A grandmother is pursuing legal action against television personality Jeremy Clarkson following a serious accident at his pub, The Farmer’s Dog, located in the Cotswolds. Elizabeth Palmby, 68, sustained multiple injuries, including broken ribs, after falling in the car park, which she described as hazardous due to “razor sharp” metal covers.
On her visit to the pub in November 2022, Elizabeth traveled over three hours from her home in Scunthorpe with her husband, Darren. Rain had left the car park in poor condition, leading to her fall while she was carrying groceries. Elizabeth recounted, “I instinctively threw my hand out to save myself and badly banged my knee. I fell flat, landing on the bag carrying the eggs, smashing them all.”
After the fall, Elizabeth was rushed to Witney Community Hospital, where doctors discovered significant injuries. “I didn’t know how bad it was. But when they cleaned it up, I saw a gaping, open, jagged, ugly wound. It was horrible and very painful,” she stated, noting the severity of the damage caused by the metal covers.
Following her discharge, Elizabeth returned to The Farmer’s Dog to report the incident and fill out an accident report. Although staff offered her a complimentary meal and new eggs, the situation worsened when subsequent X-rays revealed metal fragments lodged in her hand. A plastic surgeon later removed these fragments, and it was confirmed that she had broken ribs as a result of the fall.
Legal Action and Safety Concerns
Feeling that safety measures at the pub had not improved since her accident, Elizabeth and her husband revisited the location. To her dismay, she found that the car park remained unchanged. Following the incident, planning permission for a permanent hard surface in the car park was granted by West Oxfordshire District Council in February 2023. However, construction cannot begin until a detailed surface water drainage scheme is reviewed and approved.
Despite feeling intimidated by Clarkson’s celebrity status, Elizabeth decided to take action. She contacted accident specialists at Express Solicitors to initiate a compensation claim. “I know Jeremy is a perfectionist, and the pub itself was perfect, and the staff were great, but the car park was a total disaster. It is very dangerous and an accident waiting to happen. I am probably scarred for life,” she commented.
The Farmer’s Dog, which gained fame through its feature in Clarkson’s Farm on Amazon Prime, has yet to respond to inquiries regarding Elizabeth’s claim. This incident highlights ongoing concerns about safety at popular venues and the importance of addressing hazards to prevent future accidents.
As Elizabeth seeks compensation for her injuries, the case underscores the need for immediate improvements in public safety measures, particularly in areas frequented by visitors.
