Slips, Trips and £58k Payouts: How Workplace Accidents Have Cost Cornwall Council

Claims Made by Council Workers Since 2022

Cornwall Council has paid out over £58,000 in compensation to staff injured in workplace accidents over the past three years.

Figures obtained by legal firm JF Law show that council employees have made a range of accident claims since 2022, including for slips, trips, falls and manual handling injuries. Successful claims have resulted in a total of £58,563.15 in compensation being paid out.

The largest payout came during the 2022/23 financial year, when £51,808.42 was awarded.

Drop in Claims, But Risks Remain

There were four workplace accident claims made against Cornwall Council in 2022. This increased to five in 2023, before dropping to two in the past year.

Cornwall Council employs people across a wide range of roles, including housing, traffic, construction, education and social care. Like any large employer, it has a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, which includes providing a safe environment, proper training, protective equipment and up-to-date safety policies.

According to the data released, personal injury was the most common reason for claims, with four lodged in the past three years. A further three were linked to operational diseases.

Legal Duty to Protect Workers

Lucy Parker, a solicitor at JF Law, said:
“Councils, like all employers, have a legal obligation and owe a significant duty of care to safeguard their workforce and prevent them from harm.

“Unfortunately, council workers can often be involved in workplace accidents ranging from seemingly minor issues like slips on wet floors and trips on uneven surfaces to more serious incidents involving manual handling and defective equipment.”

She added:
“Sometimes, workplace accidents could have been avoided with proper risk assessments and safety measures. If you’re a council worker who has suffered an injury at work, it’s important to seek legal advice to understand whether you have grounds to pursue a claim for compensation.

“Making sure that councils are sticking to their legal responsibilities after an accident is crucial as it can ensure lessons are learned to prevent future incidents.”

Context: Workplace Injuries Across the UK

Workplace injuries and illnesses cost the UK economy around £21.6 billion each year and affect more than a million workers. Nationally, the rate of self-reported non-fatal injuries stands at 1,890 per 100,000 workers – similar to pre-pandemic levels.

In the last year alone, 138 workers across the UK died in work-related incidents. Around 70% of fatal injuries are caused by falls from height, being struck by moving vehicles or moving objects.

JF Law offers legal advice and support for those looking to make a workplace accident claim. They operate a 24-hour helpline and online claim form via their website.