Compensation claim news
30/06/2010

£9 million a year in teacher payouts

Nearly £9million was paid out to teachers in compensation claims last year following thousands of personal injury claims for incidents which happened on school premises.

In 2009, a special needs teacher was jumped on by a pupil, resulting in the compression of her spinal cord and nerve damage in her shoulder. The 31-year-old also suffered post traumatic stress disorder following the assault and is unlikely to be able to return to her teaching post.

According to national statistics, the number of claims made by teachers is on the rise and includes claims for slips, trips and falls.

One teacher who sustained a wrist injury following a door being banged shut received £40,000 in compensation. Another teacher successfully claimed for a shoulder injury suffered whilst trying to break up a fight between two pupils.

Compensation claims for teachers have been increasing for the last two years and are likely to rise further if schools do not take the responsibility to ensure the health and safety of their employees.