£470,000 paid for injuries to teaching staff

TEACHERS and lecturers have received almost £470,000 in compensation for injuries at work in the past year, it emerged yesterday.

The payouts to members of the Educational Institute of Scotland union included £220,000 for a teacher who slipped on a wet floor and suffered a fractured hip.

One teacher was paid £45,000 after being repeatedly punched and kicked by a pupil, causing injuries to the ribs. Another received £17,125 for injuries caused by a pupil taking a flying kick at them.

A lecturer was given £20,000 after suffering respiratory problems caused by working in dusty rooms for many years. Another claimant received £10,000 after developing asthma because of dust.

Most payouts involved injuries caused by wet floors and faulty equipment.

A teacher who was guiding a child across a car park suffered serious injuries falling into a pothole. He received £31,000.

One claimant received almost £20,000 after a shelf fell on their head, causing a cut and concussion.

Larry Flanagan, the EIS general secretary, said: ‘Our desire is to eventually report a zero figure for compensation in the future due to the elimination of these types of work-related injuries.

‘This year’s figure… demonstrates that there is still a long way to go.’

A Scottish Government spokesman 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.’