Accidents at School

Children should be able to learn and enjoy school in a safe and considered environment, one that delivers on a duty of care and ensures their health and wellbeing.

But what happens when that duty is absent and an accident at school takes place, putting a child in harm’s way?

Who can you turn to for help?

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A helping hand with Winns

Winn Solicitors has a team of expert advisors standing by to support you through the claims process, taking the stress and hassle away so you can focus on what’s important – the health and wellbeing of your child.

With experienced legal professionals in our public liability team, they’ll provide the best advice and guidance and get the right medical treatment swiftly to speed up the recovery process and return to a form of normality.

I would highly recommend Winn Solicitors ... to anyone in need of legal assistance following a non-fault accident. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and commitment to getting the best possible outcome for their clients are second to none.

Mitesh

What types of accidents can happen at school?

Although not something any parent wants to consider, accidents in school can happen and your child can be injured in a number of ways during the school day. Within the classroom, the safety risks can include broken desks or chairs, malfunctioning equipment, or damaged floors - all of which are the school's responsibility to maintain. It is crucial that schools conduct regular inspections to ensure these potential hazards are promptly dealt with to safeguard the children. 

Beyond the classroom, accidents can also occur in various school settings, including:

• Falling due to faulty playground and sports equipment
• Tripping over a removed object that has left a post in the ground
• Slipping or tripping on uneven or defective surfaces
• On school trips due to negligence
• During sports activities
• In specialised classes such as cooking, textiles, or woodwork where sharp tools and the risk of burns introduce additional hazards.

Schools must ensure that their premises, both inside and outside the classroom, are free from these risks to ensure the safety of all students. Proper supervision and maintenance can prevent many of these accidents, and it is the school's duty to provide a safe learning environment.

If your child wasn’t at fault for the accident, a claim may be made to help with recovery from the injuries sustained and even a possible future altered by the incident's fallout.

When can you make a claim for your child?

A child is not legally entitled to make a claim meaning the parent or guardian is the one to conduct proceedings on their behalf.

There are certain legal limitations to making a claim for personal injury compensation. When it involves an adult, it is three years from the date of the accident.

But when a claim is being made on behalf of a child under the age of 18, this statutory time limit doesn’t start until their 18th birthday as opposed to starting from the day the incident took place.

This means you have until their 21st birthday to submit a claim and begin the process.

Because of my conversations with Esther I have total confidence in Winn Solicitors and how they will handle my claim. I am very appreciative of the excellent service I have received so far.

S Tariq

How much does it cost to make a claim?

The way our outstanding client care is delivered, you don’t pay a penny in upfront costs as part of our no win no fee approach. We will only take payment if your claim is successful – and the amount is a fixed, agreed percentage that doesn’t change from the outset – meaning you won’t pay if we don’t succeed.

No surprise costs midway through and no sliding scale rises if your claim becomes more complex, just the reassurance you’re being backed by a legal powerhouse with decades of experience in achieving successful outcomes for clients.

Want a no-obligation discussion about your circumstances to see if you’re eligible to make a public liability claim? Get in touch today for a chat with our friendly team.

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FAQs

What is school accident compensation?
School accident compensation relates to a settlement figure that is agreed between two sides involved in a personal injury compensation claim after an accident at school that wasn’t the fault of the injured party. This financial amount is used to help the affected party adjust to a recovery and rehabilitation period of time, or a future entirely altered by serious injury.

Is there a school duty of care in the UK? What happens if that fails?

Schools in the UK have a duty of care to ensure the safety of all users of a school site - visitors, volunteers, staff, and the pupils who attend. If those responsible fail in their duty of care, and an injury is caused as a result of a non-fault accident, the person affected could, potentially, claim personal injury compensation. This is dependent on the circumstances of the accident and should be discussed with a legal professional.

What are some common accidents at school?

There are many common accidents at school; with hundreds of children and adults using the same site, busy times can lead to collisions, falls, and trips. Factor in classes involving specialist provisions - like design technology and cookery - and the need for a diligent risk assessment is obvious.

How should I handle a head injury at school?

When a child suffers a head injury at school, it’s vital to get immediate medical support and assessment so effective treatment can be delivered. The school will have policies in place and action plans that can be enabled, with calls to the emergency services and the parents made, depending on the severity of the situation. If you wish to make a claim for personal injury compensation, to support recovery or adjustment to a life permanently altered by the injuries sustained, contact a legal company that specialises in accident management.  

What is the head injury protocol for schools?

A head injury protocol in schools will, usually, set out hazards that could potentially lead to a head injury-related accident on site and what actions should be taken in the immediate aftermath of an incident. It should help to standardise responses and ensure that those involved take appropriate steps.

What should I do if I suspect school negligence?

If you’re in a situation where you suspect school negligence, it is always important to seek clarification from the at-fault. By explaining their perspective of the circumstances, you can either be content with what they’ve said and done or you can take it further and discuss matters with an accident management specialist, who will be well placed to ascertain if your situation makes you eligible to make a claim.

Suing a school for negligence - what you should know

A school is responsible for the safety of those using their site, regardless of who they are. If they fail in that responsibility, suing a school for negligence could be an option to support the affected person in their recovery from injury. If this has happened to you or your child, call our team to discuss your circumstances. We're ready to help. 

What is the most common school injury claims?

School injury claims come about after a non-fault accident either on school premises or on a trip organised by the education provider in question. Common claims can be for compensation after a fall from height (be it playing equipment or other raised platforms), a trip or slip, or injuries created while using specialist equipment in certain lessons in the curriculum. Head injuries, broken bones, and cuts are all common.

How do you make an accident at school claim?

If you’re considering making an accident at school claim, it is good practice to contact an accident management specialist who can guide you through the process and provide expert assistance at a crucial time of the claims process. In the aftermath of an accident, when treatment is needed and evidence is available to gather and witness memory is still strong, it is important to start the process efficiently to build as strong a case as possible. Our team can handle all elements and ensure you conduct an accident at school claim correctly.