Parking fine whilst receiving emergency hospital treatment

wrenlegs

Last week my husband took himself to hospital in extreme pain (around 10am). He paid the full amount possible £4 for a parking ticket form a meter which would have him covered until around 2.10pm. When he was seen at A+E he was taken admitted to the RATU ward and given 3 xrays, put on a drip and given pain relief. He was discharged at gone 5pm. He had been given a parking ticket at 2.11 or somehing. We have a letter form Lewisham hospital and signed to say when he was admitted and released. I cant drive so couldnt help in any was *feels completely useless* The next day he was rushed to St Thomases and later that day admitted to Guys hospital for 3 days (kidney stone). I have just come to deal with this wretched ticket (a week later) and it says NOT to pay the reduced fine of £40 if we intend to appeal. Basically, do we have a leg to stand on or should I pay now?? Help please

briggy

I had a similar thing happen, was going in for blood tests that should have taken 10 - 15 minutes but ended up being in for 6hrs, and not allowed to leave the building until I was seen by a counsultant.

I had to appeal in writing withing 7 days of the ticket being issued, which I did. I was told I had to pay the ticket and if my appeal was upheld I whould have it refunded. When I rang up to pay it they told me it had been cancelled

Put everything in writing and include copies of the letter from the hospital and good luck

wrenlegs

Thanks Briggy - Im now getting twitchy cos we only have 7 days left to get this to Worthing and there is a postal strike... I think I may well try to appeal

trisontana

If this is a private parking ticket and not one issued by a council then just ignore it. It's not a "fine" and the hospital would have to take you to the county court and prove they had suffered an actual material loss. As this was at the most £4 then they are breaking the law by demanding an unfair penalty of £40.

wrenlegs

trisontana wrote: »

If this is a private parking ticket and not one issued by a council then just ignore it. It's not a "fine" and the hospital would have to take you to the county court and prove they had suffered an actual material loss. As this was at the most £4 then they are breaking the law by demanding an unfair penalty of £40.

Hello - no its NCP Lewisham council - boo hiss. Thanks for your advise though

trisontana

wrenlegs wrote: »

Hello - no its NCP Lewisham council - boo hiss. Thanks for your advise though

At least a council might be more sympathetic to you than a private parking company.

wrenlegs

On the back they have an address for 'enquiries'. I presume this is the address to send my letter to? - there is no telephone number either so how can I contact them to check they have recieved my letter?:mad: Just a PO Box address - Worthing)

muckybutt

It is a privately issued invoice, it is NOT A FINE do not contact them or pay them a penny, if indeed it ever went to court - which it wont then you have good grounds to defend it then and they would most certainly lose, read up on private parking companies at https://www.forums.pepipoo.com look at the parking and decrim section and do a search for ppc you will get loads of advice and info, but never ever get in touch with a ppc.

The ONLY body that can impose a fine are the courts, and only the police and councils can issue penalties, anything else form anyone else is just an invoice remember that.