Councils in Bedfordshire spent almost £900k on injury claims in three years

Personal injury claims have cost Bedfordshire councils almost £900,000 – with Luton Council paying six times more than Bedford.

New data on personal injury claims against local councils over a three-year period reveals a huge disparity in financial payouts across Bedfordshire.

The figures from all three Bedfordshire’s principal local authorities highlight Luton Borough Council’s massive legal settlements - almost six times the figure paid by Bedford Borough Council.

After submitting FOI requests to UK councils, Legal Expert found that Luton Borough Council, Bedford Borough Council and Central Bedfordshire Council spent a combined total of £884,710 on personal injury claims between 2022/23 and 2024/25.

Although total county payouts dropped sharply over three years (from £447,942 to £63,656), the data shows a huge difference in what individual councils spent on personal injury settlements.

Personal injury compensation claims are often made when members of the public are injured or have suffered a financial loss because the council failed to maintain public spaces or services safely.

Local authorities have a legal duty of care to ensure areas such as roads, pavements, parks, council housing and public buildings are reasonably safe for the public.

Recent statistics reveal just how common these claims are in Bedfordshire.

Over the three-year timeframe, a total of 418 personal injury claims were lodged across Bedfordshire's three councils. Central Bedfordshire Council recorded the highest volume of claims at 182, resulting in a total payout of £301,222.65.

The data also shows a massive gap between Luton and Bedford. Both councils faced nearly identical claim numbers (119 and 117), yet Luton paid out almost six times as much money - nearly £500,000 compared to Bedford's £86,000.

Luton Borough Council experienced a massive spike in the 2022/23 financial year, paying out £301,989. This dropped significantly to £178,966 in 2023/24, and further to just £16,062 in 2024/25.

Central Bedfordshire Council paid out a total of £301,222.65 over the three years. Payouts rose from £113,037.60 in 2022/23 to £159,965.35 in 2023/24, before dropping sharply to £28,219.70 in 2024/25.

Bedford Borough Council maintained the lowest and most stable financial impact, paying a total of £86,470 across the three-year period.

In the same period, most claims came from the public, not council staff. In total, the public submitted 391 of the 418 claims across all three councils.

In contrast, claims submitted by council employees were significantly lower - 27 across three years.

Luton Borough Council recorded 14 employee claims over the three years, while Bedford Borough Council recorded 10 and Central Bedfordshire Council logged just three.

Regionally, public claims mirrored the overall trend: rising from 135 to 151, then dropping to 105.

According to the three councils, public liability, motor vehicle, employers liability and professional indemnity make up the most common claims made against them over the three-year period.

Bedford Borough Council received 465 public liability claims, while Luton received 14 over the three years. The figures show that Luton received more employers liability claims (105) than Bedford (11) across that period.

Legal Expert solicitor Patrick Mallon said: "These latest figures show the importance of local councils upholding their statutory duty to both their employees and their residents.

“We've seen far too many avoidable accidents happen over the years. Even simple slip, trip and falls have the potential to turn someone's life upside down.

"We turn to our councils for help and support and to keep us safe in our neighbourhoods. We hope that in shining a light on these figures more action can be done to ensure public and employee safety."

Legal Expert offers help, support and advice for anyone who has suffered injuries or damages to properties caused by potholes.

They operate a 24-hour helpline and live chat service which you can access on their website.

A spokesperson from Central Bedfordshire Council said: “We have not seen the report compiled by Legal Expert and are therefore unable to comment on the comparisons that have been made between councils.

“Public liability claims can arise from a wide range of incidents and the number of claims received does not necessarily indicate liability. Each claim is considered on its individual circumstances and is investigated thoroughly.

“As a large unitary authority, Central Bedfordshire Council is responsible for maintaining an extensive network of highways, footways, public rights of way and other public assets across the area. We are committed to maintaining these assets as effectively as possible and to ensuring that public funds are protected through the robust assessment and handling of all claims."

We have also approached the Luton and Bedford councils for comment.