Taxi driver who broke ankle in pothole ready to take council to court

Taxi driver, 66, who has lost £10,000 in earnings after breaking his ankle when he tripped on a POTHOLE says he is ready to take his local council to court

• James Tiffoney, 66, was left in agony after falling into a ‘crater’ outside Tesco
• Grandfather-of-one, from Renfrew, was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital
• He was unable to return to work for 10 weeks and claims he earns £1,000 a week

A taxi driver who lost £10,000 in earnings after breaking his ankle when he tripped on a pothole has said he is ready to take his local council to court.

James Tiffoney, 66, was left in agony after falling into a ‘crater’ outside Tesco on Busby Road, in Clarkston, in December last year.

The grandfather-of-one, from Renfrew, was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley were medics confirmed he had a fracture in his foot and fitted him with a boot, before ordering him to take time off work. 

Mr Tiffoney, who transports passengers back and forth from Glasgow Airport, was unable to return to his job for 10 weeks after the incident, where he claims he usually earns £1,000 a week.

He claims East Renfrewshire Council has refused to take responsibility for his injury and is now planning to take them to court for damages.

James Tiffoney (pictured), 66, who lost £10,000 in earnings after breaking his ankle when he tripped on a pothole has said he will take his local council to court

He was left in agony after falling into a ‘crater’ (pictured) outside Tesco on Busby Road, in Clarkston, in December

He was rushed to the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley were medics confirmed he had a fracture in his foot (pictured) and fitted him with a boot

Mr Tiffoney said: ‘I came out of Tesco and got ready to cross the road. That’s when I stepped in this large pothole – it was like a crater.

‘The fall was terrible. I hit the ground and I was in agony. The pain was excruciating. I was in a right state.

‘A few people came along and helped me up but I knew my ankle was broken.

‘I complained to the council but they refused to pay out. Road workers then came out and patched up the pothole, but it’s already crumbling again. I’ve absolutely no doubt that someone could trip and fall in it again.

‘I’m now speaking to a no win no fee lawyer. I’ve missed 10 weeks of work where I would usually earn around £1000 a week.

‘We were struggling a bit financially while I was off and I was itching to get back to work, but I’m still in a lot of pain on journeys and I’ve still got problems with my ankle.’

Mr Tiffoney, who worked in the oil industry before retiring and becoming a taxi driver, added that he was fit and healthy before his accident and has been left angry by the council denying any responsibility for his broken bone.

He continued: ‘I’m not a feeble pensioner. I’m fit. That’s why I am so angry about what happened. I haven’t done anything wrong. All I did was step in a hole that shouldn’t have been there.’

Mr Tiffoney said he came out of Tesco and went to cross the road before stepping in the large crater-like pothole

A spokesperson for East Renfrewshire Council said: ‘We’re sorry to hear Mr Tiffoney suffered this injury. His claim was assessed by our insurers and rejected.

‘We carry out routine safety inspections of our roads and pavements, with any safety issues, including potholes, recorded and repairs scheduled.

‘We have re-inspected this site this week and although there has been slight deterioration, but it would not be classed as a safety defect.’

Mr Tiffoney is appealing for witnesses and has asked anyone who saw him fall to get in contact through his Facebook page.

Source: Read Full Article