Accidents in Restaurants 

 Many of us visit restaurants on a regular basis. We don’t expect anything to happen to us when we do so. The vast majority of restaurants across the UK are diligent in their duty of care towards their customers. However, there are situations when accidents in restaurants can occur as well as illness.  

All restaurant owners must make sure they follow the rules set out in the Occupiers Liability Act 1957. They must do this to minimise the risk of accidents happening. If you have an accident in a restaurant, and it is due to the fault of the restaurant owner, then you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim. 

Common Accidents in Restaurants

  • Slipping on wet floors 
  • Trips and falls 
  • Badly maintained facilities 
  • Food poisoning 

Restaurant owners must ensure that the restaurant is fit for purpose and a safe environment for those invited or permitted to be there.  

Restaurant operators need to be vigilant, display clear warning signs and not only abide by the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 but also their duty of care to customers and those invited onto the premises. 

It is worth noting that this obligation also takes in any surrounding premises for which the restaurant owner is responsible. So, if any incidents were to occur in the restaurant’s car park or the entrance to the restaurant this might also leave open a potential case for compensation. 

accidents in restaurants

Accidents in Restaurants for Staff 

If you are a staff member working in a restaurant, you may also have an accident at work. Restaurant kitchens can be very unsafe places if owners do not maintain and clean them properly. If restaurants aren’t kept safe for staff, and you have an accident, then your employer may be at fault, and you may be able to make a claim. 

Some of the most common accidents in restaurants for staff include: 

  • Slipping in spillages 
  • Burn injuries  
  • Injuries with kitchen equipment 

If you are using any kitchen equipment, such as cookers or knives, and you haven’t had the adequate training to be able to use them, then your employer may be at fault if you have an accident. 

We understand that you might be worried about losing your job or being treated differently if you make a claim against your employer, but this isn’t true. In fact, when you make any type of accident at work claim against your employer, you’re protected by law. This means you can’t be dismissed or treated differently just because you’ve involved solicitors. 

When you make a claim against your employer, it is also worth noting that it is their insurer who pays any compensation. All businesses in the UK must have business insurance in case accidents at work happen. 

How We Can Help 

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents in restaurants. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts. 

The UK Cities With the the Most Accidents

The UK might be one of the safest places to live and work in the world, but that doesn’t mean we’re not still accident-prone. Using data gathered by The Office of National Statistics (ONS), we’re breaking down the top 10 most accident-prone cities in the UK based on accidents and population.

While for many of us last year and the year before was an incredibly quiet year, sometimes, accidents are entirely unavoidable. Based on data collected by The Health and Safety Executive, even in 2020, at least 400,000 people suffered an injury due to a workplace accident.

In fact, 10% of all UK accidents that year involved being struck by a moving object, making it the third most common accident type in the country behind trips, slips, and falls, and manual handling injuries.

Read on to find out which cities are the most accident-prone.

1. Kingston upon Hull

Though it was the UK’s city of culture back in 2017, it’s clear Hull still needs some work done to its roads. There were 603 reported-road traffic accidents in 2020. Combined with the 307 workplace accidents they reported, that makes for a total accident count of 910.

This might not seem like much, especially compared to some of the UK’s most populated cities, but with a population of 259,126, this puts Hull’s accidents per capita at 0.0035 – the highest across the country.

2. Peterborough

One of the more populous commuter cities in the UK, perhaps it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Peterborough takes the number two spot for accidents per person. Sitting at a comfortable population of 202626, Peterborough saw 327 road accidents and 232 workplace accidents in 2020.

While a marked step down from the number of accidents seen in Hull, Peterborough’s lower population actually increases its accidents per capita to 0.0028, making it a bit of an accident hotspot.

3. Portsmouth

Being a port town, Portsmouth sees a lot of traffic on a daily basis, but even the extensive safety protocols taken to avoid accidents in this setting couldn’t stop Portsmouth from seeing 427 road traffic accidents and 142 workplace accidents throughout 2020.

These 569 accidents give Portsmouth an accident per capita rate of 0.0027, putting it just below Peterborough but certainly showing that a little more care and attention is needed in this city.

