Attraction ordered to pay $4.6 million to quadriplegic for jumping pillow injury

A Canberra man has been awarded $4.6 million in damages after he became a quadriplegic after an accident at a holiday resort in NSW.

Ben Ackland, 26, was a student at the University of New England in 2009 when he went on a mystery bus tour with fellow students to the Green Valley Farm attraction near Inverell in the north-east of the State.

The ACT Supreme Court heard he was using a jumping pillow attraction, where others were doing backflips.

The Court heard that Ackland landed awkwardly after a first attempt and then landed on his head when he tried a second time, leaving him with injuries which led to quadriplegia.

Lawyer Andrew Finlay says the accident has had devastating consequences on Ackland's health and future working life, stating "he has at all times remained stoic and is a positive young man in spite of his significant disability.

"The amount awarded reflects Ben's loss of the future earnings, past and future medical expenses and housing and other care costs he will need to incur for the rest of his life."

Justice John Burns found the park was negligent and liable for the injuries.

He found Green Valley Farm should have prohibited backflips on the jumping pillow and should have had signs near the attraction warning about the manoeuvres.

Justice Burns stated "I'm not persuaded that it would have been obvious to a reasonable person that there was a risk of serious injury in attempting to perform a back-somersault on the jumping pillow.

"The perception of risk of minor harm is not the equivalent of the perception of risk of a serious neck injury."

Justice Burns also found the park should have told Ackland to stop doing somersaults or backflips.

Green Valley Farm logo included for illustrative purposes only.

29th September 2008 - CARAVAN AND CAMPING TOURISM ENJOYS STRONG VISITOR STAYS