The taxpayer could face a hefty pay-out after a walker who tripped over a speed hump launched legal action.
The claim has been lodged against Berkhamsted Town Council through Lincolnshire-based law firm Roythornes Solicitors.
The man who made the claim has refused to talk to the Gazette while the case is active, fearing it could affect the outcome.
But it is understood he tripped over a road hump in the car park outside of Lagley Meadow Youth and Community Centre on December 7 last year.
He broke his arm and is now claiming for ‘damages and losses’ against the town council – though a compensation amount has yet to be decided upon.
Council clerk Gary Cox said: “Someone was walking outside Lagley Meadow and tripped over one of the sleeping policemen that was covered in mud and slush.
“He fell and broke his arm and has been off work for a few months.”
Mr Cox believes the accident happened on a short stretch of road that forms part of the car park.
The town council leases the centre and its grounds from Dacorum Borough Council. The borough council insists it is the town council that is responsible for their upkeep.
But Mr Cox said: “The lease itself is unclear about responsibility for the road.
“I am contacting Dacorum Borough Council to see where responsibility lies and we are doing our best to make sure this does not happen again.”
This could mean better highlighting speed humps near the centre and checking the arrangements for cleaning and gritting the road around them.
Mr Cox said: “I will be looking as clerk to make sure that if there is a risk in that part of the road, then something is done about it.”
In the meantime, the compensation claim has been referred to the town council’s insurers.