Paramedic seeks damages over fall

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/7292521.stm

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An elderly couple say they are distressed as an ambulance worker wants to sue them after falling during a call to their Lincolnshire home.

The technician fell over on 82-year-old Joan Boardman's driveway in Louth as he went to fetch a stretcher.

The Boardmans have now received a letter from his solicitors saying he is seeking damages for personal injury.

East Midlands Ambulance Service said the employee is pursuing the matter in his own right.

'Morally wrong'

Neither the technician or his solicitors were available for comment but the solicitor's letter to the couple said the paramedic fell when the couple's security light flickered out.

Paramedics were called when Mrs Boardman, who suffers heart problems, suddenly became ill last year.

Jim Boardman said his wife has been very stressed since receiving the letter.

"I think it's morally wrong," he said.

"There are other side issues to be considered... people could be reluctant to call the public services and it brings into disrepute an organisation which I've got the greatest admiration for," he said.

Carol Brown from Unison said: "I can't comment on this specific case because I don't know if this worker is one of our members but if our members are injured during work then of course the union would support them.

"I can understand people finding it hard to believe but of course if someone is injured during work then somebody has got to take liability."

The Boardmans say they are now reluctant to call the emergency services.