The compensation was awarded over the past five years for workplace injuries, assaults, and trauma.
The figures, revealed through Freedom of Information requests to NHS Resolution by Accident Claims Advice, detail claims made under the NHS’s Liability to Third Parties Scheme between 2020/21 and 2024/25.
Patrick Mallon, head of workplace accident claims at Accident Claims Advice, said: “Hospitals and healthcare facilities should be environments of safety and healing, but this data shows an alarming reality for the people keeping our health service afloat.
“To see more than 1,000 healthcare workers sue the NHS after being assaulted or falling on the job points to a systemic failure of basic workplace protection.
“Diverting more than £190 million away from patient care to fund injury damages and legal battles is a tragedy for an already cash-strapped service.
“Frontline staff have a legal right to a safe environment, and if trusts fail to provide it, workers must continue to use the legal system to protect their health and livelihoods.”
NHS Trusts by total damages paid out (Image: Accident Claims Advice)
Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust recorded the highest damages figure in the region, paying out £2,268,202 in compensation.
This was the fourth highest total of any trust in England.
The trust also reported the second-highest number of claims nationally, with 194 cases logged.
Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust paid out £1,044,867 after receiving 158 claims.
Alder Hey Children’s Hospital paid £727,574 from 40 claims, while Warrington and Halton Hospitals settled 39 claims for a total of £246,452.
Other payouts included £179,779 from the Clatterbridge Cancer Centre (seven claims), £117,628 from Liverpool Women’s Hospital (seven claims), and £39,543 from the Walton Centre (13 claims).
North West Ambulance Service, which covers a wider area including Merseyside, paid out £1,080,029 from 126 claims.
NHS Trusts by volume of claims received (Image: Accident Claims Advice)
Across England, the total cost of workplace injury claims reached more than £190 million during the same period.
Of this, £98.97 million accounted for direct damages, while £86.56 million was spent on legal fees for settled claims where staff won compensation.
Fees for successfully defended claims cost £5.26 million for the NHS, with £144,055 going towards claimants’ legal costs.
Slips and trips were the most common cause of injury, leading to 1,763 successful claims and £25.77 million in damages.
There were 1,021 successful claims related to workplace assaults, costing nearly £18.11 million.
Stress-related claims resulted in £8.84 million in damages.
University Hospitals Birmingham reported the highest number of claims at 210 and paid out £2.57 million.
The highest total damages payout was recorded by University Hospitals Coventry & Warwickshire, at just over £3 million across 44 claims.