Vic: Fan wins claim after man falls on her from corporate box

AAP General News (Australia)
08-31-2000
Vic: Fan wins claim after man falls on her from corporate box

MELBOURNE, Aug 31 AAP - An Essendon fan who was injured when a man fell on her from
a corporate box reached a confidential settlement with the Melbourne Cricket Club (MCC)
today.

Lawyer Rod Matthews said his client was sitting near the corporate boxes during an
Essendon-Collingwood game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Anzac Day last year.

A man, who later denied he was drunk, fell from the window of the box onto the woman
as she sat in her usual place.

"How he fell out is a bit of a mystery," Mr Matthews told AAP.

The middle-aged woman was injured in the neck, shoulder and nose and needed several
visits to her local doctor as well as medication and physiotherapy, he said.

The woman had complained on previous occasions about obscene language and rowdy behaviour
in the boxes.

"It appears to me these boxes are used for a big drink rather than to watch the football,"

Mr Matthews said.

He said the MCC strictly supervised drinking in the outer "but they seem to allow a
free-for-all in these corporate boxes".

"The inference that we drew is that the MCC, as an alcohol provider, has a responsibility
similar to hotels," he said.

He said the compensation claim was settled with the MCC before it reached court.

The company which owned the box would also probably contribute to the amount which
was "not substantial but fair", Mr Matthews said.

AAP nl/jd/gmw/de

KEYWORD: MCC

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