Thousands paid to Scottish teachers in accident compensation

Posted: December 30, 2015

Posted in: Criminal Injury and Assault Head and Brain Injuries School Accidents Workplace Injuries Workplace Slip 

An annual report has revealed that a total of £180,000 was paid out to Scottish teachers and lecturers in 2013/14 in compensation. This figure has shown a dramatic decrease on the previous year, where a total of £300,000 was paid out. The report highlighted the highest payment, which saw a teacher being awarded £50,000 after suffering severe injuries from falling and hitting their head on ice in the school playground. Another teacher won over £3,000 after accidentally being hit in the face with a musical instrument.

Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) general secretary, Larry Flanagan, said that the decline in compensation was promising. He said: “The reduction is positive because it highlights the fact there have been fewer very serious injuries to teachers and lecturers at work over the past year.” However, he did point out that part of the decrease was down to changes within the claim system, which now has far tougher restrictions.

“completely avoidable”

Where some of the largest payouts go to teachers who have been the victims of assault, the EIS found that the most frequent cause of injury amongst teaching staff was in fact slips, trips and falls. Mr Flanagan said that accidents of this type are “completely avoidable” and show that schools could still be doing more to protect staff and teachers from injury. Douglas Chapman, education spokesman for Cosla, said:

“Serious incidents are rare, but parents and teachers should be assured that authorities and schools have in place policies to deal with situations that may arise.”

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