4. Nottingham

While Robin Hood certainly had no shortage of danger in his line of work, it’s doubtful he ever had to deal with busy roads and traffic accidents. ONS data shows that Nottingham is the fourth most accident-prone UK city.

Nottingham suffered 553 accidents on the road and 319 overall workplace accidents across 2020, putting its accident per capita at 0.0026 thanks to its population of 337098.

5. London

You might be forgiven for thinking that the UK capital would be top of ONS statistics given its massive population of 29,989,531 when you include Greater London. To put that into perspective, the population of Scotland is around 5.5 million. With a population this big, it’s no surprise that London sees a lot of accidents.

Incredibly, despite having 49,386 road traffic accidents and 23,448 workplace accidents in 2020, London’s enormous population means that its combined accident total of 72,834 only puts its accidents per capita at 0.0024, which is perhaps the most surprising statistic of all.

6. Wakefield

Leeds might not fall into the top 10, but its accident-prone neighbour certainly does. As a commuter city on the way to Leeds, Wakefield certainly sees its fair share of road accidents, with 387 recorded in 2020. That being said, Wakefield is the only accident-prone city in the top ten to see more workplace than traffic accidents, with 451 over the course of the year.

Despite being less well-known than many of the other places on the ONS’s list, Wakefield has a healthy population of 351,592, helping to place its 838 accidents at an accident per capita of around 0.0024, only just being beaten by London.

7. Derby

It might be somewhat out of the way, yet Derby still sees plenty of through traffic thanks to its cathedral, galleries, and the popular Download music festival that takes place yearly at the nearby Donnington Park. But even with these places closed for 2020, Derby managed to rack up 415 road accidents and 190 workplace accidents in 2020.

Derby is the third city in a row to find itself with a 0.0024 accident per capita rating, due in no small part to its relatively small population of 256,814.

8. Brighton and Hove

Better known to most of us as the popular seaside resort of Brighton, this much-loved tourist location saw 553 road traffic incidents in 2020 despite seeing reduced tourism. When adding this to its 131 workplace accidents, Brighton saw an accident total of 684.

All this leaves Brighton with 0.0023 accidents per capita, something it shares in common with our last two accident-prone cities.

9. Birmingham

The only other member of the UK’s largest cities to make the list, Birmingham’s 1,140,525 strong population had a surprisingly low total accident count when compared to the likes of London. Birmingham saw 2,653 total accidents in 2020, 1,802 road accidents and 851 workplace accidents respectively.

This leaves Birmingham’s accidents per capita drawing with Brighton at 0.0023, which isn’t too bad for a city with such a large population.

10. Wolverhampton

Last on the ONS’s list is the populous Northern city of Wolverhampton. Wolverhampton shares its accidents per capita with Brighton and Birmingham at a respectable 0.0023.

It might have a population of 264,407, but between them, they only saw 376 road traffic incidents and 238 workplace accidents for a total accident count of 614.

Did your city make the list? Did you suffer a road traffic or workplace accident in one of these cities in 2021 and are yet to make a claim? If so, then you should get in touch with The Compensation Experts.

If you’ve suffered an accident due to someone else’s negligence in the last 3 years, then you’re entitled to compensation. Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with expert solicitors in all fields of personal injury. We’re here to make sure you get the compensation you deserve. Speak with our experienced team today and we’ll start the claims process at a pace that suits you.

Christmas Shopping Accidents

Now that it’s December, there is one event that is on many people’s minds: Christmas. Whilst the festive season makes many people happy, it can also cause stress, which may lead to accidents. One of the main areas where accidents can be common is whilst Christmas shopping. There are several elements which combine to create extra risk at Christmas, including winter weather, stress and rushing about. And now that we can go into shops again, the number of Christmas shopping accidents that happen annually may be on the up.

Common Christmas Shopping Accidents

Two of the most common areas of Christmas shopping accidents are accidents in shops and accidents on the road.

Accidents in Shops

Most accidents that happen during the festive period do so in shops. This can be due to health and safety issues, inadequate staffing, or the fault of other members of the public. Shops have a duty of care, set out in the Occupier’s Liability Act 1984, to ensure that no one is injured whilst on their premises.

