How Much Compensation For Falling Down A Drain Could You Claim?

Last updated 24th October 2024. People who wish to claim compensation after a broken drain cover accident may ask, ‘How much compensation for falling down a drain could I claim?’ Broken or poorly maintained drain and maintenance covers could give way under the weight of a passerby. This could cause the pedestrian to fall into the area beneath or suffer injuries if one leg falls through the drain.

If the responsible party fails to maintain drain covers to a reasonable standard, you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries. Please contact Legal Expert today to see if you’re eligible to claim for falling down a drain. An expert personal injury lawyer could start working on your case if you meet the right criteria to make an injury claim.

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How Much Compensation For Falling Down A Drain Could You Claim?
How To Claim For Falling Down A Drain
Who Could Be Responsible If You Fall A Drain?
Could Falling Down A Broken Drain Cover Cause Injuries?
How Can I Prove A Broken Drain Cover Injured Me?
Find Out How Much Compensation For Falling Down A Drain You Could Claim?

How Much Compensation For Falling Down A Drain Could You Claim?

You may be wondering, “How much compensation for falling down a drain could I claim?”. Well, we can’t give you an exact figure for how much compensation you could potentially receive because all claims are unique in circumstance. However, we can tell you how personal injury compensation is calculated.

If your claim for falling down a drain is successful, up to two heads of claim could make up your compensation – general damages and special damages.

General damages provide compensation for how falling down a drain has affected you physically and psychologically. As such, these factors are considered:

Loss of amenity.
How severe your pain is.
How long the recovery period is.

Throughout the claims process, you may be asked to have an independent medical assessment. The reports from this can be used with the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to help evaluate your general damages.

The JCG contains guideline compensation values for different types of injuries and illnesses.

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Guideline Compensation Values

We have taken some injuries from the JCG that could potentially be suffered from falling down a drain, and have included them in the list below. We have also taken from the JCG their accompanying guideline compensation values (except for the first value, which is not from the JCG).

It is important to bear in mind that none of these values can be guaranteed for your potential claim for falling down a drain.

For multiple serious injuries plus special damages – up to £1,000,000+.
For very severe brain damage, where there is little to no language function or meaningful response to life – £344,150 to £493,000.
For moderately severe brain damage, where the person is in a permanent minimally conscious state and has a reduced life expectancy – £267,340 to £344,150.
For moderate brain damage, where there is a modest intellect deficit and the prospect of employment is greatly reduced if not removed – £110,720 to £183,190.
For paraplegia, where the bottom half of the body is paralysed – £267,340 to £346,890.
For a severe back injury, involving damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots – £111,150 to £196,450.
For a moderate back injury, such as a prolapsed intervertebral disc that requires surgery – £33,880 to £47,320.
For a severe leg injury, such as when extensive bone grafting is needed because a fracture has not united – £117,460 to £165,860.
For a severe leg injury, such as multiple fractures to a single limb – £33,880 to £47,840.

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What Else Could I Receive In A Compensation Payout?

Special damages provide compensation for how falling down a drain has affected you financially. This includes:

Any medical bills, such as prescription costs.
Professional and domestic care costs.
Loss of earnings if you’ve been unable to work during the recovery of your injury.

Since special damages are not awarded in every successful case, having evidence is very important. Such evidence that can prove your monetary losses includes bank statements, invoices, receipts, and payslips.

To find out more about how much compensation you could potentially claim for falling down a drain, please contact us today.

How To Claim For Falling Down A Drain?

Just because someone has fallen down or through a drain does not automatically mean they can make a personal injury claim. Sometimes accidents happen that could not have been prevented. To make a personal injury claim following an accident involving a drain or drain cover, it is important to establish if you meet the correct criteria. You will need to establish the following are true of your circumstances.

Firstly, another party must have owed you a duty of care. Secondly, that party must have neglected their duty of care by failing to complete necessary inspections or maintenance of the drain cover. Alternatively, that party could have known the manhole cover was broken but failed to repair it in a timely fashion. Finally, you must have suffered an injury.

Contact our adviser if you’d like further information about duty of care.

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Who Could Be Responsible If You Fall A Drain?

In the UK, certain legislation means specific parties owe a duty of care to others. This section will examine which parties could be responsible for maintaining drain and manhole covers to a safe standard.

Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, the parties that manage public spaces or premises are known as occupiers. They owe a duty of care to those who use that space for its intended purpose. This legislation determines they must take steps to ensure the reasonable safety of those using the public premise.

For example, your local authority could be responsible for maintaining certain walkways. Therefore, they could be found liable for an accident caused by their failure to maintain a drain or grid cover to a safe standard.

Very often, utility companies and telecommunication companies are responsible for manhole covers, so your claim may need to be directed to them.

In conclusion, if the party negligently and a broken manhole or drain cover injures a person, that party may be liable for the harm caused. Therefore, the injured individual could be eligible to make a public liability claim.

Could Falling Down A Broken Drain Cover Cause Injuries?

This kind of accident could lead to injuries like:

Sprains or strains
Lacerations
Soft tissue injuries
Broken bone injuries
A spinal cord injury, which may cause permanent paralysis
Head injury or traumatic brain injury

To learn how much compensation for falling down a drain you could claim, please contact Legal Expert today.

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How Can I Prove A Broken Drain Cover Injured Me?

Certain pieces of evidence can help prove negligence. For instance, this could include:

CCTV footage showing the accident
A copy of your medical records
Photographs of your injuries
Contact details for witnesses who saw the incident

If you choose to work with a personal injury solicitor, they can help you locate evidence to be used in support of your claim. Speak to our advisers if you’d like to know more.

Case Study – Falling Down A Broken Drain

The case study concerns Miss R, who suffered multiple injuries after falling down a broken drain cover. Miss R frequently ate her lunch at a public park. On her journey to the park, she would pass several manholes and drains. Several individuals had previously reported that a drain cover was broken to the water company, but they had neglected to repair the drain or block the area from use.’’

Miss R went to the park on her break and stepped on the broken drain cover with her right leg. Her right leg fell through the drain cover, causing multiple injuries to her ankle, knee and hip, including several broken bones. After seeking the correct medical attention in the hospital, Miss R pursued a public liability claim against the utility company.

Find Out How Much Compensation For Falling Down A Drain You Could Claim?

Please contact Legal Expert today to ask if you’re eligible to claim for falling down a drain. An advisor can assess your case during a free consultation and, if they feel your claim is valid, may pass you on to one of our solicitors.

Our solicitors usually work under a type of No Win No Fee arrangement known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). There is no upfront service fee. You also typically don’t have to pay for the lawyer’s services if your claim fails. Instead, you pay a success fee if you win.

The success fee is legally capped, meaning that you always receive the majority of your compensation.

If you have any questions, reach out to our team of advisers. They can provide information about the claims process. This consultation is free, so learn more today: