Woman left with catastrophic injuries- Council faces big payout

18 July 2010

MUNICIPAL road-side shrubberies could become a thing of the past after top judges ruled overgrown bushes were partly to blame for a road smash which left a woman catastrophically injured.

The Appeal Court judges on Tuesday ruled that Pervin Yetkin, 54, would never have suffered life-threatening injuries had her view of traffic not been obstructed by verdant greenery.

Mrs Yetkin was struck down by a blameless taxi driver as she crossed Stratford's High Street on her way to a night out at Gala Bingo February 13, 2004.

Her injuries included fractures to her pelvis, neck and leg, along with cuts to her liver.

The decision means she is now in line for substantial compensation from Newham Council.

Mrs Yetkin, from Dalston, was using a crossing when the taxi hit her.

Ruling Newham Council 25 per cent liable for her injuries, Appeal Court judge, Lady Justice Smith said the overgrown shrubbery "created a hazard on the highway" and "seriously interfered" with her view of traffic.

Full story in Wednesday's Recorder