Splinter Claim Reveals There's More To The Chipping Board

In a landmark and somewhat ridiculous ruling a school pupil has been awarded £3,500 in compensation after suffering an accident which resulted in him getting a splinter in his finger. The youngster, who cannot be named for legal reasons, suffered the misfortune whilst handling wood during a lesson in class. The compensation was awarded to the boy and was paid to him by Middlesbrough Council who remained within the jurisdiction of the pupil's school. Although it remains unclear how serious the injury actually was, the award has caused some controversy amongst those who think Britain is turning into a nation of complaining wimps. In fact accident claims in school is on the steady increase despite the obvious dangers. Dangers A spokesman for Middlesbrough Council said: "We are not able to disclose details of individual cases of compensation paid to inured school pupils because they are confidential. However, rigorous guidelines must be met before any sum is granted. In all cases where compensation has been paid there has been an injury warranting that level of compensation, for which the council is legally liable." He added: "In all cases of compensation paid for injuries to children the final settlement needs to be approved by a judge at an infant settlement hearing. This is required even when a case is settled without recourse to the court system. Compensation is negotiated with reference to past cases of a similar nature." A spokesman for the Campaign for Real Education said: "Parents should not be encouraged to apply for compensation when there is an accident, but we suspect a lot of authorities just pay. It's easier and quicker." The area of Teeside has been prone to these types of claims recently with a £6,000 payout given to a child who cut their head and hands whilst playing in school. Experts feel this may set a worrying precedent, especially within environments where such accidents are not only possible but commonplace. Trend The news has followed the revelation that a university pupil has planned to sue her educators for her accident. The pupil from a public school is currently in the process of suing their former school for a grand total of £300,000, for what she sees as gross negligence. The pupil drunkenly fell out of a window on the premises when she was sixteen years old, but feels the accident wasn't her fault. As a result of the fall the student has suffered permanent disability. Her injuries now include a partial paraplegia and she has to walk needing the use of crutches. The basis of the claim centres on the fact that students are encouraged to drink at the school and a small technicality which reveals that the window she fell from opened to 12 inches which is actually three times the legal maximum. The case is ongoing but does further emphasise the change in attitude that Britons have to making compensation claims. Chris Woodhead. a former chief schools inspector, Chris Woodhead, said: "Sadly we live in a world where too many people want to make money for the slightest misfortune. It is short-sighted greed."