Trapeze artist, 53, sues circus after accident prior to big top grand finale
By Ann O'Loughlin
A circus performer who was injured when she was struck on the back by a piece of equipment as she waited for the big top grand finale yesterday sued in the High Court.
Trapeze artist Amanda Bratby says she bent down to put on her finale shoes when she was struck forcefully on the back by a piece of steel tubing which was a prop which is normally used to secure the tight wire.
Ms Bratby said she had completed her trapeze act and was waiting with other performers in an area behind the circus stage for the commencement of the grand finale when the accident happened.
Amanda Bratby (53) who lives at Coolfore Road, Navan Co Meath has sued Fossett Brothers Circus Ltd with offices at The Grange, Lucan, Co Dublin as a result of the accident on October 11 2012.
She claimed there was an alleged failure to ensure a heavy prop was properly secured and an alleged failure to provide a safe place of work.
Ms Justice Bronagh O'Hanlon was told liability was conceded in the case which was before the court for assessment of damages only.
Ms Bratby has claimed she was greatly restricted in her work activities due to stiffness and pain and was unable to achieve an earning capacity equal to her pre accident level and was unable to do her trapeze act as confidently as previously.
Ms Bratby who said she had three days in bed after the accident because of pain said she still suffers back pain and works at a petting farm.
She said she had expected to work as a trapeze artist and also with her ponies in the ring.
"I could have been a circus ring master," she told the court.
She agreed she did nine shows in Holland months after the accident but could only do very basic tricks on the trapeze and could not swing and had worked to a curtailed schedule in 2013.
Put to her by Fibbarr Fox SC for Fossett she earned two and a half times more after the accident than before and how could she stand over her claim that she earned less, Ms Bratby said "I can't , can I?"
Following the cross examination Ms Justice Bronagh O'Hanhlon said she would give a five minutes recess and said another day at hearing would incur further legal costs. The judge said she did not think Ms Bratby understood the argument about her earnings.
After talks between the parties Ms Justice O'Hanlon was told by John Mc Donagh SC for Ms Bratby the case could be struck out.
