Hampshire County Council spent £5m on injury claims

Hampshire County Council had an average payout of £7,347 per claim.

The data has been revealed in a Freedom of Information request showing that HCC paid out more than £2.4 million between April 2023 and March 2024 - the last full financial year.

It is an increase from the previous year, 2022-23, during which the council paid just under £1.1 million.

Another seven-figure outlay was recorded in 2021-22, as the council paid £1.6 million to personal injury claimants.

The figures were revealed by Accident Claims Advice.

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “Considering Hampshire is the third largest shire authority, serving a population of 1.4 million, when looking at the number of claims made, the total for the three financial years is a little over 700 (704) and far lower than that for other authorities such as Essex or Manchester.

“It’s important to understand that the £5 million paid out for all types of damage claims – not limited to personal injury – does not directly correspond with the number of claims made during those three financial years and will include claims made before 2020-21.

“While the payout figure may appear to be high, this is largely due to a high insurance excess, allowing us to keep our ongoing insurance premiums as low as possible. Any claims for damages or injury are always rigorously investigated.”

A total of 704 claims were settled across the three years, with an average payout of £7,347, six times more than the national average of £1,693.81.

Manchester City Council was second in terms of payouts, losing £4,215,085.00 at an average of £3,691 across 1,142 claims in the three-year period.

Essex County Council settled the highest number of claims in the three years.

It paid 445 cases in 2021/22, 446 in 2022/23, and 475 in 2023/24, totalling 1,366 occasions where the council was sued for personal injury.

By June 2024, the council had paid out £3,309,539.22 as a result.