Compensation claim news
11/12/2007
Panto sweets cause personal injury scare

Pantomime stars at a Norfolk theatre have been warned to buck the tradition of hurling sweets into the crowd in case children are left with personal injuries.

Bosses at the Great Yarmouth theatre have told their Babes in the Woods and Robin Hood cast not to launch sweets towards their admiring audience for fear that hurt youngsters might contact personal injury solicitors to help them make compensation claims.

Instead, ushers will pass confectionary around the hordes of excited children, making sure that sweet-induced accident claims are avoided. Such steps have to be taken as the theatre's insurers have warned that the panto bosses aren't covered for injuries caused by flying sweets.

Many pantomime goers have attacked the revelation and the cast and crew are said to be disappointed at the ban too.

In fact, the show's director was told journalists: "Throwing sweets into the crowd is one of the great traditional parts of pantomimes and children have enjoyed it for years."

But personal injury lawyers have warned that, if not covered by insurance, the pantomime could very well be on the receiving end of a compensation claim made by a blinded child.