Fell into Water Drain - Missing Manhole cover

Glover1862

Was having a fence installed at a rental property I own, small path (3ft wide) which gives access to the rear gardens had a wooden board on the floor, I stepped into it and the next thing I know I've fallen straight into the drain, the board just gave way. I managed to get myself up with the help of the two fence installer who where behind me. The wooden board had clearly become water logged and no idea who put it there, you could see evidence of a really badly corroded drain cover which someone had but to a side.

Thames water own the drain and I reported it today to get the drain cover replaced, they're doing it today. Yesterday I had some injuries, scrapped leg and shoulder, but didn't feel too bad, this morning I've got up and got a pain in me ankle and just generally feel quite beaten up, however don't think I've broken anything.

I've taken some time off work, didn't want to hassle the doctor as I'm sure the bruising will go down. The fence chaps witnessed the accident and so did a qualified nurse, would it be worth putting in a claim with Thames Water as clearly not been maintained for ages?

I've never claimed for anything before, not even insurance, is it worth the hassle, am I likely to get anything?

Norman_Castle

Glover1862 wrote: »

The wooden board had clearly become water logged and no idea who put it there, you could see evidence of a really badly corroded drain cover which someone had but to a side.

As the cover had been removed and the hole hidden by an unknown person its unlikely Thames water are liable.

phil24_7

They will only be liable if they were previously made aware of the damage and hadn't fixed it. Count yourself lucky it was you and not someone you rented to (if inside your boundary)!

cajef

Glover1862 wrote: »

would it be worth putting in a claim with Thames Water as clearly not been maintained for ages?

I've never claimed for anything before, not even insurance, is it worth the hassle, am I likely to get anything?

I would think it would only be negligence if you could prove that anyone had reported to them at any time and Thames Water knew what condition it is in but had done nothing about it.

Dan-Dan

Uncle Albert , is that you ?

societys_child

I thought the owner was responsible for maintenance and repairs within their own property (unless shared) ?


Citizens Advice:

Generally speaking, you’re usually responsible for drains inside the boundaries of your property, while the sewerage company is responsible for lateral drains, which are outside of property

27col

The compensation culture seems to be alive and well.

Ebe_Scrooge

27col wrote: »

The compensation culture seems to be alive and well.

My thoughts exactly - what with this, and the broken spring over on the motoring board :mad:

brightontraveller

I don’t think owner of board/plank over the manhole will charge you for breaking it :rotfl:

Furts

Why didn't OP re-word the post along the lines of "I am a !!!!less landlord who has fallen into a manhole on my property because I have no sense of responsibility and I do not have a Duty Of Care to myself".

Sometimes words fail me!

chappers

Doesn't sound like it's on their property but on a common alleyway behind the gardens.
My question would be what is the actual loss you think you might be suing for.
But I think that some people are being a bit harsh on the OP, if you stepped on a piece of wood on the ground why would you believe that it was covering an open manhole.
I would go and visit your doctor to get it documented, you never know what the long term consequences might be.
I stepped off a roof about 15 years ago on to an unsupported board on a scaffold which resulted in one leg slipping through leaving me with the other leg still on the roof, this only left me off work for a couple of days at the time and I thought nothing of it, I'm not into this blame culture either.
I've lost count of the amount of time and money this has cost me over the years due to lost time at work, I am now awaiting an appointment for the third operation on this knee as my knee locks on a daily basis due to the severe cartilage and ligament damage and has become a major factor in me deciding to get out of the building game.