M R Law has successfully recovered damages upon behalf of a man who suffered a serious knee injury after he lost his balance when walking over cellar doors in the pavement that began to open from below without warning.

The man was thrown off balance, stumbled and jarred his knee in the process, causing severe ligament damage that subsequently required an operation and extensive treatment. The injuries made it difficult for him to continue with his employment.

The incident occurred when contractors working at the premises began opening the cellar doors by means of an electronic switch in the bar, despite failing to ensure the area was cordoned off or anyone was standing at the doors preventing pedestrians walking over them whilst the doors emerged out of the pavement.

Ann Mahoney, head of Personal Injury at M R Law comments: “This case shows the importance of correct procedures being put into place to avoid unnecessary accidents. It was simple enough for those at the bar to ensure that nobody was walking over the cellar doors whilst they were opened from below.

Their failure to do so had severe consequences for our client and the protracted nature of his treatment was evidence in itself of the seriousness of the injuries he sustained.

As is so often the case, despite the injuries our client suffered, the insurance company representing the contractors working at the bar refused to accept responsibility for the accident until a couple of weeks prior to the final hearing. This caused a prolonging of the case and an unnecessary increase of the legal costs.

Despite their persistent denials of responsibility, we advised our client to continue with the claim and we are glad he was able to achieve an excellent outcome by recovering the damages he was due.”

If you have suffered an injury after tripping or slipping over, please contact our specialist personal injury team to speak directly to a qualified and experienced lawyer.