Council damage car and win case in court
Discussion
http://bbc.in/2qXiDtT
Long story short:
Council employee damages a car with a mower. Employee informs the car owner about the incident and admits responsibility. Council refuse to pay for the damage and win the case in court.
I find this a little strange. Do the council not have insurance to cover any damage that might happen to property while they go about their business?
I know my business insurance covers me for any damage I may cause to other people's property while I'm working.
I appreciate there will be factors such as negligence, but this seems awfully mean of the council, especially as they spent more defending it than paying out.
Long story short:
Council employee damages a car with a mower. Employee informs the car owner about the incident and admits responsibility. Council refuse to pay for the damage and win the case in court.
I find this a little strange. Do the council not have insurance to cover any damage that might happen to property while they go about their business?
I know my business insurance covers me for any damage I may cause to other people's property while I'm working.
I appreciate there will be factors such as negligence, but this seems awfully mean of the council, especially as they spent more defending it than paying out.
IMO it's negligent of the mower to do this. I have a verge alongside a lane and wouldn't dream of mowing it with a car parked nearby, there's always the risk of something flying. I even stop mowing when cars pass.
It's not hard and doesn't take much thought but it seems to have been beyond this council employee.
It's not hard and doesn't take much thought but it seems to have been beyond this council employee.
PurpleMoonlight said:
No.
The damage was clearly caused by the councils lawnmower. Although not legally responsible it is not unreasonable for them to compensate the innocent victim of the accident even though there was not legal negligence.
It's about treating people fairly and not giving them the finger.
Exactly.The damage was clearly caused by the councils lawnmower. Although not legally responsible it is not unreasonable for them to compensate the innocent victim of the accident even though there was not legal negligence.
It's about treating people fairly and not giving them the finger.
I appreciate the legalities of it, I just find it difficult to swallow that the council would damage someone's personal properly whilst going about their business, admit it was their fault, then simply 'give them finger' instead of being decent people and paying out £200.
If I damaged someone's property whilst at work, I would certainly compensate them fairly rather than just try to fob them off and hide behind a barrister.
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