Teachers paid thousands for accident claims, assaults

New figures have revealed that teachers were last year handed thousands of pounds in accident compensation money after work accidents and assaults.

Members of the Association of Teachers won £5 million, while those who belonged to The National Association of Schoolmasters Union of Women Teachers (NASUWT) were given compensation to the tune of £10.5 million, the Times Educational Supplement revealed.

"Behind each of these cases is a person whose life has been changed through serious injury or unfair dismissal from their chosen career. Compensation is important but it is cold comfort if your health is irreparably damaged or your professional career has ended," Chris Keates, NASUWT's general secretary, said.

The highest amount of accident compensation awarded out of court was for £292,795. This amount went to a NASUWT member in 2010, after they injured their back when they tripped in a car park on a pothole and injured their back.

In addition, a high level of accident compensation has been awarded to individuals who work in the construction industry. Last year, members of Ucatt, a construction union, had £7.1 million won for them.

Published by Hannah Carr