A new study has revealed that Scottish teachers and lecturers received almost £300,000 in compensation following accidents in the workplace that resulted in serious injury.
The compensation reported in the figures only covers the amount recovered by the Educational Institute of Scotland (EIS) and does not cover private litigation. However, the figures highlight the dangers and potential injuries that can arise in areas of employment that are considered to be safe.
One teacher was awarded £150,000 after a slip in the staff car park on black ice which resulted in a broken pelvis. There was no warning that the conditions were dangerous underfoot, and as the incident occurred on school property, the employer was liable for failing in their duty of care. Other injuries included ligament damage from a window falling inward in a classroom.
The figures from the EIS showed that in terms of accidents to teachers, slips, trips and falls were the most common with most injuries being a result of ice or dangerous conditions underfoot.
Larry Flanagan, the EIS general secretary said: “At a time when employers are expressing concern at the costs of sickness absence it is ironic that failure to provide teachers and lecturers a safe place of work has led to significant legal challenge.
“Teachers and lecturers are entitled to safe workplaces and the evidence over this year is a worrying testimony to a lack of diligence by employers.
“These damages should never be viewed as some kind of windfall for injured members. Every case is calculated to the penny with the sole aim of putting members back to the position they were in before they were injured through no fault of their own.”
He added: “It is essential that all injuries in the workplace are reported, logged and that the police are informed where a potential crime, such as assault, has occurred. Without proper procedures being followed for the recording and reporting of incidents, there is little chance of any action being taken to address the cause of the injury.”
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “Every pupil and teacher should feel safe from harm at school and in their community. Local authorities have a statutory responsibility to maintain their schools to a safe and sufficient standard and make it clear that violence of any sort is unacceptable.”
Accidents in the Workplace: Making a Personal Injury Claim
If you are involved in an accident in the workplace that occurred through no fault of your own, or if was a result of your employer failing in their duty of care, you could be entitled to make a personal injury claim.
In order to make a claim, it is important to provide as much evidence regarding your injury and the circumstances around your accident. Such evidence will verify your account and demonstrate the seriousness of your injuries. To make a claim, we may require a medical report, photographic evidence, contact details of any witnesses that saw the accident and a copy of the incident in the Accident Report book. We will also require the basic details about the incident such as where, when and how the accident occurred.
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If you have suffered an injury through no fault of your own, our team of personal injury solicitors can help you get the compensation you deserve. Contact our team of experts today using our online contact form, or call us today using our online contact form.