Radio DJ Wins Damages for Surprise Rugby Tackle

A former BBC Radio Leeds DJ has won compensation for injuries he sustained during a charity stunt.

Alex Belfield, 31, was doing a live broadcast in support of Children in Need when he was unexpectedly tackled by two Bradford Bulls rugby league players. He claimed that he was not given advance warning of the stunt and he suffered cuts and bruises in the fall. He also said that no account had been taken of the fact that he was carrying radio equipment and a microphone at the time. His hands were bleeding when he got up, and he later developed back pain.

Mr Belfield also claimed that he had made it clear to his employer that he was not willing to take part in anything involving ‘nudity, sport or pain’. As a result of the incident, he left his job at the radio station and brought a personal injury claim against his former employer, claiming that it had failed in its duty of care towards him. The claim was settled out of court for an estimated £2,500.

All employers have a duty to look after, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare of their workers, which includes making sure they are not put into unsafe situations. This case illustrates that employers and managers must pay heed to health and safety issues whatever the circumstances. A worker who is injured in a stunt that is potentially dangerous will have a high probability of making a successful claim against his or her employer if the associated risks are ignored.