Teacher sues over crushed thumb

The court heard that Miss McLeod was on a hen night

A home economics teacher is suing a nightclub and security firm for £30,000 after claiming her thumb was broken by a swinging door at a nightclub.

Susan McLeod, 27, of Invergordon, claims her work and home life have been affected by the alleged incident during a hen night in Inverness in July 2003.

She is suing Eildon Ltd, operators of Bakoo Nightclub, and Inverness-based Pub and Club Security Services.

The civil case, at Inverness Sheriff Court, continues.

The court heard the home economics teacher at Alness Academy was at a hen party for a close friend at the time of the accident.

The handle squashed my thumb against the wall Susan McLeod

Miss McLeod said she was going to the toilets through a set of doors when a bouncer came towards her.

She said: "He was holding a guy and was obviously trying to throw him out of the club. They were struggling.

"I immediately moved out of the way. This caused me to be up against the wall.

"The door was flung open by the bouncer. The handle squashed my thumb against the wall."

She went back to the hen party and one member of the group, a nurse, advised her to go to hospital.

'Quite hindered'

The teacher discovered her thumb was broken. It was placed in a splint, before being put in plaster for six weeks.

Miss McLeod said she needed her mother's help to dress and eat and was unable to drive.

She added: "At my work it was quite hindering. Being a home economics teacher I use my hands quite a lot."

The teacher said the injury still caused her problems.