£150,000 injury compensation paid out to Gloucestershire pupils
Posted: 8th July 2013
Posted in: Personal Injury Public Place Accidents School Accidents
It has been recognised that over the last five years, more than £150,000 in personal injury compensation has been paid out to school pupils across Gloucestershire. With the largest payout standing at £18,000, the council has been forced to look into the underlying cause of such payments.
A Freedom of Information request by the BBC discovered that Gloucestershire County Council awarded 29 pupils with payments between 2008 and 2013. One of the recognised claims was for an incident that happened ten years earlier.
The figures taken by the BBC found that £27,000 in personal injury claims was awarded to secondary and primary pupils in 2010/11, £58,700 in 2011/12 and £41,000 in 2012/13. Seven pupils claimed compensation in each of these consecutive academic years, while eight of the pupils were awarded with payments totalling £30,000 in 2008/09 and 2009/10.
Cut both accidents and inappropriate compensation
A council spokesman said that it was working to cut inappropriate payments. However, many believe that instead of attempting to tackle inappropriate compensation, the council should be trying to address the reasoning behind such a high number of injuries at school.
A county council spokesperson said:
“Given that the figures cover a period when we insured around 80,000 pupils in Gloucestershire, the amounts involved are comparatively low.”
“Despite that, we are still working hard with schools to cut both accidents and inappropriate compensation.”
If you have sustained a personal injury, and are looking to claim compensation, please contact us.
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