If you have an accident on nursery, school, college or university premises which was someone else’s fault, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. Schools and educational institutions have a duty of care to ensure the safety, so far as is reasonably practicable, of those using their facilities.
At Breens, we assist a range of individuals with school-related accidents including parents, students, teachers and other visitors to the school premises.
Common accidents that take place at school include:
- Slips or trips on the premises
- Injury resulting from defective equipment
- Accidents in the gym or during sporting activities
- Food poisoning
- Injuries sustained through heavy lifting
- Accidents due to inadequate supervision
School accident claims
There are a wide range of circumstances in which a compensation claim may be possible. For example, if you are injured because of a slip or trip within the school grounds or buildings resulting from the surfaces being inadequately maintained, this could result in a claim. You may also be able to claim if your injury is because of poorly maintained or defective equipment such as desks, chairs or playground equipment. Another common occurrence is accidents that result from inadequate supervision or guidance – for example, during science or cooking lessons. In some cases we can also help those who have been assaulted whilst at school.
In such circumstances, although you or your child has suffered an injury, you may feel reluctant to make a claim because of concerns that the relationship with your child’s school and the staff involved may be damaged. In most cases, however, it is the Local Education Authority that has responsibility for the school’s actions so there is no need to be concerned, and you can be assured that our highly experienced team are accustomed to handling these matters with a high degree of sensitivity.
What to do if you have an accident on school premises
If you injure yourself on school premises and someone else is to blame, there are a number of steps you can take to increase your chances of successfully claiming compensation:
- Report the accident to the teacher or person in charge
- Ensure the accident is recorded in the accident book
- Note down the contact details of any witnesses to the accident
- Take photos of the area where the accident happened and any defective equipment if applicable
If the accident results from a slip or trip because of a poorly maintained surface, photograph the surface – with a ruler to highlight the defect if possible.
Keep receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses such as for medical treatment, travel costs and prescriptions.
Seek expert legal advice as soon as possible.
The personal injury team at Breens is highly experienced in dealing with all types of school accident claims and can advise you on your prospects of making a successful claim, without obligation.
Make A Free Enquiry
To make a free enquiry please either call us on Southport 01704 532890, Liverpool 0151 928 6544 or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we will soon be in touch.