This is especially important during the festive period, as the number of shoppers increases. Businesses and shop owners, at this time, must take even more care to make sure no one has an accident. This includes making sure there are adequate members of staff in to deal with the increased footfall and making sure they have the correct training to deal with the numbers.

Accidents on the Road

There can also be accidents during the festive period before you even enter a shop. There are many accidents that happen on the roads and in car parks too. Causes of these accidents can include speeding, driving carelessly, and drivers fighting for parking spaces.

The Christmas period causes many drivers to drive more recklessly on the roads, with drivers speeding and not concentrating. According to Department for Transport statistics, the Christmas period contains some of the days when the most crashes happen on UK roads. This is likely due to the rush of shoppers.

christmas shopping accidents

How to Avoid Common Christmas Shopping Accidents

There are certain things you can do to avoid Christmas shopping accidents. These include:

  • Try to shop at quieter times to avoid the largest crowds
  • Ensure that you are not straining your back by carrying too much
  • Stay calm and don’t rush – stress can also contribute to accidents
  • Stay aware of your surroundings- a major cause of accidents in shops is falling objects

If you are worried about having an accident during the festive period, or if you are feeling stressed, then online shopping may be more beneficial than going to a physical store. If you are in a store and you notice potential hazards, report them to a member of staff in the store. This can help keep everyone safe.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes Christmas shopping accidents. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts.

Road Safety Week and Children’s Bicycle Accidents

This week is Road Safety Week. It is run by the road safety charity Brake, and it inspires thousands of schools, organisations, and communities to take action on road safety. It also provides a great opportunity for anyone working in road safety to get more people involved with their work. One of the biggest focuses is on children’s road safety, and, as children’s bicycle accidents can be common, this is an area that needs focus.

The theme of Road Safety Week 2021 is road safety heroes. This celebrates the heroic work of road safety professionals, and explaining how we can all play a part in making journeys safer for everyone.

Children’s Bicycle Accidents

Children’s bicycle accidents can happen for all sorts of reasons. However, in our experience, the most common accidents include:

  • Hit and run accidents
  • Faulty bicycle parts
  • Defects in the road and pavements, for example, potholes
  • Slippery road or pavement conditions due to ice, snow, or oil spills

If your child has had a bicycle accident due to one of these reasons, then it may be someone else’s fault and you may be able to make a claim on their behalf.

children's bicycle accidents

Minimising Risks of Children’s Bicycle Accidents

The nature of children means that they may have accidents that there is no one to blame for. There are certain ways that you can minimise your child’s risk of having an accident by taking certain precautions.

Here are a few tips from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) on how you can maximise enjoyment and minimise risk:

  • Carry out a regular safety check (tyres at the correct pressure, brakes working and nothing loose like spokes, saddle or handlebars)
  • Wearing a cycle helmet will help provide protection to the head in the event of a collision or falling off (remember to replace if damaged)
  • Make sure your child is not wearing any loose clothing or shoelaces, which could become tangled in the chain or wheels
  • Parents should ride with children to their competence and ability. Get them to demonstrate that they can safely control their bike and deal with other traffic
  • For older children, if they are riding away from home plan the route with them; use cycle tracks and avoid busy roads and junctions if possible.

Claiming on Behalf of a Child

If a child has an accident, then a parent or guardian may be able to claim on their behalf. Any compensation received is put into a special fund or trust for the child to access when they turn 18. Or managed by trustees to cover the cost of caring for a child with a disability sustained as the result of their injury.

Usually in personal injury cases, there is a three-year time limit to make a claim. However, this is not the case if a child has an accident. In that case, a parent or guardian can make a claim on their behalf until they turn 18, and after that, they have until they turn 21 to make a claim for themselves.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes children’s bicycle accidents. So contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts.

When can you make council claims?

When you have an accident in a public place, there are instances where the council is at fault for your accident. This is why council claims may happen.

Your local council has a duty to keep all roads and pavements safe to use. They also have a duty to keep council buildings like schools and parks, council-owned homes, and street lighting safe.

When people have accidents in these places and the council are at fault, they may be able to make council claims.

When can you make council claims?

There are many instances where the council may be at fault for your accident. The main cause of council claims is potholes in the road or on the pavement. Instances where you can claim against the council for a pothole fall can include tripping in the pothole while walking, cycling into the pothole, and being hurt in a resulting crash, or a pothole causing a car accident in which you are injured, or your car damaged.

