Damages Obtained for Woman Injured While Using Slide

A woman who suffered severe injuries to her ankle while using a slide in a public park has secured compensation from the council responsible for the park.

When she landed at the bottom of the slide, her feet became caught in a pit of mud that was not visible from the top of the slide. She suffered a fracture dislocation to her right ankle. She had to change the way she worked, as her work required her to put weight on her ankle for long periods, and the accident also had an effect on her ability to undertake leisure activities.

She brought a claim against the council, arguing that it had failed to ensure that the landing area at the bottom of the slide was made of safe material, and that it had allowed the pit of mud to form over time, creating a foreseeable risk of injury. Evidence as to her prognosis and future needs was obtained from medical experts.

The council admitted liability but claimed that the woman was partly at fault because she had used the slide after it had been raining and had not checked the landing area herself beforehand. After court proceedings were served, however, the council entered into negotiations which led to a six-figure settlement being agreed.