A teacher who was injured when she was assaulted by a pupil at a school for children with learning and behavioural difficulties has been awarded substantial compensation.
Sharon Lewis was 26 when she was jumped on by a 13-year-old boy with a history of violent behaviour. He put her in a headlock and ignored her shouts for him to get off. Eventually, Miss Lewis fell to the ground, hitting the window and wall as she did so.
The assault caused compression of Miss Lewis’s spinal cord and damaged nerves in her shoulder. As a result, she suffers with constant pain in both her neck and back, which makes day-to-day activities difficult.
Miss Lewis also suffered post traumatic stress disorder as a result of the attack. She experiences flashbacks to the assault and finds it difficult to concentrate. Five years after the incident took place, she has been told that it is unlikely that she will be able to work full-time again.
A claim for compensation was made to the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority, which pays damages to the innocent victims of violent crimes. Miss Lewis was awarded £280,000, believed to be one of the highest payouts in a case of this nature.
Teacher Assaulted by Pupil Wins £280,000
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