manhole accident, and it was due to the negligence of their employer or with someone else’s fault, you could potentially have a claim for compensation on their behalf. You could receive compensation for their pain and suffering, and also a bereavement award for yourself. You could even claim for funeral expenses, and in some cases lots of financial support for dependants. While we understand that no amount of compensation could ever make up for the loss of someone you love, it could go some way towards helping you face the future on a more stable financial footing. Please do not hesitate to call us about making fatal accident claims. We will be only too happy to help you.
Is it vital for me to use a personal injury solicitor to make manhole accident claims?
If you would like to make a manhole accident claim without a lawyer, you would not be legally prevented from doing so. However, many people prefer to use the services of a personal injury solicitor, so that they know everything is being completed appropriately, and there is a professional negotiating their compensation settlement.
Who is responsible for drain covers?
Typically, your local council or authority is responsible for maintaining manhole or drain covers in public places.
How long do you have to claim compensation?
Personal injury claims have a limitation period of 3 years. However, there are exceptions that apply to this time limit.
Can I make a claim for someone else?
Yes, providing that they can’t claim for themselves, you could make their claim on their behalf. This is called acting as a litigation friend.
Can I make a claim for my child?
Yes, providing they have valid grounds to make a claim but they’re yet to reach their 18th birthday, you could make legal proceedings for them.
Can I claim compensation for a fall?
Please get in touch with our specialist advisors today to see whether you have valid grounds to make a claim. We offer free consultations and legla advice and could even connect you to a solicitor.
How much compensation could I get?
Payouts vary from case to case as they are calculated based on each claimant’s suffering. Please contact us today for a free estimate.
How can I prove my suffering?
This is usually achieved via a medical assessment with an independent expert. As part of your appointment, you’ll be asked about your physical and mental suffering, as well as how your accident has impacted tour overall quality of life, thus evidencing your claim.
How can I contact Accident Claims today?
Please see the next section for some options on how to get in touch.
Contact us today About Manhole Compensation Claims
If you have had an accident and suffered an injury due to a broken, faulty or missing drain or manhole cover or poorly maintained pavement, then call us today to discuss manhole compensation claims.
manhole compensation claims
Call us on 0800 073 8801 24hours a day, 7 days a week, and speak to a member of our dedicated team. You can also email us at office@accidentclaims.co.ukor fill out our enquiry form, and a member of our team will contact you to discuss your claim.
Useful links Relating To Manhole Compensation Claims
Government’s information on claims
The UK Government have produced this page giving information on claims for pavement/manhole issues. Please remember that it is almost always best to have legal advice before you pursue a claim.
For minor injuries, the NHS has put together a handy page for you to find help. On it, it has a facility to search for injury units near you so that if you are walking but injured, you can go and get some assistance.
Claiming compensation against the council
A guide to claiming against the local authority or council for an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Read this article for advice on claiming compensation following a slip, trip or fall.
Find out more about the process of claiming for a leg injury caused by an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Thank you for reading our guide on manhole compensation claims. If you’d like any further information on how to claim drain cover compensation, please get in touch today.