Council compensation claims can include:

  • Damage sustained from a pothole that is more than one inch (2.5 centimetres) deep.
  • Injuries sustained while tripping on uneven paving or pavement where a stone is sticking up by at least one inch
  • Being injured at work if you are a council employee, including through not being provided with adequate protective equipment or training
  • You or your child being hurt by faulty or poorly maintained playground equipment
council claims

When can’t you make council claims?

Slips on ice

One of the major reasons people may want to claim against the council is if they slip on ice. Whilst ice is an inconvenience, and councils do grit roads, councils actually have no legal obligation to do this. Therefore, if you slip on ice, then it is unlikely that you will be able to make a claim against the council for the fall.

Weather

Sometimes, when someone has an accident due to weather conditions, they may think that the council is to blame. This is especially true if the weather causes slippery roads and pavements. However, the council cannot be blamed for weather conditions. This includes rain, snow, ice, and fallen leaves. If you slip on leaves or wet ground, unfortunately you can’t claim against the council.

Littering/Fly tipping

If you slip on litter on the street, then you may believe that the council may be to blame for your accident. This is especially true if this litter is near a bin. However, the council are not at fault for litter on the ground. This is the same for fly tipping.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes council claims. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable experts.

Southern and Thameslink Services Suspended After Person Involved in Train Accident

Recently Southern and Thameslink suspended their services after a train accident. The train hit a person on a Surrey route. Emergency services attended the incident near Sutton station.

The update on traffic and travel website Inrix read: “Services suspended on Southern and Thameslink between Mitcham Junction and Epsom due to emergency services dealing with an incident.”

Thameslink wrote about the incident on Twitter.

The tweet said: “It is with great sadness that we report a person has been hit by a train between Mitcham Junction and Epsom.

“All lines are blocked between these stations whilst the emergency services work to deal with this incident. Service information will follow.”

At just after 6.40pm Thameslink and Southern confirmed that lines had reopened.

train accident claims

Train Accident Claims

There are many different types of accidents which may happen on trains, at train stations or on platforms. Some of the most common causes of train accident claims include:

  • Train crashes and collisions with other trains
  • Slips, trips and falls on trains, in train station or on platforms.
  • Falling objects such as luggage hitting passengers
  • Pedestrians being hit by trains whilst crossing tracks or at level crossings
  • Doors closing too early, causing injuries
  • Train users tripping or falling when entering or exiting the train
  • Injuries caused by defects in seats and defective equipment on the train

Common Causes of Train Accidents

The train company and train drivers have a duty of care to their passengers. This means that they should take reasonable steps to ensure that all passengers are safe whilst travelling on the train. The most common causes of train accidents and subsequent train accident claims include:

  • Negligence of the train driver. This can include a driver talking on a phone, under the influence of alcohol or drugs, or simply poor concentration of the driver
  • The train companies’ failure to complete regular checks to ensure that the train is safe a free from defects
  • Poor housekeeping due to the negligence of the train and train station staff
  • Poor or inadequate training of staff on the train
  • Defects on the train tracks or at level crossings

In the vast majority of cases, if a person makes a train accident claim, it is against the train company. This is because they have a duty of care to ensure that train users are safe whilst travelling.

There are some cases where the train company had no control over the accident. In these cases, a person must claim against someone else.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes train accident claims. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Footpath Accidents Waiting to Happen on Country Lane According to Locals

A Hornsea man says he was forced to walk on a “dangerous” part of the A1035 because the condition of the footpath was a “disgrace”. He said footpath accidents are waiting to happen due to the condition of the path, saying that some of it was underwater, and the rest was not any better.

“It’s a disgrace, had to take to walking on a dangerous part of the road. As footpath was underwater. The rest of the path isn’t any better, almost completely overgrown in parts.”

He said, across the East Riding, the council is responsible for 1,900km of paths and he he has raised the issue with the council in the past.

“I have reported it in the past, nothing came of it. That path is also part of the Hornsea Mere circular walk, meant to be one of the jewels in the crown for Hornsea.

