Dancer sues over alleged ‘heavy lifting’ injury

A dance student is seeking £500,000 compensation after she was badly injured in class, allegedly because she was made to life a heavier partner.

Charlotte Vanweersch, 26, says she sustained disabling neck and shoulder injuries during a "throwing and lifting" routine at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance. She claims she was not taught to perform the lift safely with a heavier partner; the school says she chose her partner and was given "appropriate instruction".

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The school's lawyers told the court “it is to be expected that there is always a risk of injury associated with physical activity".

"Dance is no exception. An appropriate risk assessment was conducted which recognised this risk.”

Vanweersch’s lawyer said specialists were assessing whether the accident had left her with “chronic regional pain syndrome”. If she does have the condition, her claim could be worth £500,000.