He was climbing with friends in the Fort Purbrook Centre when he broke his neck after attempting a jump that was “dangerous and foolhardy”. After the accident he launched a claim for compensation against the Portsmouth Youth Activities Committee, the charity that owns the climbing centre.
In court a judge ruled that Mr Poppleton had behaved in a reckless manner at the climbing centre and was to blame for his injuries. Mr Poppleton is appealing against the ruling.
Judge Foster found the charity 25% to blame for the accident as they did not warn that the crash mat would not fully protect him from any injuries. However he said that no compensation should be paid as that would “over-regulation and what is now referred to daily as the nanny state”
The defence said that “he knew perfectly well, when he chose to jump, that there was a risk of falling.”
Mr Poppleton’s lawyer is arguing that “had appropriate monitoring and supervision been in place, or an appropriate buddy system, or proper training, then this incident would not have occurred.
“Had he been made aware of the danger, he would not have carried out the manoeuvre in the mistaken belief that the matting made a fall safe. He consented to take part in the activity in the mistaken belief that it was.”
Carys is an author of several articles pertaining to No Win No Fee, Compensation Claims, Personal Injury Claims and other legal articles.