A Canberra man who became a quadriplegic after attempting a back-flip at an amusement park, landing on his head, has been awarded $4.6 million in damages.
Ben Ackland, 26, suffered a severe spinal injury on October 10, 2009 when he and fellow university students attended an amusement park called Green Valley Farm near Tingha in northern NSW.
While using a large air-filled "pillow" Mr Ackland twice attempted a backwards somersault and on the second occasion landed awkwardly, the ACT Supreme Court was told.
"The accident has had devastating consequences both for Ben's health and his future working life," lawyer Andrew Finlay said following Friday's awarding of compensation.
Part way through an arts/law degree at the time of the accident, Mr Ackland's damages reflect loss of future earnings, his medical expenses, housing and other care costs, Mr Finlay said.
Justice John Burns found the operators of the fun park breached their duty of care to Mr Ackland and had been aware acts such as somersaults should not be allowed on the air pillow because of the risk of injury.
In their defence, the operators claimed the group of which Mr Ackland was a part had been misbehaving and a loudspeaker announcement requested they stay off equipment.
The compensation announcement follows a two-week trial of the defendants in 2013.
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