City will compensate 14-year-old paralysed in fall

Girl’s father says that the family is ready to “start living again”

Frida Jersø, the 14-year-old girl who was paralysed from the waist down after a fall from Dronning Louise’s Bridge in Nørrebro, will receive compensation from the city of Copenhagen.

The payment reverses an earlier decision by the city’s lawyers not to compensate Jersø and her 14-year-old friend, Felicity, for the fall that occurred while they were leaning on a bridge railing when it suddenly gave way. Jersø was paralysed in the fall and Felicity suffered a number of serious injuries, including a concussion.

The deputy mayor for technical and environmental affairs, Ayfer Baykal (Socialistisk Folkeparti), said that the ruling by independent council clears the way for both girls to receive some help from the city.

“The girls were injured in the same accident, so both should be paid damages,“ said Baykal.

The city initially refused to pay, saying that it was not at fault because the bridge had passed regular inspections, but after a recent report by the Copenhagen Police absolved both the city and the two girls of any fault in the accident, the way was cleared for an independent council to review the case.

There had been broad support in city hall to compensate the girl and her family. Mayor Frank Jensen (Socialdemokraterne) released a statement asking for a quick resolution to the case.

"As mayor, I simply do not accept that a 14-year-old girl and her family should have to wait so long," Jensen told Ekstra Bladet. “I appeal to everyone involved to resolve this matter.”

Frida’s father, Tom Jersø, said he is glad the issue is finally settled.

“It is wonderful," Jersø told ekstrabladet.dk. “We can start living again.”

The amount of damages the girls will receive has not been released.

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