Man who slipped awarded £32,000 (From Malvern Gazette)

Man who slipped awarded £32,000

11:24am Friday 22nd March 2013 in News

BRITAIN’S ‘blame culture’ has been slammed after a council was forced to pay out thousands to a man who was injured when he slipped on berries in a churchyard.

Councillor Tony Burt is angry Bromyard and Winslow Town Council’s insurers did not contest the case in court – but also reserved some ofhis wrath for the owner of the closed churchyard, which does not accept responsibility.

Robert Marsh was walking along a path outside St Peter’s Church in Bromyard when he slipped on berries from a yew tree.

It is thought Mr Marsh, who died earlier this year in unrelated circumstances, broke a bone as a result of the fall in 2010.

He was later awarded an out-of-court settlement sum of £32,824.92.

Coun Burt said: “It does seem a lot of money and I am disappointed that the council’s insurance company didn’t contest the matter in court.”

Although the pay-out was covered by insurance, it could result in a rise in the authority’s insurance premiums.

This, in turn, could put a bigger drain on Bromyard residents.