A recent editorial piece in the Law Society Gazette (29 January 2009) has explored the rise in media reports of a growing “Compensation Culture” in schools, which it is claimed, is forcing the cancellation of school trips and other activities. In recent years, there has been an increase in reports on personal injury claims on behalf of children who have been injured whilst at school or on a school trip. However these stories neglect to mention that out of 8.2 million school children in England, there were only 399 compensation payouts last year to children injured at school.
Many compensation myths have been spread by reports such as one that claimed Health and Safety Laws prevented teachers putting a plaster on a child’s knee, or that children were being made to wear goggles when playing conkers, or even the story that reported children were banned from using egg boxes in art lessons in case they suffered salmonella poisoning. Whilst these stories may grab the attention of readers, it is often the case that the details of the articles are incorrect or even in some cases completely untrue. In response to these stories the health and safety executive has launched its own Myth of the Month section on its’ website aimed at debunking the myths that surround health and safety legislation.
The fear of a compensation culture was also commented on by Schools secretary Ed Balls MP in a recent speech where he said that “it is time the fear of compensation culture is consigned to history once and for all”. The government has also created a special Out and About scheme for schools planning trips, which aims to give them guidance on safe and reasonable steps to take to make sure that sensible risk management procedures are followed during school outings.
As a law firm specializing in personal injury claims for people injured in accidents where they were not at fault, we realize the role that law firms can play in combating stories about the rise of a compensation culture by ensuring that only legitimate claims for genuine injuries are taken to the courts. If you are considering making a claim for compensation, our solicitors will give you a free initial consultation before deciding whether or not you have a case to claim compensation.
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