COUNTYWIDE:School injury claims hit county council

A secondary school child who was hurt on a trip received £40,000 in damages, the highest amount paid out by Derbyshire County Council in the last three years.

Other pupils received cash for a range of injuries including falling and using faulty equipment.

Data obtained following a Freedom of Information request, show claims totalling over £400,000 have been paid out since 2010.

A student aged between 12 and 16 who was struck by an object received £23,710 and another teenager was paid £25,000 after being bullied.

A primary pupil received £7,587 following a slip in the classroom and a child, aged between five and 11, sustained a burn and on that occasion the claim totalled £2,100.

The smallest amount, £750, was paid to a secondary school pupil who was struck by an object.

The highest staff payout was to an employee injured by a ‘premise defect’.

They received £30,000.

Another staff member injured by ‘lifting and handling’ was paid £13,000 and over £60,000 was paid out to 11 employees injured due to slipping.

Compensation was also paid out to workers who suffered abuse or assaults.

The smallest amount, £1,200, was paid to a member of staff who used defective equipment.

Details of the schools where the incidents happened, the sex of the people involved and exact ages were not released by the council.

A spokeswoman for the council said they could not go into details about specific cases but claims are decided on the amount of pain, suffering and loss caused.

She added: “Damages are payable only in the event that a breach of either common law or statutory duty can be established on the balance of probabilities.

“Any consent form signed by parents/carers provides permission for the child to participate in the trip/activity. Legally it is not permissible to limit liability for personal injury in this way.”

Compensation is usually paid from the council’s insurance and risk fund.

What YOU said about the revelations..

Emily Barrie said: “More blame to claim ... Sometimes it’s JUST an accident!”

Ian Hewitt added: “Nanny state once again! So let’s guess what these claims will teach the kids involved, oh yes, you can get owt for nowt, nothing is ever your fault, you don’t have to take any responsibility for your own actions and another one heads for the benefit office knowing their workless life will be paid for by the mugs!”

Dave Longden said: “Even the smallest accident can be made to be someone else’s fault. Easy money for some folk.”

Laura Anne Batterham added: “Bullying? Paying out compo for bullying won’t stop the problem now, will it? Like Ian says it’s a nanny state yet again... People are too quick to claim and not take stock and use common sense!”

Peter Pop Wilson said: “In my day it was known as character building.”

Cathy Freeman added: “The world has gone mad!”

Chris Mallory said: “I was forced to drink warm school milk. I think I might claim for post-traumatic stress. What a farce.”