As others have indicated, negligence is the operative here......
I have one going on against the Cornish Council at the moment - a nasty pothole downhill, some 9 inches deep, that took out my sump and damaged the crankcase, a £3000 bill with the car hire. Back in November, someone down here took them through the small claims court and the Magistrate asked to see the photos and the invoices and, in less than 5 minutes, had ruled in favour of the Plaintiff. I have been in contact and over have come the insurance forms - all completed with supporting paperwork and photos and filed yesterday. The contingency is my insurance co will support me (at a cost of loss of 15% of my NCD) but why should I lose that.
I had also written to the Council prior to this event about the condition of the lanes around local valley as to potholes, cc my MP as well......
I can only try and so can your friend. Garnish as much support as she can as to folk pointing out the damage to the carpark.