Boy injured in hockey game awarded £24,500 compensation
Wednesday 27th July 2011
Boy injured in hockey game awarded £24,500 compensation.A boy who was hit in the mouth while playing hockey at school has been awarded £24,500 compensation.
The incident happened after the boy and other pupils were given new lightweight plastic hockey sticks.
The children had attended hockey training in the past but had only used wooden hockey sticks.They were not given any training in using the plastic sticks before being allowed to use them during a lunchtime game. While they were playing, they were supervised by a teaching assistant who was also watching over other pupils in the playground.
During the game, the boy was hit in the mouth by another pupil’s stick. Some of his teeth were broken. He went on to develop mouth ulcers and had difficulty eating certain foods.
He had to undergo a significant amount of painful dental treatment and he became self-conscious about his appearance, which affected his self-confidence. Four years after the accident, he continued to suffer from mouth ulcers and it was expected that he would need to be monitored for the rest of his life.
The court found that the school was negligent in failing to provide reasonable training in the use of the hockey sticks. It also held that the supervision of the pupils in the playground was inadequate.
The boy was awarded £24,500 compensation to cover his pain and suffering, and to fund his future dental care.
AP (A MINOR BY HIS MOTHER AND LITIGATION FRIEND) v BATH & NORTH EAST SOMERSET COUNCIL (2011)
- Total Damages: £24,500
- PSLA: £9,500
- Trial/settlement date: 11/1/2011
- Type of Award: Court Award
- Judge: HHJ Wade
- Court: Swindon County Court
- Age at trial: 15
- Age at injury: 11
- Sex: Male
Anyone who is injured as a result of someone else’s negligence is entitled to claim compensation.
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