A TALENTED golfer who now struggles to play nine holes on his weekly outings is suing his parents for thousands of pounds in damages.
Blair Paterson fell from a ladder while working in the family sweet-making firm, Tilly Confectionery Ltd.
His ankle was badly damaged when he fell eight feet. His foot went through a ladder rung, resulting in him twisting his foot and breaking shin bones.
Mr Paterson, of Tillicoultry, Clackmannanshire, raised a civil action in the Court of Session in Edinburgh against the Tillicoutry-based firm and his parents Peter and Elisabeth Paterson, demanding almost £350,000.
Judge Lord Woolman said yesterday he was considering damages but a further court hearing is to be fixed to finalise the sum.
The court heard that before the accident, in June 2008, Mr Paterson, 28, played badminton and squash as well as his principal sport of golf.
"From an early age he showed considerable aptitude for the game becoming a member of the Scotland Boys Golf Coaching Squad," noted Lord Woolman. "He competed in national and international events from the age of 16."
He studied sports science at Stirling University and captained the golf team that won the British Universities stroke play championship in 2005. However, he gave up plans to become a golf professional, switched to a business degree and joined the family firm.
The court heard Mr Paterson hoped to use his golfing skills to help the sweet firm expand as he played with business contacts and said the course gave him an opportunity "to bend ears.".
The court heard how, since the accident, Mr Paterson now walks with a limp and after an hour or so the pain in his ankle can be "horrendous".
Lord Woolman said: "He does play golf once a week because he is determined not to give up the game. But he finds it a struggle.
"After nine holes his ankle begins to be very painful."
Both sides agreed damages should be awarded but reduced by one-quarter because Mr Paterson was partly to blame.
After coming to a figure of £107,000, Lord Woolman ordered a further hearing to make final calculations about interest due and the amount to be deducted for contributory negligence.
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