A MAN left crippled after jumping from a hospital roof has won almost £200,000 compensation.
The man, an in-patient at the time, was allowed to leave the psychiatric unit of South Tyneside General Hospital three times.
On the third occasion he got on to the roof of a single-storey operating theatre and leapt off.
He landed on concrete, receiving a head injury and fractured spine.
The man, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was left paraplegic and with a weakened arm after the fall in May 1991.
Yesterday, the man, in his forties, was awarded £190,000 at the High Court in Newcastle after suing South Tyneside Health Authority for negligence. He claimed he should not have been able to leave the psychiatric ward. The health authority admitted 85 per cent liability and agreed the £190,0000 settlement.
The court heard the money would be used to improve the man's quality of life, allowing him to go on holiday with the assistance of his companion
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article