Teen sues after playground accident 'left her unable to make friends'

A teenager is suing a council for £100,000 after claiming an accident in her school playground 11 years ago left her with a personality disorder which means she is unable to make friends. Natasha Caley-Winborne was just six years-old when she hit her head after tripping on an allegedly uneven grass bank at St Peters Primary School in the village of Ardingly, East Sussex. Now a 17 year-old college student, she claimed the incident had left her with a catalog of health problems including violent mood swings, severe headaches, post traumatic amnesia and difficulty forming friendships.

Natasha, who had to regularly attend clinics at Great Ormond Street Hospital in London, has issued a writ against West Sussex County Council, who run the school. The writ, signed by her mother Jane, alleges that since the accident in September 1999 Natasha has developed a personality disorder requiring specialist treatment. It states: "Natasha has continued to suffer from frequent severe headaches and dizziness. Her headaches have resulted in her missing days at school and have affected her education. She has also suffered from mood swings and behavioral problems, including sudden loss of temper and violence.

“She is irritable and intolerant and over-sensitive in her reactions to her peer group. She suffered from low self confidence and has difficulty forming friendships.” Natasha was playing with friends when one of her feet allegedly got caught in a hole causing her to fall and bang her head on the adjacent concrete playground. She was taken to hospital two days later where doctors diagnosed her with whiplash and concussion and has since undergone acupuncture, cranial osteopathy and attended special headache clinics and mental health groups.

The writ, seeking damages of £50,000 to £100,000 for pain and injury, loss and damage, states that up to the end of the 1999 summer term there were three or four holes in the surface of the grass bank. Neurological lawyers Osborne Morris and Morgan, who have taken up Caleys case, claim the accident was caused by the negligence and/or breach of statutory duty the council. A spokesman for the council said: "Proceedings have been issued seeking damages for alleged personal injury and loss. The claim is being defended and will follow the due court process."