Our Ref:        FOI-1982-2425

Thank you for your request received on 21 September 2024 asking for information about compensation claims.

Your request has been considered in accordance with the requirements of the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act and our information access policy. I can confirm that we do hold the information you require. 

The safety of our staff and customers is always our top priority and London Underground is recognised as one of the safest metros around the world. However, we are never complacent, and continuously strive to reduce injuries.

The safety of our staff and customers is our number one priority and the Tube in London is recognised as one of the safest metros around the world. Despite this, we are never complacent, and continuously strive to reduce injuries and help our customers travel safely.

We have done a lot to understand the key locations, issues and contributory factors which lead to customer accidents, particularly as customers board and alight our trains. To reduce numbers of safety incidents, we focus on both influencing customer behaviour and changing our infrastructure where possible to reduce risk including the following measures:

•           We are improving cameras on our stations which will give the train operator an even clearer view of the platform on almost 100 Tube platforms to further improve safety for our customers.

•           We have moved nosing stones on a number of our platforms where the gap between the train and the platform is widest, which has reduced the gap and allows our customers to board and alight more safely.

•           We have platform edge doors on the Jubilee line extension which reduces the risk of customer accidents.

•           We provided detailed training to our station staff and train operators on clear safety rules, increasing passenger safety.

•           We have a structured safety communication plan for communicating potential risks to our customers, including announcements on the train, on the platform, in addition to visual communications such as posters within our stations.

•           The yellow lines on our platforms, and the ‘Mind the Gap’ signs, are also used to highlight the potential risk to our customers. There are also regular announcements on our stations to remind our customers to stand behind the yellow line.

•           We undertake talks in schools to educate children on the danger of the gap between the train and platform.

•           We also have structured plans focused on the key safety risks to our colleagues – whether that be workplace violence, slips, trips or falls or working with moving trains/vehicles or equipment. As a result, serious injuries to our colleagues has been reducing in recent years. 

We continually monitor the effectiveness of our measures and campaigns in reducing accidents and adjust our approach accordingly.

We offer comprehensive help and support to people involved in, or affected by, a life-changing incident on the TfL network via The Sarah Hope Line: https://tfl.gov.uk/campaign/incident-support-service.

You asked for:

1.     The total amount compensation issued during (a) 1 September 2021 - 31 August 2022, (b) 1 September 2022 - 31 August 2023 and (c) 1 September 2023 - 31 August 2024.

2.     The total amount compensation issued during (a) 1 September 2021 - 31 August 2022, (b) 1 September 2022 - 31 August 2023 and (c) 1 September 2023 - 31 August 2024, broken down by transport network (e.g. bus, Underground).

Please find the requested information in the tables below. Please note that this information is based upon the closed date of an occurrence. An occurrence is generally a single event with a single claim resulting from it, such as a slip or trip, however occasionally we receive multiple claims from a single occurrence. An example is a road traffic incident where a claim could be made by both driver and passenger of a third party vehicle. The year corresponds with the dates requested (i.e. "2021" is for 1 Sept '21 to 31 Aug '22). The value is the sum of the amount paid in compensation and the claimants legal costs. 

Please see further explanation below regarding the transport modes listed above:

•       CAHA - cases where there is a potential link to another rail industry partner.

•       Group Services - generally incidents that have occurred on TfL head office property.

•       London Buses – this does not refer to incidents involving buses, but involving bus assets such as bus stops etc. Please note that we do not own or operate or insure the buses for liability. This would be done by the individual bus operators that manage the routes. For this information please contact the respective bus operator directly (https://tfl.gov.uk/modes/buses/who-runs-your-bus?intcmp=44680).

•       Non Specific Exposure - generally claims linked to historic disease matters.

3.     The number of claims received by TfL during (a) 1 September 2021 - 31 August 2022, (b) 1 September 2022 - 31 August 2023 and (c) 1 September 2023 - 31 August 2024. 

4.     The number of claims received by TfL during ((a) 1 September 2021 - 31 August 2022, (b) 1 September 2022 - 31 August 2023 and (c) 1 September 2023 - 31 August 2024, broken down by transport network (e.g. bus, Underground).

Please see the requested information in the tables below. Please note that the below data is not linked to the above and relates to claims that were received within the dates specified (i.e. not the date the claim was closed). 

5.     The largest amount of compensation issued in one single case during (a) 1 September 2021 - 31 August 2022, (b) 1 September 2022 - 31 August 2023 and (c) 1 September 2023 - 31 August 2024.

Please see the table below:

These figures are the largest paid (damages and claimant legal costs) total per occurrence per year based on the year of closure (in line with the tables for Q1 and 2).

If this is not the information you are looking for, or if you are unable to access it for any reason, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Please see the attached information sheet for details of your right to appeal.

Yours sincerely 

Gemma Jacob

Senior FOI Case Officer

FOI Case Management Team

General Counsel

Transport for London

[email protected]