Injury compensation news 27/02/2007

Personal injury solicitors help fireman claim

A fireman who was wrongfully assaulted and arrested by police has been awarded £15,000 in injury compensation.

The 37-year-old firefighter from Oldbury, Sandwell, decided to contact personal injury solicitors after he was arrested by police who had mistaken him for a drugs dealer.

The member of the Gloucestershire Fire Services was approached by officers in the McDonald's on Freeth Street in June 2004 and was forced down to his knees with his hands tied behind his back.

He commented on how he sustained his personal injuries and said, "The police officers were informed a black man was selling drugs from a blue car in the car park of McDonald's.

"I was in the queue waiting to be served standing with my son when I was approached by the policeman intent on arresting me.

"I had done nothing wrong and was crying at the time from the pain from the handcuffs digging into my wrist."

Following his arrest, he suffered an adverse reaction to the tetanus shot he received whilst in police custody and spent a week in Russell Hall Hospital.

He then decided to contact personal injury solicitors and make a compensation claim for the injuries he sustained.

In an out-of-court settlement he was awarded £15,000 in damages.

His personal injury solicitor said, "This is clearly a case of an over-reaction from police officers on someone they may well have worked alongside in their career.

"We are pleased that the police have settled the case, and that [his] integrity and character remain intact."