Torrevieja council has agreed to pay 7,052.24 euros in compensation to a woman who was seriously injured after falling on a damaged wooden walkway at La Mata beach. The accident occurred at around 10.30am on 17 May 2023, near the Red Cross post.

According to Local Police, the woman fell on uneven planks and was unable to get up, complaining of severe pain in her shoulder and legs. She was taken by ambulance to a private hospital, where doctors diagnosed a subarachnoid haemorrhage, a fractured eye socket, a broken humerus and injuries to her hip and knee. She had initially claimed 34,000 euros.

A municipal report accepted that the walkway was in poor condition and did not meet accessibility standards. However, the Consell Jurídic Consultiu concluded that responsibility should be shared, stating that although there was deficient maintenance, the defect was visible and could have been avoided with due care. It reduced the assessed damages of 14,104 euros by 50 per cent.

The advisory body also criticised the council for excessive delays in processing the claim. The walkway has since been replaced with a new technological wood structure designed to provide a stable, level surface and withstand coastal conditions.