“The road is the A1035, the main road into Hornsea from Beverley, so a busy stretch. So walking or cycling is rather risky due to the bends.

“Maybe if they [the council] were that concerned they should get one of their footpath officers to walk the path.”

A spokesman for East Riding Council said: “The council will investigate this section of footpath for defects and we have asked for the grass to be cut.

“Across the East Riding, the council is responsible for 1,900km of paths and obviously there will be many areas that need work. But our officers need to prioritise that work given the available budgets, which are under intense pressure.

“Our officers will continue their efforts to secure additional funding to upgrade the path from external sources.”

footpath accidents

Footpath Accidents

One of the most common types of public accident that we deal with are footpath accidents. Footpath accidents can happen due to potholes in the path or road, raised paving slabs, and more.

The Highways Act 1980 states that local authorities are responsible for keeping all roads and footpaths safe to use. This means a council has a legal duty to repair any damage that occurs to surfaces. They must do this by making repairs within six months of being notified of the risk. If a local council does not do this and someone has an accident, then they may be liable.

Proving Footpath Accidents

When you have a footpath accident, you may be wondering how you can prove that the accident was the fault of the council. The main thing you can do to prove your accident was due to a defect in the footpath is to take photos of the path. To make a personal injury claim, a defect on a footpath must be at least one inch deep or raised. This differs to defects on a road, which must be at least two inches deep and 12 inches wide.

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes footpath accidents. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Public Accidents on Farms: Mum’s Heartbreak after Toddler Dies in Accident

According to recent reports, a toddler has died following an accident on a farm. Public accidents on farms can be as common as workers accidents, and because of this, they can have devastating results.

The three-year-old was hit by a pick-up vehicle as he was playing with his sister and cousin at a farm at Rhosfach, Efailwen on August 3. Police and the Health and Safety Executive are still investigating what happened in the incident that saw the toddler lose his life, but his mother knows enough to say her son, who was playing on his bike, was killed almost instantaneously in the collision. She immediately rushed back to the farm but was not allowed into the farmyard to see her son while police carried out their investigations.

Public Accidents on Farms

As well as the staff at a farm, members of the public can also have farming injuries. The most common type of farming accidents that visitors experience include slips, trips, and falls, and collisions with vehicles. The owners of the farm have a responsibility to keep the public safe from accidents as well as their staff.

public accidents on farms

Occupier’s Liability Accidents

The types of accidents that generally come under occupier’s liability accidents include accidents in places where the public visits but are not owned by the council. Owners of properties must take steps to help ensure that people do not have accidents on their premises.

There are many causes of accidents that fall under occupier’s liability. Some of these include:

  • Slipping on wet surfaces
  • Tripping over uneven floors
  • Being struck by a falling object

These causes of accidents are easy to avoid. The owner of the premises should ensure that they put measures in place to avoid accidents like this from happening. They must ensure they follow rules set out in the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 to minimise the risk of accidents happening. If they fail to do this then they may be liable if someone has an accident on their premises.

Children’s Accidents

Some of the more common occupier’s liability accidents involve children. If children are visiting a place that falls under occupier’s liability, then the owner must take extra care to minimise the risk of children having accidents. This is because children tend to be less careful than adults whilst out in public.

If your child has had an accident is a public or private place, then you may be able to claim on their behalf. If your child is under 18, then a parent or guardian may make a claim for them. Their parent or guardian also has until the child turns 18 to make a claim. If the child is over 18 then they have until they are 21 to make a claim themselves.

How We Can Help with Public Accidents on Farms

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes public accidents on farms. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable agents.

Gran Scared to Walk After Falling in Town Where Pothole Falls are Common

A 75-year-old woman recently fell down on a footpath and suffered two black eyes and bruising. The pensioner fell down a pothole in the town of Skelmersdale. Pothole falls such as this are common and are a main cause of public liability claims.

Her daughter has branded footpaths ‘treacherous’ all over the town and is calling on the council to sort out the problem to stop anyone else from suffering in this way.

She says “The pavements are so treacherous in Skelmersdale. Something has got to be done because it’s a widespread problem. The underpasses get flooded and people have to walk in those places. Those footpaths are dangerous, and the subways get flooded when it’s raining so you can’t go through them, and people have to walk through them all the time.

