• Ranked in Chambers & Legal 500 for Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
  • Featured in the Times Top Law Firms 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 & 2023 for Personal Injury & Clinical Negligence
  • In 2022 alone, we were successful in securing over £91 million in damages for our clients

Elderly woman flung from wheelchair due to pothole in the road

A pothole covered by leaves left a disabled old lady with injuries after she was catapulted from her wheelchair.

Seventy five-year-old Ivy was being pushed along the road in Moss Side by her husband when the wheel was caught in the pothole and she fell from the chair.

She was taken to hospital with a broken finger and bruising to her face where she stayed overnight for treatment.

The great-grandmother, who previously suffered a stroke, is still in pain following the accident.

Hugh Potter, partner and personal injury solicitor at Potter Rees Dolan, said:

A horrible pothole in Moberly caused me to crash off my road bike. I broke my collar bone in three pieces and smashed my helmet. I needed to have an operation and was off work. I am suing the local authority.

I have my own claim ongoing against Macclesfield for its failure to repair dangerous pot holes promptly so I have a vested interest but the roads are in a poor state, particularly those given low priority. It would have been far better for me and cheaper for everyone if the road had been safe.

Manchester City Council have since filled in the pothole after Ivy's accident and have recently announced a £100m road repair scheme.

Read a blog on the dangers of potholes for cyclists from Jeremy Smith, personal injury solicitor, about a cyclist who won a claim against the council after he crashed due to a pothole.

Hugh Potter is a personal injury solicitor with Potter Rees Dolan. Should you have any queries about the issues raised in this article and wish to speak with Hugh or any other member of the team please contact us on 0161 237 5888.