Moosehead Sue

An American student is suing her university for negligence after a mounted moose head fell on her from a wall during a biology exam. Amy Walters was peering through a microscope when the stuffed trophy fell, hitting the side of her head.

She says she has suffered from headaches ever since, and is suing for "loss of enjoyment of life" and "embarrassment and humiliation".

Pennsylvania State University has not yet commented on the case.

The accident happened at the university's biology laboratory at the Fayette campus during an exam in February 2005. Ms Walters' complaint said there were "several wild game heads displayed on the walls about the room".

The "moose head with antlers" fell from the wall, knocking Ms Walters into a chair, whereupon the hunting relic landed in her lap, it said. The impact "caused immediate pain in her head and caused Ms Walters to see spots", it said, although "after taking a moment, she was able to complete the exam".

Nevertheless, a few hours later she felt sick and reported to the university's medical facility. She said she has continued to suffer from severe headaches since the day of the accident, and wants a jury trial to award damages.

She is alleging that the "defendants were careless, reckless and negligent in failing to ensure the moose head was properly affixed to the wall".