Leicestershire County Council could be forced to pay a schoolgirl £12,000 compensation after she was seriously burnt by spilled baked beans while at school.
The child received the burns after beans were spilt on her neck. According to the local press the council have set aside around £12,000 in compensation to settle the case.
In the past four years the council have received 63 claims for compensation for injuries incurred while on their property.
To date, 29 cases have been settled, 5 of which resulted in compensation payouts.
Nick Rushton of the council said: “The council has a relatively low number of compensation claims compared to other similar local authorities, which is positive.
“The claims that we do receive are defended where necessary, and we only pay out when the legal liability is established.”
Other cases revealed by the Freedom of Information request include one child who is claiming for £43,000 after sand was thrown in his face by a classmate which has resulted in permanent blindness.
Another case which came to light was a claim for £39,000 after another child was hit in the eye with a tin foil ball.
One child is claiming £18,000 for tripping over an umbrella stand which was being used as a goal post.
Cases which were unsuccessful include a child who was injured while performing a handstand, another child who slipped on grass, and another who was tackled during a football match.
The government is planning to change the no win no fee system, which many people use to claim personal injury compensation. The move has not gone down well with the Law Society, with fears it will put access to compensation out of reach for many people who are unable to afford to make a claim.
Des Hudson, chief executive said: “In misguided efforts to tackle the myth of a compensation culture, the Government has sought to overhaul ‘no win, no fee’ agreements in such a way as to place justice beyond reach for all but the most wealthy.
“The result will be a twin assault on the ability of people of low or ordinary means to access justice and a series of cuts that will be largely ineffective.”
