'Inflammatory' claims cited in appeal of Saskatchewan swimming mishap settlement
The University of Regina is appealing a jury's decision that awarded $9.1 million to a woman who was left a quadriplegic after a swimming accident at the school.
Miranda Biletski awarded $9.1M after university deemed negligent in diving accident that left her quadriplegic
The Canadian Press ·
Miranda Biletski is one of two women on Team Canada, and one of only a handful of women to play wheelchair rugby at the elite level worldwide. (Canadian Paralympic Committee)
Social Sharing
The University of Regina is appealing a jury's decision that awarded $9.1 million to a woman who was left a quadriplegic after a swimming accident at the school.
Miranda Biletski was 16 in June 2005 when she hit the bottom of the university's pool during a dive.
A lawsuit she launched was successful when a jury ruled in October that the U of R was to blame for the mishap.
Lawyers for the university have asked that the decision be overturned, arguing that claims made by Biletski's lawyer and the lawyer for the Piranhas Swim Club played to the jury's sympathies and were inflammatory.
Miranda Biletski has told CBC that the best part of the verdict handed down by the jury on her case is that she could finally say neither she nor the Piranhas Swim Club are responsible for the accident that left her a quadriplegic. (Bonnie Allen/CBC)
During closing arguments, Biletski's lawyer read a series of statements about her life expectancy, her lack of resources and her courage facing her injury, while the club's lawyer made similar remarks.
