Council Pays Out £245 Over Pothole Damages
A UK council has paid out £245 to a doctor who took them to court over a pothole that damaged his car. Dr Burton, a local resident, accessed the small claims court via the government’s Money Claim Online portal and received a default judgement in his favour when the council failed to respond within the two-week statutory period. According to a report from the BBC, Dr Burton’s claim was successful due to the council’s failure to respond to the summons.
The BBC reports that Dr Burton was awarded £245, which included £35 in court fees. The council eventually paid out the sum after an administrative error led to the default judgement being issued. A council spokesperson said that Dr Burton’s claim was initially rejected as the pothole had been identified and was awaiting repair. "Following an administrative error, the decision was made to pay the default judgement as it would have cost more to pursue the matter," they said.
In an interview with the BBC, the council spokesperson stated that "under normal circumstances, this claim is one that the council would have successfully defended." However, the council’s failure to respond to the summons led to the default judgement being issued. The BBC understands that the council is reviewing its procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The case highlights the importance of councils taking claims seriously and responding promptly to summons. Dr Burton’s successful claim demonstrates that individuals can take action against councils and other authorities if they feel that they have been wronged. The BBC reports that the council is committed to maintaining its roads and ensuring that they are safe for drivers.
The BBC has learned that the council has a system in place for reporting and repairing potholes. However, in this case, the pothole was not repaired quickly enough, leading to Dr Burton’s claim. The council spokesperson said that they are "sorry" for the damage caused to Dr Burton’s car and that they are "committed to making things right."
This case serves as a reminder to councils and other authorities of the importance of taking claims seriously and responding promptly to summons. As the BBC reports, the council has paid out £245 to Dr Burton, highlighting the financial implications of failing to respond to claims. The incident will likely lead to changes in the council’s procedures for handling claims and responding to summons.
In a statement, the BBC said that "the case highlights the importance of councils being vigilant and responsive to claims made against them." The BBC understands that the council will be reviewing its procedures to prevent similar incidents in the future. The authority will be taking steps to ensure that all claims are thoroughly investigated and responded to promptly.
