Sheila Burgman, a 75-year-old former hairdresser from Maidstone, has won a two-year legal battle against Kent County Council after her car was damaged by a pothole. A judge awarded her £515 for repairs and £155 in court costs, totalling £670.
Two-Year Battle for Justice
In January 2024, Ms Burgman's blue Peugeot 307 hit a pothole on London Road in Allington, Kent, damaging the shock absorber. She paid £515 to fix the car and submitted multiple compensation claims to the council, all of which were denied. By the end of 2024, she decided to take the case to small claims court.
“I’d had enough,” she said. “I’d put in three or four claims by then. We were meant to have a date in court last November, but they [KCC] didn’t turn up. Then it was moved to the end of May and we both had our say on what happened.”
Court Victory and Reaction
The judge ruled in Ms Burgman's favour, awarding her the full repair cost plus court fees. “I was buzzing with the result,” she said. “I was very happy. As the judge announced her decision, it was incredibly satisfying to simply sit in the same room as the man who had caused me so much grief for the last two years.”
Ms Burgman noted that she could have sought additional compensation but chose not to, stating she is “not greedy.” She emphasised that the case was about principle: “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.”
Determination and Advice to Others
Ms Burgman described herself as determined: “I'm like a dog with a bone, I won't give up.” She encouraged others in similar situations to pursue their claims: “It's really easy to do and more people should look at it doing it if they think they’re in the right.” She also acknowledged the council's argument about taxpayer money but countered: “I’m a taxpayer myself and it was their fault.”
Kent County Council was approached for comment but has not responded.
