West Sussex Fire & Rescue pays nearly £150k in compensation since 2020

West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service has paid out nearly £150,000 in compensation to employees and members of the public since 2020, according to new data.

The figures were obtained by No Win No Fee Solicitors Co and show that the largest amount, more than £115,000, was paid out in 2023 alone.

The service, which operates 25 stations across the county, received a total of 24 claims over the five-year period. Of these, 16 were for personal injuries and six related to property damage. While there were no claims recorded in the most recent year, 2023 saw a peak of 14 claims, up from just one in 2021.

A spokesperson for the fire service said they take all claims seriously and review incidents to implement improvements where necessary. Most claims relate to injuries suffered during operations or damage caused by fire service vehicles. Both firefighters and the public are eligible to submit claims when negligence is suspected.