Sheila Burgman, a 75-year-old from Maidstone, has won a two-year legal battle against Kent County Council after her car sustained damage from a pothole in January 2024. The incident required Burgman's blue Peugeot 307 to have its shock absorber replaced.
Burgman incurred costs of £515 for the repairs. She submitted multiple claims to the council seeking compensation, but each was denied. By the end of 2024, Burgman decided to pursue the matter in small claims court. She stated that she had become frustrated after her initial claims were rejected and noted that the council had failed to appear for a scheduled court date in November.
The case was rescheduled for May, where both parties presented their arguments. A judge ultimately ruled in Burgman's favor, awarding her the full repair cost of £515 and an additional £155 in court costs.
Burgman expressed satisfaction with the outcome, calling the decision "incredibly satisfying." She also highlighted that as a taxpayer, she felt the council's fault should be recognized. She maintained that she was driving carefully at the time of the incident and that the financial loss was unfair. Burgman, a former hairdresser, indicated that she did not seek more than her repair costs, describing herself as "not greedy" and emphasizing the importance of the principle involved.
She stated, "At the end of the day, it wasn't so much about the money. It was the principle because I knew I had a case. I knew I was in the right." She added that she was determined to pursue the matter and encouraged others in similar situations to do the same if they believe they are in the right.
A spokesperson for Kent County Council acknowledged that following an investigation, the council accepted liability for the damage. The council stated that a compensation offer was made, but it was based on their assessment that some replaced parts were subject to normal wear and tear. Burgman did not accept this offer and proceeded with the small claims court action. The council confirmed that the court determined the compensation amount, and the claim has since been settled.
Data from January to April 2024 indicated that 18,853 potholes were reported, a slight decrease compared to 21,593 reported in the same period the previous year.