Police Officer Sues After Tripping On Kerb

[Darandio]

There is now more pressure on the PC to withdraw the claim.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-22000760

A police and crime commissioner has called on a police officer to withdraw her compensation claim against a petrol station after she tripped on a kerb.

PC Kelly Jones says she was injured at the petrol station at Thetford, Norfolk, and her solicitors have been pursuing a claim against its owners.

Norfolk PCC Stephen Bett urged her to do "the right thing" and withdraw it.

PC Jones could not be contacted for comment but her solicitors are expected to issue a statement later on Tuesday.

Calls for her to drop the legal action follow claims by the Daily Mirror that her father had persuaded her to withdraw the case.

Law firm Pattinson and Brewer wrote to Steve Jones, owner of the Nuns' Bridges filling station, after PC Jones tripped while attending reports of a break-in at about 00:20 BST on 25 August.

'Leaves me cold'

The claim alleges the petrol station failed to ensure PC Jones was "reasonably safe", making no attempt to light the area or warn her about the step.

Mr Bett said he believed PC Jones, 33, should withdraw her legal action as soon as possible.

"In my mind, that would be the right thing to do and, judging from what people have been telling me, what the public would want to see," he said.

He said PC Jones' reported behaviour in bringing the claim "leaves me cold".

"Police officers, like other members of the emergency services, accept that when they join up they may have to put themselves in danger in order to do their job," he said.

"It is appalling to think that rather than putting the public first, there are some who see the possibilities of taking their own legal action to benefit financially."

'April Fool's joke'

"Of course, there are officers who deserve to receive help when they are injured in the course of duty and the public would readily support this. PC Jones, I suspect, is not one of them."

Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, said he was writing to Home Secretary Theresa May asking for "urgent clarification" over the issue.

He said he had initially thought the story was an April Fool's joke, and that PC Jones' claim could deter people from calling the police.

"It's absolutely essential we clarify the guidelines because this kind of case will put people off ringing the emergency services and indeed have implications for every single person who may ring up 999 and ask for assistance," he said.

"I'm writing to the home secretary to ask her whether there are any guidelines, and if there aren't any guidelines I think it's important that we have them."

PC Jones' claim is backed by the Police Federation but not Norfolk Constabulary.

'A contact sport'

Norfolk's chief constable Phil Gormley said he was "disappointed personally and professionally" by the claim.

"Policing is a contact sport, as is life on occasions. You can't eliminate all risk," he said.

"I'm not saying be cavalier but one of the things when I was a lot younger that attracted me to the police service was that level of excitement and, on occasions, risk."

Mr Gormley said he had noticed a "compensation culture" that was "corrosive".

"You only have to sit in an accident and emergency department and all around you in many places there are encouragements to sue people," he said.

"It breeds defensive organisations and it generates a lot of bureaucracy."

The Home Office said it did not comment on individual civil claims.

 

[Ferret]

That's another 'Outraged of Orpington' letter that Bungle needs to write then!

 

[GatwickDepress]

According to today's Mirror, PC Jones has dropped her claim against the garage owner.

 

[jb]

To be fair to DarloRich, 'arguably' is the relevant issue here. Her lawyers will argue it is the station owner's fault. His lawyers will argue otherwise.

That means that you can make up any old sh*t you like. Arguably.

 

[Clip]

Keith Vaz loves writing letters and being involved in everything doesnt he?? Surprised he ever gets to see his constituents.

 

[Ferret]

Keith Vaz loves writing letters and being involved in everything doesnt he?? Surprised he ever gets to see his constituents.

Isn't he the chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee? I guess this arguably falls within this remit.

 

[Clip]

I think he's on everything

But

Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, said he was writing to Home Secretary Theresa May asking for "urgent clarification" over the issue.

He said he had initially thought the story was an April Fool's joke, and that PC Jones' claim could deter people from calling the police.

