Tree surgeon fell into hidden ground tank.

Lbuk

I found the tree surgeon pouring water in his bare ankle and asked if he’s ok.

No. He’d fallen into a hole and twisted his ankle. He was hobbling badly.

I was alarmed to find a dinner plate sized hole and a 6ft drop beneath on the lawn. A water tank of some sort, didn’t smell fowl.

We’ve only lived here a few months and its not on the otherwise very thorough ground plans. Driven the ride on over it several times.

I’m suspecting they put the cover through with their truck or falling tree. He said he thought it was a rabbit hole so had seen it, kind of.

I asked him if he needed to stop. No.
I asked if he needed anything. No.

He’s still working on the trees now, hobbling. Driven away to dump wood chips and come back. 

Insisting on carrying on, although he has suggested it might stop him coming back tomorrow if it gets worse overnight.

I assume I’m liable for the cause although I had no way of knowing it was there, but I’m not sure he did due diligence and he has made the decision not to seek attention for it.

I’m wondering how this could go assuming he is unable to come back tomorrow… or even work ever again?!

What is the reasonable way to handle this?

TadleyBaggie

If you had no knowledge of the tank, it's hard to see how you could be deemed negligent and therefore liable. 

It's an accident that no one could foresee.

theoretica

Now you know about the hole, put a cover over it and barrier around it if you haven't already.  And make arrangements for a more permanent safe cover.

Section62

Lbuk said:

I found the tree surgeon pouring water in his bare ankle and asked if he’s ok.

No. He’d fallen into a hole and twisted his ankle. He was hobbling badly.

I was alarmed to find a dinner plate sized hole and a 6ft drop beneath on the lawn. A water tank of some sort, didn’t smell fowl.

We’ve only lived here a few months and its not on the otherwise very thorough ground plans. Driven the ride on over it several times.

I’m suspecting they put the cover through with their truck or falling tree. He said he thought it was a rabbit hole so had seen it, kind of.

I asked him if he needed to stop. No.
I asked if he needed anything. No.

He’s still working on the trees now, hobbling. Driven away to dump wood chips and come back. 

Insisting on carrying on, although he has suggested it might stop him coming back tomorrow if it gets worse overnight.

I assume I’m liable for the cause although I had no way of knowing it was there, but I’m not sure he did due diligence and he has made the decision not to seek attention for it.

I’m wondering how this could go assuming he is unable to come back tomorrow… or even work ever again?!

What is the reasonable way to handle this?

You've got household insurance which includes cover for claims made by a third party visiting/working on your property?

If so, if anything comes of it just pass the information onto your insurer.

If not, it would be a good idea to get that cover asap, although it won't cover anything that arises out of this incident.

Now you know this hole is there you need to find out what it is for and whether it is still needed.  If not needed, it would be sensible to get it properly filled in before there's another accident.

FreeBear

Section62 said: Now you know this hole is there you need to find out what it is for and whether it is still needed.  If not needed, it would be sensible to get it properly filled in before there's another accident.

If it is unused, I'd look at having a proper manhole cover fitted and use it to store rainwater - Quite likely that we will be getting hosepipe bans, so having a store of water will help to keep your garden green.

Section62

FreeBear said:

Section62 said: Now you know this hole is there you need to find out what it is for and whether it is still needed.  If not needed, it would be sensible to get it properly filled in before there's another accident.

If it is unused, I'd look at having a proper manhole cover fitted and use it to store rainwater - Quite likely that we will be getting hosepipe bans, so having a store of water will help to keep your garden green.

I'd probably do the same if it stored water rather than letting it drain away.  At a guess I think the OP may have a soakaway, or a disused septic tank/cesspool.

I guess an old air raid shelter could be another possibility.

fenwick458

if he kept on working then it can't be broken, probably just a sprain, seems very unlikely that anything will ever come of it so I wouldn't worry

Brie

fenwick458 said:

if he kept on working then it can't be broken, probably just a sprain, seems very unlikely that anything will ever come of it so I wouldn't worry

Not to scare the OP but I think this is a big assumption.  It's typical of people who injury a lower extremity to continue to try and walk on it thinking it might shake the problem off.  But yes - this is why you have home insurance to cover these sorts of things.

Eldi_Dos

If there is one trade you hope would have adequate insurance it would be a tree surgeon.
Before allowing work to recommence the suspect area needs to be marked and taped off.

Keep_pedalling

The other possibility is that is a disused well.