Declan Swan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Declan Swan is the fictitious name of the little boy from one of a series of Claims Direct adverts airing on UK television circa 2000. Declan was hurt in a playground accident. His mother used Claims Direct, a now-defunct company specialising in personal injury litigation, to sue for compensation.
Though the advertisement was based on real events ("Declan Swan" was the fictitious name of a real child who was injured by a larger boy who hit him in the eye with a swing) it was widely lampooned as an example of someone claiming financial compensation for a trivial event. The advert repeatedly mentioned that poor Declan now had to wear 'Glasses for life'. His mother famously 'wanted something done', and was happy when Claims Direct 'put together a team'.
Dislike for the character and the perceived greed and "ambulance chasing" of his mother led to a short period of fame — or infamy — for the fictitious Declan.
Obscure indie band 'The Buzzer Band' released an EP of covers based on this incident in 2001 including songs such as 'Declan Swan' (A cover of Blur's 'Tracey Jacks') and 'Glasses for Life' (A cover of Manic Street Preachers 'Design for life').
