A woman has been signed off work for months and may need surgery after “tripping over the pavement”.
Melanie Bouglas was making her way to work on January 23 when she fell over in Palatine Road, Worthing.
The 35-year-old, who lives in Worthing, said she tripped over the pavement and was left with complex injuries.
She said: “As I went down, I landed awkwardly on my leg and dislocated my knee.
“The bottom half of my leg was at a funny angle.
“As I moved it relocated itself as I have hypermobility.
“I couldn’t bear weight, I couldn’t move.”
Ms Bouglas was assisted by a passer by who called an ambulance. She was then taken to Worthing A&E.
After having X-rays, doctors sent her away with crutches and advised her to contact her GP, who told Ms Douglas that “something wasn’t right”, she said.
She then attended an urgent treatment centre where she was referred to orthopaedics.
Four weeks later, she attended an appointment and was given urgent scans, which revealed peroneal nerve damage and torn ligaments, including the ACL, PCL and LCL in the knee, she said.
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She was then referred to the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, where she is due to attend an appointment in October.
Ms Bouglas has been off work for eight months due to the injury and expects to remain off for “the next year” as a result of possible surgery.
“Financially it’s put us in a sticky situation,” she said.
“The statutory sick pay is finished. My half wages run out in November.
“My whole life has changed completely in terms of my mobility.
“I find it really really tricky and I have to plan ahead.
“I am in pain and have to walk very slowly. I am currently on medication from the doctors.
“I used to be able to get up and do things. I can’t do that anymore.”
She fears the injuries will leave her with a lifelong disability after surgeons reportedly advised her that she will likely not regain the full function of her foot.
Ms Bouglas reported the incident to the highways department of West Sussex County Council, who reportedly said “there was nothing wrong”.
She then decided to put a claim in as she “did not want other people hurting themselves”, which was rejected.
Ms Bouglas added: “I was quite deflated.
“The way it came across was that you should expect to be injured, that’s how it made me feel.”
A spokeswoman for West Sussex County Council said: “We are unable to comment on an individual personal injury claim.”
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