Pupils file 114 compensation claims against council
A number of accidents in which children were injured in schools have triggered off at least 114
compensation claims against Lancashire County Council in the last five years.
A report said education bosses in Lancashire are now struggling to handle what is considered compensation claims drive among youngsters.
Many of the injuries were sustained after pupil slipped or fell in the schoolyard, had their fingers trapped or hit by swinging doors amongst others.
And a total of 24 claims were successful resulting in the County Hall making payouts of £105,596 in compensation.
It was also found that much more had been paid out in legal fees to “ambulance chasing” lawyers.
According to the Evening Post, which cited headteachers, pupils suffering injuries during a football match, staff walking into doors and youngsters scraping their knees in the school playground have all resulted in claims being made.
The report added that fractures sustained from falling off school walls or injuries after slipping in canteens have also ended in claims.
But an MP has argued the startling figures show that many of the claims are spurious, with little or no evidence to back them up.
Updated on 21/11/2008