Marine Awarded Over $200K In Damages 10 Years After Falling Gate Caused Serious Neck Injury

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A marine was awarded over $200,000 in damages after a gate at the Thomas A. Robinson Stadium fell on her over a decade ago, leaving her with a serious neck injury.

Chief Justice Sir Ian Winder ruled in favour of leading woman Marine Tamica Burrows, finding that negligence by the National Sports Authority and the Royal Bahamas Defence Force contributed to the incident.

On June 19, 2016 at around 6:25 pm, Burrows and another marine were instructed to complete a compound check and secure all access points.

While carrying out those instructions, a heavy sliding gate, about nine feet high and 15 to 20 feet wide, came off its track and fell on Burrows, pinning her to the ground.

She remained trapped until three people lifted the gate off her.

Justice Winder said the NSA had a duty to make the premises reasonably safe for lawful users, while the RBDF continued to require marines to use the gate despite knowing about its recurrent defect.

He rejected arguments that burrows was negligent by attempting to close the gate by herself and by failing to report its defect.