A Vincentian whose Royal Navy career ended after she was injured aboard one of their ships has won a lawsuit in which she claimed 500,000 pounds in compensation.
The former sailor, Joleen Williams, 39, told iWitness News that her experience since her injury and during the legal battle was “atrocious, considering firstly, that they recruited a fellow Vincentian (still serving in the Navy) to falsify a witness statement against me.
“The legal process was long and expensive but I’m glad that my solicitors believed me and fought to get this matter seen through.”
Williams said that she cannot begin to speak about her grief and loss, especially concerning her “fitness and deteriorating health due to pain, injuries, medication”.
She spoke about her multiple appointments and hospital admissions and the effect on her mental health, relationships, personality changes, and, among other things, her ability to work full-time without issues.
Williams said she has to make lifestyle changes and daily challenges, including considering whether the symptoms will affect her more than the medications will ease.
“The outcome isn’t a cure but it is some justice to an extent,” she told iWitness News.
According to Mail Online, Williams sustained a spinal injury while having dinner at the captain’s table when the frigate HMS St Albans made an unplanned turn while sailing off the south coast of England in October 2014.
She was thrown backwards as the ship turned, striking her spine on a key protruding from a filing cabinet, with commanding officer Catherine Jordan’s heavy wooden table pinning her against it.
The sailor was subsequently medically discharged from the Navy due to back problems in December 2017 and sued the Ministry of Defence for about 500,000 pounds in compensation.
The Central London County Court, Judge Richard Roberts has ruled in her favour. The exact amount in compensation which Williams will receive will be decided at a later court hearing, if not agreed with the MoD outside court.
You see how we don’t love we. Your own country man falsifying statement against you. Let’s hope she never suffer a similar fate.
KARMA is REAL.
Badminded vincy ppl thats y when im in other countries n i see dem i does hide all the time!!