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Schools' £600k accident pay outs Schools' £600k accident pay outs
(about 2 hours later)
Accidents at schools in Wales cost more than £600,000 in compensation payments during the last three years, according to a Plaid Cymru survey. Slipping on carrots and breaking up fights cost schools in Wales more than £600,000 in compensation over the last three years, Plaid Cymru figures show.
Plaid AM Chris Franks called for more safety inspections, saying some Welsh councils appeared to be easy targets. Plaid AM Chris Franks used freedom of information requests to gather figures compensation claims following incidents at schools.
But a legal expert has rejected claims a US-style compensation culture is taking hold. Out of the 22 councils Rhondda Cynon Taf paid out the most at £294,072.
Richard Muirhead, of Cardiff Law School, said: "It's not a figure that gives me cause for concern." But a legal expert said the figures appeared to be "an attempt to drum up a moral panic about compensation".
Mr Franks, assembly member for South Wales Central, used freedom of information legislation to obtain figures on compensation claims following incidents at schools in Wales. Mr Franks called for more safety inspections.
He added that some Welsh councils appeared to be easy targets in regards to compensation claims.
Nineteen of the 22 Welsh local authorities supplied answers, which revealed that £294,072 of the the £600,000 total was paid out in Rhondda Cynon Taf, including £41,857 with legal costs on one incident.Nineteen of the 22 Welsh local authorities supplied answers, which revealed that £294,072 of the the £600,000 total was paid out in Rhondda Cynon Taf, including £41,857 with legal costs on one incident.
The reasons for claims varied from slipping on a piece of carrot in a school dining hall to falling in the playground and even breaking up a fight between pupils.
It is strange that some local authorities have incurred minimal costs - others appear to be easy targets Plaid assembly member Chris FranksIt is strange that some local authorities have incurred minimal costs - others appear to be easy targets Plaid assembly member Chris Franks
The reasons for claims varied from slipping on a piece of carrot in a school dining hall to falling in the playground and even breaking up a fight between pupils.
Mr Franks said: "The level of pay-outs in compensation and legal costs is perhaps a reflection of the arrival of no-win, no-fee lawyers.Mr Franks said: "The level of pay-outs in compensation and legal costs is perhaps a reflection of the arrival of no-win, no-fee lawyers.
"In the United States, claiming for compensation is so much part of the culture and that trait has clearly spread to the UK, although I believe people who suffer serious injury, whether in school or elsewhere, because of negligence should be compensated."In the United States, claiming for compensation is so much part of the culture and that trait has clearly spread to the UK, although I believe people who suffer serious injury, whether in school or elsewhere, because of negligence should be compensated.
Reasons for claims included falls in the playground
"In the past many people who suffered minor injuries might have just dusted themselves off and carried on with life. There is a price to pay for every one in terms of higher insurance premiums or perhaps even higher than necessary council tax bills."In the past many people who suffered minor injuries might have just dusted themselves off and carried on with life. There is a price to pay for every one in terms of higher insurance premiums or perhaps even higher than necessary council tax bills.
"I would welcome assurances that all councils have proper inspection procedures. If they keep full records of safety inspections they are able to properly defend questionable claims."I would welcome assurances that all councils have proper inspection procedures. If they keep full records of safety inspections they are able to properly defend questionable claims.
'Moral panic'
"It is strange that some local authorities have incurred minimal costs. Others appear to be easy targets.""It is strange that some local authorities have incurred minimal costs. Others appear to be easy targets."
But a legal expert has rejected claims a US-style compensation culture is taking hold.
Richard Muirhead, of Cardiff Law School, said: "It's not a figure that gives me cause for concern."
With regard to the idea that this is a US-style compensation culture, this is an argument that crops up every time somebody looks at compensation figures Richard Muirhead
However Mr Muirhead, an expert on compensation matters, said he was sceptical about Mr Franks' claim, and described it as "an attempt to drum up a moral panic about compensation".However Mr Muirhead, an expert on compensation matters, said he was sceptical about Mr Franks' claim, and described it as "an attempt to drum up a moral panic about compensation".
Mr Muirhead said: "With regard to the idea that this is a US-style compensation culture, this is an argument that crops up every time somebody looks at compensation figures.Mr Muirhead said: "With regard to the idea that this is a US-style compensation culture, this is an argument that crops up every time somebody looks at compensation figures.
"Generally, across England and Wales, the numbers of compensation claims are not increasing."Generally, across England and Wales, the numbers of compensation claims are not increasing.
"Six hundred thousands pounds over three years may sound like a lot of money but it's not the sort of figure that would give me cause for concern. "£600,000 over three years may sound like a lot of money but it's not the sort of figure that would give me cause for concern.
"It's quite a small figure, it seems to me. It doesn't suggest there have been lots of claims or that people are getting money that they shouldn't get."It's quite a small figure, it seems to me. It doesn't suggest there have been lots of claims or that people are getting money that they shouldn't get.
'Local circumstances'
"Generally claims are being appropriately investigated. It doesn't seem to me that there is a major problem.""Generally claims are being appropriately investigated. It doesn't seem to me that there is a major problem."
A WLGA spokesperson commented: "There are a plethora of reasons why compensations are claimed and paid out by local authorities from accidents in the playground to slips in the school canteen.A WLGA spokesperson commented: "There are a plethora of reasons why compensations are claimed and paid out by local authorities from accidents in the playground to slips in the school canteen.
"However, ultimately, this decision rests with individual local authorities, their insurers and the legal system and is based on local circumstances.""However, ultimately, this decision rests with individual local authorities, their insurers and the legal system and is based on local circumstances."