SaiFightsMS

KARATE CASE COST ME MY REPUTATION, SAYS INSTRUCTOR February 22, 2002, Friday BYLINE: Cathy Coleman, PA News Press Association A karate instructor told a court today he had lost his "reputation and livelihood" after court action was taken by one of his students who claims a kick left her with brain-damaged. The High Court, sitting in Cardiff, has heard that 26-year-old Kate Stratton was kicked during a class run by Cliff Brown at Barry Leisure Centre, south Wales, in February 1995. The 5ft 2ins tall Miss Stratton, from Rhoose, south Wales, had been sparring with a male member of the class when she was struck in the face. Milwyn Jarman QC, representing Miss Stratton, said that after the incident she developed epilepsy, lost her ability to read, write and remember names and had "left her an invalid for life." Miss Stratton's parents, Vi and John, are suing Cliff Brown for £1 million. He has agreed to pay 45% of the damages without admitting liability, but his representatives say her compensation should not be more than £2,000. Giving evidence today Mr Brown told the court that he had not seen the blow because his attention had been taken by two other pupils in the class. He said that after she was injured he left Miss Stratton with a senior qualified first aider who took her to hospital while he organised the rest of the class. Asked by his QC Andrew Collender QC, what the case him had cost him, he said: "It has cost me my name, my reputation, my livelihood, my relationship and almost my house." At the time Mr Brown had been teaching an average of 60 hours of karate a week but after the incident it went down to four hours. He said that many people did not understand the case and rumours about him had started to circulate so people stopped turning up. Mr Brown told the hearing that now he goes to a karate class that is taken by one of his former pupils.

I came across some news reports in another site. Thought they might provoke some interesting discussion. WOMAN LAUNCHES £1m CLAIM OVER KARATE KICK INJURY Copyright 2002 The Press Association Limited Press Association February 19, 2002, Tuesday BYLINE: Emma Pearson, PA News A 26-year-old woman today began a £1 million compensation claim over a karate kick which left her with brain damage. Kate Stratton, of Rhoose in the Vale of Glamorgan, was a keen member of a karate club at Barry Leisure Centre when she was injured during a class in February 1995. The High Court, sitting in Cardiff, heard that the 5ft 2in tall 19-year-old was sparring with a male member of the class when she received a kick in the face. Milwyn Jarman QC, representing Miss Stratton, said she remembers little of what happened but she was taken to hospital where doctors found she was drowsy, disorientated and had been slipping in and out of consciousness. Initially she could recall her full name but as her condition worsened her memory deteriorated until she could not remember her surname or her brothers' names, losing track of time and place. The court heard that she also developed epilepsy following the kick and lost her ability to read and write. Mr Jarman said: "The karate kick she received at the defendant's class at Barry Leisure Centre has left her an invalid for life." Before the incident, the court heard that Miss Stratton was sporty and bright. She loved football and was a member of the Inter Cardiff Ladies Football Club. A representative of the club described her as "a strong player" who was "very enthusiastic and keen to learn new skills". She was also described to the court as "energetic and full of life". The court heard in 1995 Miss Stratton was on the verge of completing a two-year BTEC qualification in nursery nursing, in which she had already achieved distinction. When the course ended, she was due to go to the United States for a year to attend a college to pursue her interest in football and had also secured a job as a nanny. Mr Jarman said: "She was extremely excited and optimistic about her future." But after the karate kick a witness who had known Miss Stratton for 10 years said in a statement which was read to the court: "Since the accident even the smallest task is too much for her and often leaves her upset." Miss Stratton spent nearly a year in hospital and has lived with her parents ever since. The court heard that she has had to relearn basic skills such as reading and writing, but she still has difficulty with these tasks and still suffers memory loss. Mr Jarman said it was thought she would be unlikely to ever hold down a permanent owing to the level of brain damage she had sustained. Giving evidence, Miss Stratton said: "I wanted to go to America and while I was there play sport and then to come home and open up a nursery afterwards. "It was something I always wanted to do because I enjoyed travel." Seven years on, she is still receiving counselling to help her cope with her life after the incident. Her karate instructor, Cliff Brown, was sued by Miss Stratton's parents Vi and John. He has agreed to pay 45% of the damages without admitting liability, but his representatives say her compensation should not be more than £2,000. Opening the case, Mr Jarman said the accounts of what happened at the karate club differ, but that Mr Brown's official statement claims that his attention was diverted from Miss Stratton's fight by two students behind him. When he turned back the kick had been delivered and Miss Stratton's opponent was trying to hold her still because she wanted to carry on sparring. The court hearing, due to last three days, will determine what level of damages Miss Stratton should receive.