"It's absolutely essential we clarify the guidelines because this kind of case will put people off ringing the emergency services and indeed have implications for every single person who may ring up 999 and ask for assistance," he said.

"I'm writing to the home secretary to ask her whether there are any guidelines, and if there aren't any guidelines I think it's important that we have them."

He could always ask some of his colleagues who also held that post within his party

 

[Southwest]

According to today's Mirror, PC Jones has dropped her claim against the garage owner.

Common sense or a fear of ridicule from the general public, you decide. Maybe she only put the claim in because all her PPI claims were turned down.:roll:

This country really is going to the dogs!

 

[Ferret]

Common sense or a fear of ridicule from the general public, you decide. Maybe she only put the claim in because all her PPI claims were turned down.:roll:

She put in her legal claim out of greed, let's be frank. Compo is free after all, it's not like anybody pays for it... :roll:

 

[Oswyntail]

She put in her legal claim out of greed, let's be frank. Compo is free after all, it's not like anybody pays for it... :roll:

Or it's possible that she tried to claim for loss of earnings, and the insurers wouldn't consider it without her giving her name to a civil claim. I don't know, you don't know, very few people actually know. Doesn't stop the usual crowd getting involved, though.

 

[455driver]

Isn't he the chair of the Home Affairs Select Committee? I guess this arguably falls within this remit.

There is only one "chair" he should be sat in!

 

[Ferret]

Doesn't stop the usual crowd getting involved, though.

You mean the Chief Constable? And a senior MP?

 

[jon0844]

One thing I read was that there was a chance of her being made redundant and she was seeking to go off on injury rather than compulsory redundancy, so was possibly trying to make something more of her injury and perhaps the claim was part of this?

It can't have helped her that she was photographed recently looking just fine, making it hard to justify a huge claim or any chance of having an easy, well paid, way out of the police.

All jet wash areas would have a kerb, so it would be expected even if not well lit. What's more, did anyone ask her to go there in the first place?

And if anyone on here ever thought the solution might be to put up signs to state the obvious, we would end up with loads of people injured or killed as they just ignored the billions of signs we'd have. We only need warnings for obvious risks, not everyday ones.

Still, good news the claim has been withdrawn.

 

[anthony263]

Seems this wasnt the 1st time she has made a claim according to the BBC today

 

[High Dyke]

Seems this wasnt the 1st time she has made a claim according to the BBC today

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-norfolk-22058485

PC Jones had filed another claim to Norfolk Police related to a crash while on duty in Garboldisham, South Norfolk, in the early hours of 30 January 2012.

'Compensation culture'

During the incident her police car, in which she was a passenger, was following a suspect reported to be travelling at high speed.

Her car then left the road and ended up on its side. Police said the vehicle was written off.

 

[Geezertronic]

Doesn't clarify whether she was driving the car or not, be interesting to know. Should be removed and put on desk duty if the pressure of being a PC is too much for her...

 

[jon0844]

Says she was a passenger. Does that mean she's effectively after the driver of the police car? If so, who would want or agree to work with her ever again?

 

[gswindale]

Says she was a passenger.

Personally I would not want to work with this woman as I don't feel she would be trustworthy enough to risk carrying out her duties effectively if there was the possible option of £££ by taking unnecessary risks.

 

[ralphchadkirk]

Says she was a passenger. Does that mean she's effectively after the driver of the police car? If so, who would want or agree to work with her ever again?

Some people have a knack of making themselves extremely unpopular at work - and in that kind of career, your life can be made very difficult. Serves her right really.

 

[richw]

Sounds like she is bringing the force into disrepute with the way the public is reacting. Her chief constable has spoken publically about he disagrees with her actions.
I'd suggest she may be pushing her luck, and the cheif may watch her actions very carefully for an excuse to get rid.

 

[455driver]

Should be removed and put on desk duty if the pressure of being a PC is too much for her...

She could claim compo for repetitive strain injuries then!