“The majority of the footpaths and subways in Skelmersdale are not fit for purpose. The majority of the footpaths are a disgrace. Nothing seems to get repaired in Skelmersdale and people are fuming because of the state of the place.

Pothole Falls

Pothole falls are amongst the most common type of public liability accidents. Most of these types of accidents are slips, trips, and falls. These accidents can happen on the pavement, on the road or on public footpaths in parks.

There are certain rules when claiming for tripping on a pothole or defect in a pavement or road. On a pavement, a pothole or defect must be at least an inch deep or raised. In the road, this must be at least 2 inches deep and at least 12 inches wide.

pothole falls

Compensation Claims against the Council

The Highways Act 1980 states that local authorities are responsible for keeping all roads and footpaths safe to use. Keeping all roads and pavements marble smooth at all times is both unnecessary and impractical. However a council has a legal duty to repair any damage that occurs to surfaces. They must do this by making repairs within six months of being notified of the risk. If a local council does not do this and someone has an accident, then they may be liable.

Did you suffer injury on council property due to their failure to fulfil their duty of care? If so, The Compensation Experts can guide you through the process of making a claim against the council.

Council compensation claims can include:

  • Damage sustained from pothole falls from a pothole that is more than one inch (2.5 centimetres) deep.
  • Tripping on a pothole while walking
  • Cycling into a pothole and being hurt in a resulting crash
  • A pothole causing a car accident in which you are injured, or your car damaged
  • Tripping on uneven paving or pavement where a stone is sticking up by at least one inch

How We Can Help

Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes pothole falls. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

The Most Common Accidents in Schools

Now that back to school is upon us in England and Wales, parents and children’s minds are sure to be filled with the thought of returning. With children returning, there is also a risk of accidents in schools, but did you know your child may have an accident that you can claim compensation for?

Children are the most prone to accidents overall, according to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA).  However, some common accidents in schools can happen due to negligence on the school’s part. If one of these accidents happens, then you may be able to make a claim on your child’s behalf.

accidents in schools

Most Common Accidents in Schools

Where children are involved, there are some accidents that are just that, accidents. Children have accidents whilst playing that are unavoidable. However, there are some instances where the school may be at fault for accidents in schools.

Some of the most common accidents in schools include:

  • Playground equipment accidents
  • Slips, trips, and falls on school premises
  • Classroom accidents
  • Accidents on school trips

Playground Equipment Accidents

Schools have a responsibility to make sure that playgrounds are safe for children. Climbing equipment should not be too high, and the ground underneath the climbing equipment must be soft enough to stop a child being badly injured. Maintenance and checks must also happen regularly on any equipment that children use. This is to ensure that children are not injured on broken equipment.

Slips, Trips and Falls on School Premises

If a child slips or trips on the school premises because of a defect on the paving or a hole in the fields, then the school may be liable. Schools must ensure that the premises are free from broken paving, holes, or other defects. This helps to ensure both children and parents are safe.

Classroom Accidents

Accidents that happen in classrooms that can be the school’s fault include failure to supervise children, broken desks or chairs, broken equipment, and damaged floors or carpets. Schools must ensure that their classrooms are free from broken or faulty equipment to ensure children are safe.

Accidents on School Trips

Schools still have a duty of care to protect children on school trips. They must ensure that they supervise children adequately to prevent accidents from happening.

Schools have a duty of care to keep children safe, and if they fail to do so and a child has an accident, then a parent or guardian may be able to make a claim on their behalf.

Claiming on Behalf of a Child for Accidents in Schools

If a child has an accident, then a parent or guardian may be able to make a claim on their behalf. Then, any compensation goes into a trust until the child turns 18. Or trustees manage the trust. This covers the cost of caring for a child with a disability sustained as the result of their injury.

The time frame for making a claim is also different if the accident involves a child. Usually in personal injury cases, a person has three years from the date the accident happened to make a claim. However, when a child has an accident, a parent or guardian can make a claim on their behalf until they turn 18. The child then has until they turn 21 to make a claim for themselves. However, we still recommend making a claim as soon as possible.

