A woman who sustained brain damage after falling off a pier says she can’t “show her face” after a judge dismissed her claims, labelling her as dishonest
Kirsty Williams-Henry, 33, fell from Aberavon Pier in July 2018, suffering skull and bone fractures and a brain injury that left her in intensive care for eight days.
In 2021, she sued Associated British Port Holdings Ltd (ABP), the pier’s owner, seeking £2.3 million in damages. The company argued her claim lacked honesty.
The judge concurred, stating he would have awarded Kirsty nearly £600,000 for “genuine” injuries but dismissed her claim due to dishonesty. He acknowledged her moderately severe brain injury from the fall but called her a “regular liar.”
Kirsty, from Port Talbot and a former senior technical business analyst, feels she has become a shell of her former self.
Speaking publicly, she said, “It feels like I’m a criminal. I can’t show my face. I’m embarrassed and depicted as the bad guy. Integrity means everything to me. I promise we haven’t lied or exaggerated.”
“They portray me as a council estate girl chasing compensation. All I wanted was a year of rehab. Though I look normal, I fight daily.”
“I died on that pier. Since then, I live with who I was before the accident. What I am now doesn’t compare. Being accused of lying is horrific.”
The judge noted Kirsty had been drinking when she visited the pier with her family to see bioluminescent plankton. She fell four to five metres onto rocks and sand, with no safety barriers present.
In 2021, she sued ABP for £2.3 million, with liability settled two-thirds in her favour. The company argued she was only entitled to around £370,000 and claimed she was being dishonest by exaggerated her condition.
A trial held earlier this year saw Kirsty testify about inadequate rehabilitation post-incident. However, High Court judge Mr Justice Ritchie labelled her “dishonest and manipulative” in a 99-page ruling. He cited “substantial exaggerations and some lies,” including falsehoods on insurance and benefit forms.
Kirsty disputes this, stating she provided WhatsApp and social media accounts for the hearing, asserting she had “nothing to hide.”
She added, “I had one drink hours earlier and wasn’t tested for alcohol at the accident. I’m missing my entire frontal lobe. I may sound intelligent, but my problems are debilitating and invisible. I’m a shell of who I was.”
“I feel like a giant toddler. Simple tasks like getting up, dressing, brushing my teeth, and feeding the dogs are struggles. I need reminders for everything because my short-term memory is ruined. Without a rehab team, I won’t improve, but now they’ve branded me a liar, I can’t access that.”
An ABP spokesperson said, “While we regret the situation escalated, we welcome the judge’s clear ruling. The judgement speaks for itself, and we won’t comment further.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened to Kirsty Williams-Henry?
Kirsty fell off Aberavon pier in 2018, suffering skull fractures and a brain injury.
Why was Kirsty’s claim dismissed?
The judge dismissed her claim, stating she was dishonest and manipulative.
How much did Kirsty sue for?
Kirsty sued for £2.3 million in damages.
What were the judge’s findings about her injuries?
The judge found her injuries genuine but dismissed the claim due to dishonesty.
What did Kirsty say about her current condition?
Kirsty says she struggles with daily tasks and feels like a shell of her former self.