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8th June 2007

Claimant scores victory in football injury case

Illegal Tackle

UNISON and lawyers Thompsons have secured £42,500 for the partner of a member whose leg was broken in two places by an illegal tackle during a Sunday league football match.

The injured man, who was playing in the Birkenhead Sunday League, was hurt when an opposing player subjected him to a late, high and unlawful challenge which was with such force that his leg was broken in two places and even his shin pad was fractured. His injuries were so serious that he was off work for 18 months following the game.

The referee however did not witness the tackle, failed to discipline the offending player and did not prepare a match report.

The injured man’s claim was made even more difficult when half of each football team gave evidence with diametrically opposed recollections of the facts.

A claim for damages was made against the offending player and was dealt with by his insurers who fought the case to trial.

But despite this the judge at Liverpool County Court accepted his evidence and said that the challenge was “far beyond the laws of the game and beyond that which is permissible”.

UNISON Extended Legal Service Covers Family Members Injured Away From Work

UNISON North West regional secretary Frank Hont commented: “The success of this difficult case shows how prepared UNISON is to back its members and their family members in seeking compensation for injuries caused by the negligent actions of others even where the case is not straightforward or certain to succeed. Our extended legal service covers family members injured away from work and this outcome of this case illustrates just how effective it is at doing that.”

Matthew Tollitt of Thompsons, who represented the family member, said: “Pursuing compensation for people injured while taking part in sport is always difficult because the law says that an individual taking part has accepted the risk that they might be injured. But where a challenge is not only outside the laws of the game but is so outside that it is reckless and a player is injured as a result, the perpetrators of such challenges can expect to be sued.”

Compensation Claim Advice

If you or someone you know has suffered an injury whilst playing or watching sport, telephone us now for accurate claim advice.

There are strict time limits in place to make any 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 personal injury compensation claim forms.