Call back for new
personal injury claims only
Leave your details to request a call back.
You are in: Home Page |
News Desk | News Story
12th March 2010
Grandmother saved pupils from being crushed by faulty climbing frame
Injured working in school
A grandmother, who was injured while protecting school children from falling wall bars, has received £10,000 in compensation, with help from her union UNISON.Julie Belcher, from Stourport on Severn, was working as a teaching assistant, at Hartlebury Church of England Primary School, in Hartlebury, in 2007, when a faulty frame fell off the wall in the sports hall.
The 49-year-old grabbed the bar to protect the six pupils standing nearby, but the bars landed on her thighs. She was left with severe bruising and swelling, whiplash to her head and shoulders and suffered from insomnia and nervousness.
Mrs Belcher was off work for seven weeks, while she underwent physiotherapy. Her left thigh has never fully recovered and it was recommended that she have plastic surgery to remove the lump that remains.
Thompsons Solicitors made claim for compensation
A claim was settled against Speller Metcalfe Ltd, the firm that failed to secure the climbing frame to the wall.
Dave Prentis, UNISON’s General Secretary, said:
“This accident must have come as a shock to Julie and if it wasn’t for her quick thinking and selflessness some of the children may not have survived.
“I am happy that UNISON has managed to secure some compensation for Mrs Belcher, but it will not make up for the physical and mental scars caused by the incident.
“Safety must come first in schools and that means making sure equipment is regularly checked and maintained.”
Safety must come first in schools
Mrs Belcher said:
“It is shocking that the builder who put up the climbing frame must have known that it would fall so easily and injure somebody.
“I had six young children pulling out the equipment with me, who would have died if it had fallen on them.
“I have four grandchildren and you expect them to be safe when they go to school.
“The accident has changed my life and you can still see the lump through my clothing, I am desperate to have surgery as soon as possible.”
Louise Hepplestone, from Thompsons Solicitors, said:
“This incident could have had horrific consequences.
“Mrs Belcher’s quick thinking and reactions undoubtedly saved the young children in her care from being struck by the falling wall bars.”
This news story was also published by Birmingham Mail and The Shuttle.
Compensation Claim Advice
If you or someone you know has suffered an injury or illness whilst at work or at school, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.
There are strict time limits in place to make any personal injury claim. For further information, contact us or visit our Questions Answered page.
Thompsons Solicitors are experts in all personal injury matters. We will be able to advise you whether or not you have a valid claim for compensation. Our specialist personal injury lawyers will be happy to talk you through the process of making a claim in plain English and will be happy to answer any questions or queries you may have. If you do have a valid personal injury compensation claim and you decide to instruct Thompsons Solicitors to deal with the matter for you, we will recover our legal fees from the person responsible for your injury, ensuring that the entire procedure is cost-free for you. Telephone us now on 08000 224 224 or complete one of our online compensation claim forms.
Contact us about your accident or injury
Call us for free on 08000 224 224 Call us from your mobile on 0330 123 123 0 (charged at local number and free when covered by inclusive minutes) Request a call back Text CLAIM to 82010 (standard network rates apply)
