Lancashire schools facing £1.2m personal injury bill
Published: 08/11/2012
In the last six years, schools throughout Lancashire have paid out £1.2m in compensation to pupils who have been injured in an accident at school.
Last year slips, trips and falls cost Lancashire schools £360,000; this year the total currently stands at £258,000. This is up from £42,250 in 2006, once again sparking criticism of the personal injury industry and the so called “compensation culture”.
George Adam is the Pendle County Councillor:
“I am flabbergasted that it has gone up so much. It is a big concern. It has spiralled so much in six years and this money is probably coming off the school’s budget.”
While the councillor’s reaction is understandable, it is essential children are schooled in a safe environment. Should the school fail to provide this, the injured party has a right to compensation.
Example of personal injury cases and the compensation received
| Accident | Compensation received |
| Pupil caught hand in drilling machine during technology lesson, resulting in dismemberment of right little finger | £26,500 |
| Pupil injured teeth as a result of tripping over floor covering | £14,868 |
| Pupil sustained two fractures of the arm during a trampolining lesson | £11,414 |
| Pupil sustained two broken toes when table tennis collapsed on to their foot | £6,625 |
| Pupil caught leg in protruding nail and sustained severe laceration to the leg | £5,850 |
| Pupil pricked thumb on a needle in school grounds and had to undergo a series of screening tests | £2,500 |
| A stack of tables fell on to the pupil’s foot, resulting in injury | £2,250 |
Content correct at time of publication