Taxi accident news
29/12/2010

Compensation unlikely after taxi accident at hotel

The family of a man who died in a taxi accident outside a hotel in Ashby, Leicestershire, may now be eligible to claim compensation since the owners of the property have been fined for breaching health and safety rules.

A prosecution brought by North West Leicestershire District Council had alleged that the hotel had done nothing to prevent risks of an accident occurring between pedestrians and vehicles around the front entrance.

It was stated that the 78-year-old victim, who was a former mining industry manager, had died after colliding with a taxi reversing at the entrance in April.

Council officials who inspected the area in July found no action had been taken over their previously-reported significant safety concerns in the area around a canopy where passengers were dropped off and picked up.

Since the personal injury accident, the hotel has been sold for £1.5m after it went into administration, however, a lawyer for the former directors told the court there were only assets of less than £25,000 remaining.

In fining the company £80,000 with £2,700 costs, Judge David Meredith said, "The court's penalties should override the money owed to the directors, who have been found in fatal breach of health and safety."

Because of the company's financial difficulties, even though the hotel's liability for the taxi accident death has been established, it may not be possible for the victim's family to receive compensation.