A police officer has claimed compensation from a business owner after she received injuries while on duty. After the claim was reported, the officer in question received disapproving comments from reporters and the public.
The incident itself involved a police officer who had been called to a service station to investigate a reported burglary. While surveying the area for damage she spotted a small opening where she would be able to gain access to the back of the property. On her way towards this opening she tripped on an unexpectedly steep piece of pathway which was not marked or easy to see. This trip harmed the police officer’s wrist and leg, leaving her unable to work for a period of time and needing medical help.
Police Injury Claims
Although some have criticised the police officer for making a claim, it raises the question of what makes a claim acceptable. In this case the police officer was significantly affected by her injuries, leading the representative body for the police in the UK to defend her actions by stating that officers “should have the opportunity to recoup any loss of earnings”. After all, the police officer was harmed and put out of work as a result of something she could not be blamed for.
In cases like these where a claim is met by press disapproval, it is important to remember that claims of negligence or infringement of health and safety fail if the defendant is found not to be responsible for harm to the victim.
If you have been harmed through no fault of your own then the attitude of the press in cases like these should not put you off or stop you from making a claim. It is not unreasonable or unacceptable to claim compensation if harm you have suffered has been caused by the neglect of another.
If you have suffered an accident then contact Nelsons and we will be pleased to advise you. We have a strong, experienced personal injury department and we are able to offer ‘no win, no fee’ agreements to our clients.
If you have any questions in relation to the topics discussed in this article, please contact our expert Personal Injury team in Derby, Leicester and Nottingham on 0800 024 1976 or via our online form.