£400,000 for teacher hurt in filing cabinet One NUT member claimed £280,000 after being pushed out of a stationary minibus and injuring his back. A teacher belonging to the NASUWT union intervened to prevent a colleague being attacked, only to be set upon himself by two pupils. He claimed £270,000 in compensation after being injured and developing palpitations and panic attacks. A 39-year-old technology teacher from the east of England received a £240,000 settlement after working in a poorly ventilated workshop left him with allergies and sinus problems. The disclosures were made as the NUT and NASUWT - representing around 90 per cent of teachers - prepared to start their annual conferences today. Last night, teachers" leaders admitted the payouts represented a waste of taxpayers" money but blamed heads and the Government for failing to protect staff. It was claimed that mounting workloads had exacerbated stress levels and contributed to health and safety rules being flouted. Chris Keates, the NASUWT's general secretary, said: "These employers deliberately flout the law, but it's the teachers and the taxpayers who pay the price. Behind every one of these cases is a person who has been damaged physically or mentally, either because of injury or unfair dismissal. Sadly, as a result of the Government's reckless and cavalier approach to the deregulation of health and safety provisions, employment and equality legislation, more of these cases will arise. Data from the three biggest teaching unions suggest compensation rose well above £30 million for the first time. It was up from at least £25 million a year earlier and £20 million three years ago. About £15.6 million was claimed by the NASUWT in compensation - up by 24 per cent in a year. The Association of Teachers and Lecturers claimed £5.5 million, the vast majority relating to employment issues, an increase of £200,000. The NUT was unable to reveal how much had been claimed although it is likely to be in excess of £10 million. Employment disputes made up a significant proportion of cases. One NUT member from London was dismissed over allegations of exam cheating, even though a colleague facing the same allegations kept her job. The teacher received £6,000. An assistant head won £40,000 through the NASUWT after being sexually harassed by a male colleague, it emerged.