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Why is saying both a chicken answer? For a serious student of the type who schedules their life around karate it has to include both physical and internal aspects. The desire and drive to keep training comes from the inside. And of course the physical side cannot be overlooked. For those who pratice a martial art for fun it may be just a physical act. IMHO the more wrapped up in martial arts a person becomes the more the drive from inside or the internal part comes into play. Wether we are always conscious of it or not.

So it has been a while since this has been up. Any new females out there?

That early in the run would seem to indicate a better warm up is needed. Do you start flat out or allow your body to gradually warm up? You know a slower pace at first then speed up only after thourougly warmed up. Do some calf stretching on the steps on the way out too.

Interesting Jack. And I do have to admit that I keep a jar around too.

Why not have your friend join us so we can tell then congratulations directly?

Welcome from another over 40 . This is a good place to ask questions and learn. Hoping to see many of your posts.

Actually I have had some mcl problems. Only type of support I have used in class was just a basic neoprene sleeve and then only during flare ups. But then I wear kneepads. My knees just don't like the hard floor.

Yes Kickchick we are not young or even physically gifted. I may never do the jump kick at the back of Kanku Dai like everyone else; but I can do an effective center kick followed by the head high kick as a worthy substitute. Of course that doesn't mean I will stop trying to relearn how to jump.

Hello Welcome to the forum,

Pro wrestling a sport :spitlaugh: It does take some skill and training but a real sport :spitlaugh:

Before karate I was in a period where goals had no meaning at all. I just existed. With karate came structure to my life. I planned my life around my training. Our school runs on a quarter system. At the beginning of every quarter I would find myself sitting down and making a list of goals for that quarter. After 20+ years of ms planning physical accomplishments was a very foriegn concept at first. At the end of the quarter I would sit down and evaluate how well I did or didnot do in accomplishing my goals. A big factor in wether or not I met them was always my health. I have to admit I have gotten lax in my goals department. And it is time to get serious again. This thread was kind of like a kick in the seat of the pants for me. Time to get going again.

Kickchick I do enjoy your sense of humor. :spitlaugh:Where do you find this stuff

Size wise I have trained in areas from the size of a racket ball court to a full gymnasium. I think many times the quality of learning is improved by the more personal attention you get in a small room because there are fewer people. The smaller room also has a drawback. We would find ourselves adjusting our stances to fit the space. Or to avoid stepping on each other. All in all I think it is the quality of the instruction that is the most important no matter the size of the school.

Well I am a Gemini. Represented by the twins. As time goes on and I become more interested the martial arts and the internet I become two. I am SaiFightsMS the martial artist. And I am Sshadowsmom. Kind of interesting huh.

Hey Happy Birthday Dreamer It is kind of an odd feeling to turn 40 isn't it? It felt even odder the year my younger brother turned 40

Hi welcome to the forum.

Welcome to the forum. We all have to start sometime. There are many here in your age range. The style or art that is best is the one you are most comfortable doing.

An additional thought came to mind: epsom salts in the bath tub. Make sure you stretch every day. And after class when you get home visit the tub. Epsom salts do make a difference.

Sounds like you have a shot at one of those things you will remember for the rest of your life. Just a word: be carefull about what you drink - in terms of water - watch where it comes from. And be carefull about the meat.

Knowing something is not allways the same as "learning it the hardway". Get well soon Jack.

Congratulations.

Ah the obstacle course. It has been many years since I last ran the one at Ft Jackson. I am sure there have been changes in the last 25+ years though.