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.
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.