Injury claim news

Council could pay out thousands for compensation claims

It has been revealed that Cambridge City Council could face paying out thousands of pounds for numerous compensation claims which have been made by members of the public suffering from personal injuries.

Compensation details, which were released through the Freedom of Information Act, detailed a number of injury claims that had been made during 2005 and 2006.

Among the many cases included a person who suffered hand injuries caused by a light bulb in Cherry Hinton Hall, a music enthusiast who slipped at the Cambridge Folk Festival and a bin man who claimed he sustained a back injury whilst moving a wheelie bin.

If the council is proved liable for the accident claims made in 2005, they could face paying out £76,500 in damages and possibly pay even more for claims in 2006, which total £124,000.

Ian Nimmo-Smith, leader of the city council, said, "These figures relate to the city council's public liability, which covers buildings and facilities run by the council, including parks, open spaces and paths on housing estates.

"We have a city with a population of 120,000, many acres or parks and open spaces, public buildings and footpaths.

"We always try to ensure we minimise the risk to the public, but we have a public liability insurer who will investigate any claims, looking at medical evidence and so on, to decide when compensation should be paid."

A number of compensation claims brought against the council by people who have instructed personal injuries solicitors are still being processed and could potentially cost the council thousands of pounds in damages.