Comments on: Can you be sued for gritting pavements if someone hurts themselves? Ask the Association of Personal Injury Lawyers

By: Connor Bell

Connor Bell — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:39:58 +0000

personal injury is sometimes unavoidable even if you are very careful, so be prepared for it.”:

By: kmachin

kmachin — Mon, 11 Jan 2010 11:05:09 +0000

Thanks for posting this – hopefully someone will be able to provide a definitive answer.

I was told that by clearing the snow one day, it could mean ice the next, and people find it easier to walk through deep snow than on a sheet of ice. So, by being helpful on one day, I was creating a hazard for the days to come.

Another concern for me was that the people who said this to me could potentially be the very ones to slip – and could then also say they warned me.

I’m so glad it’s thawing now – but would still like to know the answer.

By: Adrian Short

Adrian Short — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 18:14:29 +0000

Tim,

It does appear that way. I’ve asked APIL to clarify the matter.

The Telegraph does seem to be spinning a litigious society narrative. And you’re right, if you want information on legal matters, lawyers are the best people to ask.

Mail Online has got a similar story with a quotation from John McQuater identical to the Telegraph’s one.

By: Tim Hobbs

Tim Hobbs — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:35:42 +0000

His words aren’t quite contradictory. If you do something, and it is unreasonable, you could be in trouble. If you do nothing, you can’t be liable, although the whole concept of negligence is based on people not doing things.

It’s most telling that the Telegraph asked “Health and Safety experts” about the law, whilst the Guardian asked a lawyer. Having been interviewed by the Telegraph I’d not be surprised if they were highly selective with their quote to find something that fit their piece.

By: If you clear thesnow from your street and someone slips over can you be sued? - I don't feel 50 Forums

Sun, 10 Jan 2010 16:30:45 +0000

[...] If you clear thesnow from your street and someone slips over can you be sued? So you decide to do the community-spirited thing and help to clear ice and snow from your public street. Then someone slips over and hurts themselves. Can you be sued? [...]