Leon Sheeran, who unsuccessfully sued Masterton District Council for $2.4 million over a 2019 playground injury, has been ordered to pay about $20,000 towards the council’s legal costs.
Sheeran claimed a swing chain snap caused lasting injury affecting his work, sleep, and mental health, but his case was dismissed as the ACC Act bars personal injury lawsuits.
Despite warnings from the court and council lawyers that his claim was invalid, he persisted, contributing unnecessarily to the case’s time and cost, according to state-funded media.
Judge Andrew Skelton declined Sheeran’s bid to delay payment pending appeal, saying the council and ratepayers had already borne costs since 2023.
Image credit: Gabriel Dalton
