Personal injury news

Pensioner makes £1 compensation claim to council

A pensioner has made a £1 compensation claim to his local council after a tree fell and smashed two bottles of milk on his doorstep.

Roy Messenbird, 72, of Sutton, was stunned when a 30ft tree outside his home in Benhill Road snapped due to a fungal rot inside its trunk and believes the council should have cut it down.

He said, "The tree could have killed me or the kids who walk past my house every day on their way to school."

Mr Messenbird was lucky to escape serious personal injuries but his house was slightly damaged in the accident.

He found that although repairs to his property were covered by his home insurance, the cost of the broken mike bottles was not included and decided to make an accident claim.

He said, "A pound for two bottles of milk may not seem like a lot but I am a pensioner and it is extra cost that I do not need. It's the inconvenience as well."

He also made a claim for £25 after paying his granddaughter to clean up the broken glass because he was unable to bend down himself after having two knee replacements.

A spokesperson for the council has said that Mr Messenbird will not be receiving any money for the compensation claim as the tree appeared in good health at its last inspection.

They said, "The council has not acted in a negligent manner because the tree was inspected and its collapse could not have reasonably been foreseen."