Award for attempted suicide

[Scylax]

Reported today, the case of a young fellow in a
Young Offender's Institute, who attempted suicide, but was saved by the action of prison officers. He sued,
and was awarded �560,000. What is the rationale ?

A can of worms (or vipers) seems to have been
opened, to the detriment of the taxpayer. Comments ?

[mrs_overall]

There is no rationale. The world is going mad.

[Gmcd01]

Could you provide a link to a report at all, or provide a name so I might search please? Sounds intriguing...

[seatrout]

It doesnt surprise me. We now live in a country where everyone is encouraged to claim compensation for anyhting that happens to them. The prison officers will no doubt claim for the stress of having to save him.

There is a simple solution to the excesses of civil litigation - make each side responsible for their own legal costs. Ambulance chasing lawyers would not encourage people to claim under "no win no fee " agreements and claimants would think long and hard before risking their own money on a case. As it stands I can get a lawyer to take on a case for me with no risk attached - its madness

[dantheman123]

I think the lad got the award not for the suicide attempt but the conditions that lead up to the attempt. Probably bullying and the like.

[Barmaid]

I don't necessarily see the problem as the no win no fee types of agreements - unless it is underwritten by an insurance policy a claimant will still have to pay the other side's costs if they lose. The problem is public funding which seems increasingly to be given in the most utterley outrageous situations when truly deserving people who are really hard up and desperately need legal help can't get it.

[getpooh]

With reply to seatrout's answer I am a serving Prison Officer. I have had to cut down four prisoners, two of which were dead, and the others we saved. This is one of the most disturbing situations you can possibly imagine. However I have never sued for stress or anything else for that matter and I deal with medical incidents nearly every day.

[Law Man1856]

I work in the custody suite and have to be constantly alert to the actions of prisioners. I have been commended on a number of occasions for my actions in preventing self harm and suicide attempts.

I have never claimed stress or financial reward for any of my actions, if as stated the prisioner was being abused then he is quite rightly due compensation.

Everyone makes mistakes and I have witnessed the distress criminal investigations can cause family members and victims.

The routine checking of detaining people in cells is extremely important as some prisioners can have extreme reactions which we have to deal with.

The support offered by the services is extremely helpful but occasionally tragic incidents happen.

I am extremely proud of the officers involved in this case and similar cases where life is saved.

Lets be thankful that this young lad is alive and able to receive his compensation.

[Scylax]

Gmcd01 (below); this was a report in the 'Daily
Telegraph' dated Fri.12 Jan. '07, with a by-line
of Paul Stokes.
www.telegraph.co.uk/news
in the news section, p.9.

[Gmcd01]

Thankyou, let's have a goose at it...