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Schools' £600k compensation bill Schools' £600k compensation bill
(about 2 hours later)
Compensation after such incidents as slipping on carrots and breaking up fights cost schools in Wales more than £600,000 in the past three years.Compensation after such incidents as slipping on carrots and breaking up fights cost schools in Wales more than £600,000 in the past three years.
Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks used freedom of information requests to gather figures for compensation claims following incidents at schools.Plaid Cymru AM Chris Franks used freedom of information requests to gather figures for compensation claims following incidents at schools.
Out of the 22 councils, Rhondda Cynon Taf paid out the most at £294,072.Out of the 22 councils, Rhondda Cynon Taf paid out the most at £294,072.
But a legal expert said the figures appeared to be "an attempt to drum up a moral panic about compensation".But a legal expert said the figures appeared to be "an attempt to drum up a moral panic about compensation".
Mr Franks called for more safety inspections, and said some councils appeared to be easy targets for compensation claims.Mr Franks called for more safety inspections, and said some councils appeared to be easy targets for 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. It is strange that some local authorities have incurred minimal costs - others appear to be easy targets Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru AMNineteen 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. It is strange that some local authorities have incurred minimal costs - others appear to be easy targets Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru AM
The reasons for claims varied from slipping on a piece of carrot in a school dining hall to falling in the playground and breaking up a fight between pupils.The reasons for claims varied from slipping on a piece of carrot in a school dining hall to falling in the playground and 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.Reasons for claims included falls in the playground"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.
"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 rejected claims that a US-style compensation culture was taking hold.But a legal expert rejected claims that a US-style compensation culture was 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 Richard Moorhead, 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 Moorhead
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 Moorhead, 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 Moorhead 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.
"£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."£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.
"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."
The Welsh Local Government Association spokesperson said: "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.The Welsh Local Government Association spokesperson said: "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."