Our Client's Story
Lucy had just finished her grocery shopping and was walking through the car park towards her car. As she approached, her foot suddenly hit a large, unseen pothole, causing her to twist her ankle and fall. The pain was immediate, and she realised she had severely sprained her ankle. What’s worse, when she looked around, she noticed the car park was poorly lit, and the pothole was almost invisible in the shadows.
Lucy reported the incident to the shopping centre management, but they quickly dismissed her claim, stating that it was her responsibility to watch where she was going. Frustrated and in pain, Lucy knew something didn’t add up. After all, shouldn’t the car park have been properly maintained and well-lit?
Liability in public place accidents often hinges on whether the property owner has fulfilled their duty of care. In Lucy’s case, the poor lighting and neglected maintenance of the car park created dangerous conditions, and these factors would be central to determining fault. Lucy sought legal advice and began collecting evidence—photos of the poorly lit car park, the pothole, and reports from others who had also experienced falls in the same area.
Through investigation, it became clear that the management had neglected their responsibility to maintain a safe environment for visitors. The evidence was enough to establish liability, and Lucy was able to make a successful public liability claim. She received compensation for her injury, the medical expenses, and her lost wages while recovering. By holding the property owner accountable, Lucy helped ensure that future accidents would be prevented.