Facial injury cadet sues the MoD

Clair Huntington claims sergeants should have been more careful

An Army cadet who claims she was left scarred for life by an accident during a training exercise is suing the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Claire Huntington, 22, from Shetland, wants £20,000 compensation after a rock broke free during a climbing activity and hit her face.

Ms Huntington believes the incident at the rockface near Blair Atholl should have been foreseen by military chiefs.

The MoD has said the cadet was at least partly to blame for her own misfortune.

Ms Huntington has been given the go-ahead to pursue her case and evidence is expected to be heard later this year at Perth Sheriff Court.

The cadet said her superiors should have checked the rockface for loose stones and should have moved waiting cadets away from the foot of the climb.

She had a duty to stand clear of any area where she might be struck by falling rocks Ministry of Defence

She said she instinctively looked up when a warning was shouted from above and was struck by a rock which had fallen 30ft.

Ms Huntington was airlifted to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee and needed stitches to a six centimetre cut across her cheek.

Her action also alleges that the accident left her suffering "mood swings" and a "loss of confidence".

Part of her claim is for £62.99 for the top and jacket paramedics cut from her at the scene.

Her writ states: "It was their [the senior officers in charge] duty to see to it that cadets were not gathered at the foot of the rockface while it was reasonably foreseeable that they would be at risk from falling rocks.

"It was their duty to take reasonable care to survey the rockface for loose rocks. It would have been reasonable to have taken steps to move the cadets back a safe distance whilst persons were climbing.

"It was reasonably foreseeable that if such measures were not undertaken an accident of the type which did occur, would occur.

"In their duties the defenders failed, and by their failure caused the accident. Had they fulfilled the duties incumbent upon them the accident would not have occurred."

The MoD's response states: "The accident was caused, or at least materially contributed to, by the pursuer.

"She had a duty to take care of her own safety during the training.

"She had a duty to stand clear of any area where she might be struck by falling rocks."