Collingwood fan sues over broken arm.

[Sojourner]

From Adelaide Now,

Footy fan, 80, sues over broken arm
May 11, 2008 12:30am

AN elderly Collingwood fan is suing the Melbourne Cricket Club after suffering a broken arm when a player allegedly punted a Sherrin into the crowd.
Patricia Sims, 80, had not even seen the first bounce when she was allegedly hit by a ball at the MCG.

Ms Sims missed out on seeing her beloved Magpies beat the Kangaroos by three points on March 31 last year.

In a statement of claim lodged with the County Court on April 30, Ms Sims demands cash for medical bills and home help.

She claims the incident happened during the pre-match warm up when "a number of footballs were kicked into the public seating area at the premises".

Neither the offending player nor the club is identified.

Ms Sims suffered a fractured right arm requiring surgery and had so far spent more than $12,000 on medical expenses, the claim states.

The bill has been paid for by the Department of Veterans' Affairs but will have to be repaid, the claim says.

Ms Sims also needs ongoing hospital and medical services and home help, it says.

The Melbourne Cricket Club was negligent on several grounds, the claim asserts, including failing to prevent patrons being being hit by footballs.

Ms Sims, a well-known Collingwood fan whose home in the Bendigo suburb of Kangaroo Flat even includes a concrete 30cm tall Magpie at her front door, did not wish to comment over the action, a family member said yesterday.

An AFL spokesman said nets were now erected behind the goals when players were warming up and practising goal kicking.

"The nets come down three minutes before the game starts and if a player continues to kick at goal after the nets come down or deliberately kicks into the crowd, the club can face a heavy sanction," he said.

MCC chief Stephen Gough said the AFL set the rules for the pre-match warm-up.

If there was a spate of injuries caused by footballs hitting spectators, the situation would be reviewed by the MCC and the AFL, he said.

Patrons being injured at the MCG "happen from time to time", including people falling on steps, as well as Mrs Sims' case, Mr Gough said.

http://www.news.com.au/adelaidenow/stor ... 10,00.html

[mighty_tiger_79]

bad luck

they do tell people to be careful when seated behind the goals

[mighty_tiger_79]

maybe she should be suing the AFL club not the MCG/MCC

[spell_check]

If the club wasn't identified then it had to be a Collingwood player.

[evans01]

Ms Sims, a well-known Collingwood fan whose home in the Bendigo suburb of Kangaroo Flat even includes a concrete 30cm tall Magpie at her front door, did not wish to comment over the action, a family member said yesterday.




i reckons its those dreaded concrete magpies that cause all the problems....

[Dogwatcher]

I'd be more worried if it was on a stick

[LaughingKookaburra]

Thats pathetic, honestly thats why our insurance premiums go up so much. Should have kicked it harder i reckon

[Punk Rooster]

remove the club form the article- "elderly woman sues over broken arm" becomes a story about how lax practices at a suburban football stadium caused an elderly fan to suffer a broken arm, & watch the tributes/support flow...

[the joker]

what an idiot watch out!!!
they tell you to watch out for the footys

[hearts on fire]

[Hondo]

remove the club form the article- "elderly woman sues over broken arm" becomes a story about how lax practices at a suburban football stadium caused an elderly fan to suffer a broken arm, & watch the tributes/support flow...

That's a good alternative POV Punky

If she's out of pocket $12K I have some sympathy for her. She's hardly in a condition to move as quickly to get out of the way as someone younger. Especially if its just a player randonly punting a ball into the crowd - at least if it was in-game she could be more prepared.

What if she was your grandmother?

I know it's potentially a can of worms if she gets paid, and I know there's got to be some duty of care when you are in the crowd but geez .. $12K who's got that sort of money lying around The MCC would have public liability insurance to cover it.

Clearly the MCC are concerned about a precedent if she's had to go to court they have obviously not returned her calls.

[BUZZ]

As we all know,these days you can be sued if someone breaks into your property and hurts themselves, pathetic really.
Pay her medical bills and the club involved, give her a couple of years free membership, in seats on the wing and all shall be forgotten.

[RoosterMarty]

She should be arrested for assaulting the footy.

[evans01]

wots the problems she's got another arm.....

[Dirko]

She should be happy...she's exceeded the average Collingwood supporters life span by 18 years

[dinglinga]

as my footy coach always said

" KEEP YOUR EYES ON THE BALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

[Rik E Boy]

She should be happy...she's exceeded the average Collingwood supporters life span by 18 years

....her age also surpasses the average Collingwood supporter's IQ as well.

regards,

REB

[JK]

Will no doubt be a popular lady if successful and we see netting permanently erected* behind the goals for future AFL matches

[Rik E Boy]

Will no doubt be a popular lady if successful and we see netting permanently erected* behind the goals for future AFL matches

..and behind the point posts for Hawthorn matches.

regards,

REB