Criminals Claim Over £1m In Community Service Compensation

It has been revealed that criminals completing their community service work have claimed more than £1m in compensation in the last year. One of the most recent cases saw a man claim £73,000 after hurting his ankle while climbing a fence to cut back brambles. It has emerged that an estimated £1.4m is spent every year meeting compensation claims from those conducting community service with awards reaching as much as £94,000 and for a variety of different types of accident.

The compensation culture in the UK has come under heavy criticism in the past few years with the government looking for ways to reduce the annual bill associated with personal injury claims such as accidents at work and criminal negligence cases. However, it has emerged that around £1.4m is paid in compensation every year to those conducting community service. Probation Service bosses have defended the payments, claiming that proper supervision should be provided and that everybody that is part of the Community Payback service should be guaranteed their safety.

One man claimed £73,000 after hurting his back when climbing over a fence to cut brambles. £95,000 was awarded to one worker after breaking his arm while falling from a ladder and another received £19,000 for hurting his back while using a wheelbarrow.

The £1.4m figure takes into account payments to offenders and staff of the Probation Services. There are 35 Probation trusts across the country and a spokesperson for the organisation said that it was their responsibility to ensure that offenders and staff were offered an appropriate degree of safety while conducting their work. He went on to say that compensation was only awarded following sound legal advice and that “vexatious claims are challenged”.

Such accidents are considered similar to accident at work claims, and in these claims it is the responsibility of employers to ensure the safety of everybody under their employ. Assuming similar responsibility falls upon the Probation Service then this means that similar compensation will be paid. However, councillors and a number of groups and organisations have spoken out about the figures with a spokesman for the Taxpayer’s Alliance saying that “prisoners and even some prison guards are exploiting Britain’s crazy compensation culture.”

About The Author

Safina Soni is a principal personal injury solicitor at Stocks Legal Manchester, specialising in fatal injuries, criminal injury claims and accident at work claims.

Safina has brought a wealth of experience to Stocks Legal and is a pivotal member of their executive team.

"I am very proud to be a personal injury solicitor as I know that I make a real difference to people who have suffered and continue to have problems as a result of their injuries."

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CICA Criminal Injury Claims StockslegalOct 10th, 20130 comments