The start of a new school year ended in over twelve months of pain for one young pupil when a tackle during a game of rugby severely injured his knee. Jack 11, was playing in his second rugby lesson when he was tackled and fell to the ground. He heard a pop in his lower right knee area. Another boy then landed on top of Jack and a second pop was heard. Jack was unable to get up. The pain in his right knee was excruciating. The gap student who was in charge told Jack to sit on the side of the pitch whilst the lesson continued. No first aid was offered or given and no teacher called. When the match ended he was supported by two friends whilst he hobbled back to the changing rooms.

Jack suffered permanent damage to his knee and has had surgery to reconstruct his anterior cruciate ligament, taking hamstring grafts from the same leg plus additional surgery to repair his meniscus.

"It was the pupils second ever rugby lesson, and it is surprising to see that full contact tackling was being encouraged. Especially under gap student supervision" says Catherine Canham Jack's solicitor. "In addition his future prognosis is uncertain and there may be a risk of arthritis in later life as a result of the injury."

"Jacks parents are rightly concerned as to the safety of their child. The injury took place on school premises during school hours when they expected him to be instructed and supervised by appropriate qualified teachers."

Catherine is experienced in running a range of personal injury cases from the man working for a highway company who claims to have contracted Weils disease from rats urine in a caravan provided by his employers to the man who contracted vibration white finger due to the esoteric ways of his employer, a country estate owner. He was provided with a broken ride on mower but his boss preferred him to mow the several acres of formal gardens using an old hand mower as he preferred the finish.

"It is not surprising that he contracted VWF" says Catherine "and as he can no longer carry out his duties, his employer is trying to terminate his employment. This means that he will also lose the flat which came as part of this job. We are pursuing a claim for compensation but our team have also been able to provide him with employment advice."

Catherine has recently moved to the South West from Oxfordshire and spends her free time with her two young daughters enjoying the local beaches and exploring Dartmoor. On the rare quieter moments she likes to relax with a good book.