Grandmother compensated after school injury
A grandmother who was injured while protecting school children from falling wall bars, has received thousands of pounds in compensation.
The woman, who is from Stourport on Severn, was working as a teaching assistant, at a Church of England Primary School, in Hartlebury, in 2007, when a faulty frame fell off the wall in the sports hall.
The woman, who was in her late forties at the time of the incident, grabbed the bar so that she could protect the six pupils who were standing nearby, but the bars landed on her thighs.
She was left with severe personal injury including bruising and swelling, as well as whiplash injuries to her head and shoulders. She also suffered from insomnia and nervousness as a result of the accident.
More than a month off work and reconstructive surgery needed
The woman had to take seven weeks off from work while she underwent physiotherapy sessions. Her left thigh has never fully recovered and it was recommended that she have plastic surgery to remove the lump that remains.
A claim was settled against the building firm which failed to secure the climbing frame to the wall. The woman was awarded with £10,000 as a compensation claim, for the injuries she sustained and time away from work. She was given help and support from her union UNISON, as she sought her compensation claim.
Quick thinking saved children's lives
Dave Prentis, the General Secretary of the trade union, UNISON said: "This accident must have come as a shock to the woman and if it wasn't for her quick thinking and selflessness some of the children may not have survived."
Mr Prentis also said: "I am happy that UNISON has managed to secure some compensation for our member, but it will not make up for the physical and mental scars caused by the incident."
Mr Prentis concluded by saying: "Safety must come first in schools and that means making sure equipment is regularly checked and maintained."
Safety needs to be first in schools
Speaking about the incident, the grandmother 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."
She also said: "I had six young children pulling out the equipment with me, who would have died if it had fallen on them."
The grandmother, added: "I have four grandchildren and you expect them to be safe when they go to school."
She concluded by saying: "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."
Worst case scenario could have occurred
Louise Hepplestone, a spokesperson from the no win no fee solicitors' firm that helped the woman to secure her compensation claim, said: "This incident could have had horrific consequences."
She added: "The woman's quick thinking and reactions undoubtedly saved the young children in her care from being struck by the falling wall bars."
Updated on 3/15/2010