Don't let these claims succeed

With more and more individuals taking advantage of the increase in litigation in this country, clubs could find themselves being faced with claims by all sorts of unscrupulous members. Potholes in car parks or uneven paving surfaces or stone barriers three or four inches high around the exterior of club premises can all create problems if there is insufficient lighting and a member falls and claims an injury.

Clubs have faced all these problems in recent years and the number of claims from members alleged to have fallen is increasing all the time. External lighting can obviously overcome this, but clubs must be aware that vandals like to destroy such liting and wire cages across the front of the lighting would almost certainly deter them.

The best way to prevent claims is to be fully prepared and clubs hsould consider the installation of alarms and other devices at the earliest opportunity and talk to their insurance company or the Police who have experts in securing club premises. Usually this advice is provided free of charge.

May 2003