Manchester City Council – How To Sue For Compensation

This guide will explore when a valid claim against Manchester City Council might be justified. We will also explore the responsibility a local council has to uphold the duty of care they owe you.

claim against Manchester City Council

A guide on when a claim against Manchester City Council could be justified

Additionally, this guide will provide examples of the different types of accidents that could occur in a public place.

Whilst we have aimed to provide the information you need, we understand that you may still have questions. If so, get in touch with our advisors. They can offer you free legal advice, 24/7.

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Select a Section

  1. Could I Claim Against Manchester City Council For Personal Injury?
  2. Could I Claim Against The Local Council For A Personal Data Breach?
  3. What Is A Housing Disrepair Claim?
  4. Can I Make A Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?
  5. How Long Would I Have To Make A Claim?
  6. Get Advice On A Potential Claim Against Manchester City Council
  7. More Resources On When A Claim Against Manchester City Council Could Be Justified

Could I Claim Against Manchester City Council For Personal Injury?

You may be eligible for compensation if you have sustained an injury due to a third parties negligence. This is where someone breaches the duty of care they owed you.

The person in control of a public space has a duty of care to take all reasonable steps to reduce or remove the risk of any known hazards. This duty of care extends to local councils and is outlined in the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957.

Whilst their responsibilities may vary, examples include:

  • Fixing raised paving tiles.
  • Repairing potholes on council owned roads.
  • Addressing tree roots that are protruding from concrete.

If your local council fails to fix issues that they are aware of within a reasonable time frame, they would be breaching their duty of care. Furthermore, if this breach directly causes an injury, you may be eligible for a claim.

For example, you could be involved in a slip or trip accident due to a raised paving tile the council failed to fix after being made aware. This could cause you to sustain a break or fracture such as broken cheekbone or a broken hip.

For more information on when a valid claim against Manchester City Council could be justified, call our team.

What Compensation Could I Receive After Making A Successful Claim?

If you make a successful personal injury claim, you may receive a settlement comprising general and special damages.

Special damages compensate for financial losses you’ve incurred due to your injury, such as travel expenses and carer fees. You will need evidence to support any financial losses, such as payslips and bank statements.

General damages compensate for the physical and emotional pain and suffering you have experienced due to your injuries.

Below, you will find a table showing guideline compensation amounts for various injuries. This has been based on the 16th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) which is a document solicitors can use to help them value the general damages head of claim.

Please only use this table as a guideline as how much you could receive will depend on specific factors in your case.

InjuryGuideline Compensation Bracket
Injuries Involving Paralysis - (b) Paraplegia£219,070 - £284,260
Brain and Head Injury - Moderate (i)£150,110 - £219,070
Back Injuries - (a) Severe (i)£91,090 - £160,980
Other Arm Injuries - (a) Severe£96,160 - £130,930
Hand Injuries - (e) Serious£29,000 - £61,910
Wrist Injuries - (a) Loss of Function£47,620 - £59,860
Injuries to the Elbow - (a) Severe£39,170 - £54,830
Ankle Injuries - (b) Severe£31,310 - £50,060
Leg Injuries - (b) Severe (iv)£27,760 - £39,200
Neck Injuries - (b) Moderate (i)£24,990 - £38,490

Could I Claim Against The Local Council For A Personal Data Breach?

A personal data breach is when a security incident affects the confidentiality, availability and integrity of your personal information.

As data controllers, those who set the purpose for processing your personal data, local councils must adhere to data protection laws. The UK General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR) and an updated version of the Data Protection Act 2018 set out the responsibilities an data controller has to protect your personal data. This also extends to a data processor who acts on behalf of the data controller.

If they fail to adhere to data protection law, it could result in your personal data becoming compromised. Some examples of data breaches include:

  • Someone sends your personal information to an incorrect email address or postal address.
  • The loss or theft of paperwork containing your personal data.

In order to claim, you must prove that the data breach was caused by a data controller or data processor’s failings and that your personal information became compromised as a result. This could be due to not updating cyber security measures or through human error. You must also prove that you sustained mental suffering or loss of a financial nature.

If you have evidence of a data breach, call our team. They can discuss when a data breach claim against Manchester City Council could be justified.

What Is A Housing Disrepair Claim?

If you’re renting council owned property, the council is your landlord. They have a duty of care to fix any issues affecting the house’s structural integrity, exterior, and anything related to utilities. It is especially important that any issues that could cause an injury are repaired as soon as possible.

Examples of how disrepair could cause an injury include:

  • A decaying banister that caves in and causes you to fall down the stairs and sustain a severe neck injury
  • Mould that causes respiratory problems
  • Unsafe electrics that cause an electric shock

If the council fails to uphold their duty of care to fix any known issues in your home and this causes you harm, you may be able to seek compensation.

If you have evidence to support a valid housing disrepair claim against Manchester City Council, speak to our advisors today for free legal advice.

Can I Make A Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?

When making a personal injury claim, you may want to be represented by a solicitor from our panel. A type of No Win No Fee arrangement called a Conditional Fee Agreement offered by the solicitors from our panel may benefit you. With this type of agreement, you are not obligated to pay any fees for your solicitor’s services up front or while your claim is going on.

You also do not have to pay for your solicitor’s services if you do not win your claim. In the event of a successful claim, you only pay a success fee from your compensation. This is a small percentage that is legally capped.

To find out more about the services our panel of solicitors can offer, please get in touch on the number above.

How Long Would I Have To Make A Claim?

In relation to personal injury law, there is a time limit on how long you have to claim. This is set out in the Limitation Act 1980.

For personal injury claims, you have three years from the date of your accident to make a claim. However, this can also start from the date you became aware of an injury being caused due to negligence.

If someone is under the age of 18 when their injury happened, the time limit will not start until they reach 18 years of age. Before this point, the courts could appoint a litigation friend to make the claim on behalf of the child.

In a situation where someone lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, the three years are frozen. A litigation friend could make the claim on their behalf in the meantime. Alternatively, the three years will start from the recovery date should they regain their mental capacity.

You have six years to start a data breach claim. This is reduced to one year when claiming against a public body.

For more information on the time limits and when a claim against Manchester City Council could be justified, call our team.

Get Advice On A Potential Claim Against Manchester City Council

Contact our advisors if you still have any questions about when making a claim against Manchester City council could be justified. They can offer free legal advice 24 hours a day.

You can get in touch by:

More Resources On Making A Claim Against Manchester City Council

Guides On How To Sue The Local Council

We hope this guide has helped you understand whether a claim against Manchester City Council could be justified. If you have any other questions, get in touch on the number above.

Article by ROB

Edited by MIT