Call to paymedical bills

By Lia Bichel
THE husband of an elderly woman who fell on a footpath and broke her wrists is calling on the Casey Council to foot the bill for her medical treatment
Frederick Brohier of Narre Warren said his wife Betty was going for her daily walk when she tripped on a raised footpath on Fleetwood Drive and broke her left hand and right wrist.
Andrew Patestos, who lives nearby, heard Mrs Brohier’s cry for help and called the ambulance.
Mr Brohier said the council should pay for his wife’s medical bills.
“She was in Dandenong Hospital then Casey Hospital. We were told she will need care which will cost $30 a day. We are pensioners, we that can’t afford that,” he said.
“We can’t sue the council but we want the council to pay for the bills. If I cut a tree down, they would fine me – so if she falls on the footpath – they are liable.”
City of Casey Manager Administration Ian Sparrow said the couple could contact the council to obtain a request for consideration for compensation form.
Mr Patestos said that since Mrs Brohier fell, the council has spray painted the footpath yellow to draw awareness to it.
“As long as you got your eyes open it could work,” he said.
“But it is still a pretty big step.”
Mr Patestos said he has contacted Casey Council many times to fix the footpath, which he believed was raised due to nearby trees’ roots.
“The roots of the tree are lifting it up,” Mr Patestos said.
“When I spoke to the council they came out and cut off a branch, but they need to do something more. I was just waiting for the day someone would be injured.”
Manager Roads and Construction Rob Kriek said the council was investigating the concerns.