Police in Wales pay out for accidents at work

The police force in Wales has paid in excess of £280,000 to staff who had personal injury claims during the past three years.

South Wales police met personal injury compensation claims from its staff worth £84,000, Gwent police claims to the value of £29,000, North Wales paid out £52,000 and Dyfed-Powys Police £94,000, the BBC reported after obtaining the information from a Freedom of Information request.

Claims were made for a variety of problems, including injuries sustained in the gym, an incident where an item fell from a cupboard and accidents caused by "defective office furniture".

"The figure of £94,000 is the total cost over the three-year period and includes damages and the legal costs of the claimants," a spokesperson for Dyfed-Powys police said.

Staff employed by the four Welsh forces have submitted 93 compensation claims since 2007.

South Wales Police made the largest payout of £37,862 in 2007/08, including damages of £16,000.

In addition, the Huddersfield Examiner reported that in another case Kirklees Council had to pay a woman compensation exceeding £2,000 after she hurt her back in a heavy-lifting accident at work.

Published by Hannah Carr