How We Can Help with Accidents in Schools

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents in schools. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Children’s Accidents in Swimming Pools

Swimming can be extremely beneficial to children and learning to swim and being confident around pools can help this. However, with children being around water whilst they are learning to swim, children’s accidents in swimming pools are more common.

There are some instances where children’s accidents in swimming pools are unavoidable. However, where a child has an accident in a swimming pool, and this accident is caused by the negligence of someone else, then you may be able to make a claim.

children's accidents in swimming pools

The Most Common Children’s Accidents in Swimming Pools

There are many accidents that a child can have whilst at the swimming pool. Some of the most common accidents include

  • Slipping on wet surfaces
  • Tripping over uneven floors or obstacles left around the poolside
  • Being struck by a falling object
  • Illness as a result of the use, non-use or misuse of certain chemical disinfectants
  • Diving board injuries
  • Broken tiles on the sides or floor of the swimming pools
  • Injuries caused by another child
  • Drowning

Constant supervision of children whilst they are in the pool is essential. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) children under the age of 11 years are most at risk of accidents and drowning in swimming pools, and toddlers are the most vulnerable.

Accidents can occur through inadequate procedures, insufficient training, and being short on staff. Negligence caused by staff can quickly turn what should be a safe and pleasant environment into a perilous one. The swimming pool owner, centre manager, and lifeguards all have a duty of care to ensure swimming pool accidents are avoided, and customers and staff are kept safe. Legislation like the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 clearly sets out their responsibilities.

Claiming on Behalf of a Child

If a child is injured in a swimming pool accident, then you may be able to make a claim on their behalf. In cases where a child has an accident, a parent or guardian may be able to make the claim on their behalf.

Usually in personal injury claims, there is a three-year time limit on making the claim. However, if a child has an accident, this is not the case. When a child is injured, a parent or guardian has until the child turns 18 to make a claim. The child then has a further three years to claim, until they turn 21.

We do recommend, however, that you start the claim on behalf of the child as soon as possible after the accident.

How We Can Help with Children’s Accidents in Swimming Pools

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes children’s accidents in swimming pools. So contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.

Public Accidents in Parks

Parks have become vital to the British public during the COVID-19 pandemic. They spent a long time as many people’s only outside space, and with Love Parks Week approaching, they seem set to remain an important part of Summer 2021. However, there are always risks of public accidents in parks, and you may be unaware that if you have an accident in a park, you may be able to claim compensation.

public accidents in parks

Public Accidents in Parks

The most common type of public accidents in parks are slips, trips and falls. These accidents can happen on public footpaths in parks. They are usually caused by potholes or defects in the ground. There are certain rules when claiming for tripping on a pothole or defect in paving. On a footpath in a park, a pothole or defect must be at least an inch deep or raised.

Another cause of accidents in public parks is accidents in playgrounds. There are many causes of playground accidents. Sometimes, it is the child’s fault, or it is a by-product of playing. These are accidents that cannot be claimed for. However, if the accident was caused by faulty or unsafe playground equipment, then there may be grounds for a claim.

The main cause of accidents due to unsafe playground equipment is poorly maintained equipment. Other causes include broken equipment, poor equipment design, failure to comply to safety standards, poor layout of equipment, incorrect installation, and poor installation.

The Responsibility of Local Authorities

The Highways Act 1980 states that local authorities are responsible for keeping all roads and footpaths safe to use. Keeping all roads and pavements smooth at all times is both unnecessary and impractical. However, a council has a legal duty to repair any damage that occurs to surfaces. They must do this by making repairs within six months of being notified of the risk. If a local council does not do this and someone has an accident, then they may be liable.

If You Have Had an Accident

When you have an accident due to a defect in the footpath in a park, it is important that you take photos of the defect. This will help with your case, as it can be proof of the defect in a claim.

If you have an accident and you have information about the defect, then it can be helpful to note this down too. Details include how long the defect has been there, how often the local council repair defects, and if other people have had accidents in the same place. If the accident was previously reported, how long it took the council to fix the defect, and if they did fix it.

It is important that you report the defect to the council so that they are aware of it. They also need to be aware so that they can fix any defects.

How We Can Help with Public Accidents in Parks

Here at The Compensation Experts we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes public accidents in parks. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly knowledgeable advisors.