By Stephen Anderson. Last Updated 15th October 2024. In this guide, we will provide information on council compensation payouts that you could receive following a successful claim. There are various instances where you may be eligible to make a claim against the council. For instance, you may have sustained harm as a result of your local council failing to uphold the duty of care they owe you.
This guide will provide examples of accidents caused by the council’s negligence to help you understand whether you’re eligible to seek compensation. In addition, we have aimed to help you understand what the compensation package you receive may cover following a successful claim.
Furthermore, we will explore the different steps you could take to support your case, including gathering evidence that’s relevant.
Although we have aimed to cover the information you need, please don’t hesitate to contact our team if you have any questions after reading. Our team of advisers are available 24/7 to discuss your case in more detail. You can reach them by:
- Calling on 0800 408 7825
- Talking to an adviser via the live chat feature below
- Filling in our online contact form.
Select A Section
- When Could You Sue The Council For Negligence?
- Accidents You Could Claim Council Compensation Payouts For
- Council Employee Injury Claims
- Council Compensation Payouts
- Contact A No Win No Fee Accident Lawyer
- Council Accident Claim Resources
When Could You Sue The Council For Negligence?
While you are in a public place, such as a public park or using footpaths, the individual or organisation in control of that space must ensure your reasonable safety. This is their duty of care as set out in the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. If a breach in this duty of care results in you suffering an injury, you might be eligible to claim personal injury compensation.
If you suffer an injury while in a local authority space, such as tripping over uneven pavement resulting in a broken foot, you might like to know whether you are eligible for compensation from the council. To make a personal injury claim, you need to be able to prove that:
- You were owed a duty of care.
- This duty was breached.
- You suffered harm because of this breach.
Direct any questions you may have about council compensation payouts to one of the advisors from our team. They can offer further information about public liability claims and help identify whether you have good grounds to seek compensation.
Accidents You Could Claim Council Compensation Payouts For
Below, we have included examples of accidents that could result from the council’s negligence:
- Council slip and trip accidents – You may have tripped over a broken pavement slab causing you to sustain a broken ankle. In this instance, you could seek compensation for the effects of your injuries if the council failed to take reasonable action to fix the pavement slab.
- Pothole accidents – A pothole could cause serious accidents on the road that could result in significant injuries, such as a serious brain injury. If you experience an accident caused by a pothole that the council failed to fix in a reasonable amount of time, you may be eligible to seek compensation for your pain and suffering.
If you’ve sustained an injury following an accident in a public place due to the council’s negligence, our team of advisers would be happy to talk with you. They may be able to connect you to an experienced personal injury lawyer from our panel. They can also answer questions on matters such as council compensation payouts in the UK.
Compensation From The Council – Personal Injury Claim Time Limits
In order to claim compensation from the council, you must ensure that you begin your claim within the personal injury claims time limit. This limit, along with time limits for various other kinds of claims, is set out by the Limitation Act 1980. It states that you will generally have three years to start a personal injury claim for compensation from the council. However, there are some exceptions.
For example, the time limit freezes if you are injured while under the age of eighteen. While the time limit remains frozen, a litigation friend can start a claim on your behalf. Otherwise, you can start your own claim when the three-year time limit comes into effect on your eighteenth birthday.
Similarly, the time limit is frozen for those who lack the mental capacity to claim for themselves. However, the time limit freezes indefinitely in these cases and only reinstates if the claimant recovers the appropriate mental capacity. Otherwise, their claim can be made by a litigation friend at any time while the limit is frozen.
To find out more about council compensation claims, or to learn if you are within the right time limit to make a claim, get in touch with our team. Or, read on to find out how to make a council compensation claim.
Council Employee Injury Claims
If you’re an employee of a council and have suffered an injury due to your employer’s negligence, you may be able to make a claim. The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 states that all employers have a responsibility to safeguard and protect their employees by taking all reasonable and practical steps.
However, in some cases, your employer may fail to do so causing you to suffer an injury. For example, they may fail to put measures in place to keep the office space you work in free from excessive clutter. As a result, you may trip over a stack of files causing you to sustain a broken wrist.
Our team of advisers can talk with you about making a claim for an accident at work against the council. If you have a valid claim, they can discuss the potential council compensation payouts you may receive if your claim is successful.
Council Compensation Payouts
The portion of council compensation payouts that covers your pain and suffering is known as general damages. It’s calculated in relation to how your injuries have impacted on your physical and mental health. Factors such as the length of your recovery period are also considered.
Those involved in valuing council compensation payouts in the UK may refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). The table below shows some of the figures from these guidelines, except for the top entry. However, these figures only relate to claims made in England and Wales.
The amounts in the table cover certain injuries that may make up a council injury claim and they can be viewed for guidance purposes. Keep in mind that your own claim will need to be specifically assessed before it can be valued accurately.
| Injury | Severity | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Compensation for multiple serious injuries plus expenses | Serious | Up to £1,00,000+ |
| Brain Injury | Very Severe | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Neck Injury | Severe (i) | In the region of £181,020 |
| Ankle Injuries | Very Severe | £61,090 to £85,070 |
| Ankle Injuries | Severe | £38,210 to £61,090 |
| Wrist Injuries (a) | Complete Loss of Function | £58,110 to £73,050 |
| Finger Injuries | Severe Finger Fractures | Up to £44,840 |
| Foot Injuries | Moderate | £16,770 to £30,500 |
| Hand Injuries | Moderate | £6,910 to £16,200 |
In addition to general damages, compensation for a council injury claim may also include special damages. These damages compensate you for the financial impact your injuries have had on you. An example of this could be loss of earnings due to taking some time off work to recover from your injuries. The cost of certain medications, physiotherapy or travel costs for attending appointments may also be covered under special damages. To be reimbursed for such expenses, you will need to provide certain documents as evidence, such as pay slips or bank statements.
Get in touch with our advisors today to learn more about the potential value of your council compensation claim.
Contact A No Win No Fee Accident Lawyer
A No Win No Fee agreement, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement, is a contractual agreement between you and your solicitor. As per the agreement, you won’t pay any costs during the course of your claim. Also, you won’t pay an upfront fee for your solicitor’s services.
If your claim loses, you won’t have to pay a success fee to your solicitor. If your claim wins, your solicitor will take the success fee out of your compensation.
As you can see, there are several benefits to hiring legal representation this way. However, if you would like more information, please get in touch.
An advisor will be happy to offer you legal advice for free and discuss whether a solicitor from our panel could take your case on this basis. They could also provide further guidance on council compensation payouts in the UK.
For more information regarding your claim:
- Call us on 0800 408 7825
- Fill in our online contact form
- Chat with an advisor via the live chat feature below.
Council Accident Claim Resources
In the sections below, we have provided some additional resources that you may find beneficial.
- Public School Personal Injury Claims Guide – Has your child suffered an injury due to a public school accident? Our guide contains useful information.
- Public Pavement and Road Defect Accident Claim – If you’ve suffered an accident due to a public pavement and road defect, you may be entitled to a council compensation payout. Our guide could provide further information.
- Claims Against the Council for a Personal Injury – For more general information on making a council accident claim, see this guide.
- GOV Guide – Compensation After An Accident Or Injury
- NHS – Medical Conditions
- The Royal Society For The Prevention Of Accidents – Road Safety Advice
We hope this guide on how to receive council compensation payouts has helped. However, if you have any additional questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch on the number above.