Security guard sues Essendon Football Club over coward’s punch claim
EXCLUSIVE: ESSENDON Football Club is being sued by a security guard who claims it refused to call police when he was attacked during a brawl at a club event.
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ESSENDON Football Club is being sued by a security guard who claims it refused to call police when he was attacked during a brawl at a club event.
Pasquale Timpano, 45, claims he suffered a traumatic brain injury after being knocked unconscious by a coward punch and repeatedly kicked to the head.
Mr Timpano says he had gone outside to investigate a group of guests about 1.30am on Sunday, November 18, 2012, when a brawl erupted and he was hit on the back of the head.
Mr Timpano claims this blow caused him to fall forward and hit his head on a bollard, which knocked him unconscious.
He claims that while he was lying on the ground, unconscious and unprotected, he was then repeatedly kicked — kicks that inflicted injuries to his head, face, eyes, neck, left leg and ankle.
In a statement of claim, Mr Timpano says he suffered a traumatic brain injury, including profound cognitive impairment and post-traumatic cerebral dysfunction.
As well as brain damage causing memory defects, dizziness and vertigo — due to inner ear damage — Mr Timpano claims he also suffers double vision in both eyes as a result of trauma to the optic nerve, post-traumatic stress disorder, post-traumatic headache, stress and anxiety.
Mr Timpano had been employed by Neverfail Debt Recovery Services as a security guard, to control the crowd at the football club function.
Mr Timpano says that when the brawl broke out, he asked his supervisor, who was an Essendon Football Club employee, to call the police.
“(Mr Timpano) was denied assistance by his supervisor, who refused to call the police once the fight broke out and (Mr Timpano) was being attacked whilst unconscious, and failed to have regard for (Mr Timpano’s) safety,” the writ claims.
Mr Timpano claims Neverfail and Essendon were negligent and breached their duty of care to him by allowing him to remain in danger after he fell unconscious and by failing to call the police, ensure his safety, provide adequate support, or monitor his duties.
The writ alleges that the football club and his employer had exposed Mr Timpano to avoidable risks, in breach of workplace safety laws.
Mr Timpano is seeking compensation for pain and suffering and economic loss.
Essendon declined to comment on the lawsuit.
Neverfail Debt Recovery Services did not respond after being contacted for comment by the Herald Sun.
peter.mickelburough@news.com.au
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