Guide to Children's Accident Claims

Sometimes an accident cannot be prevented and minors can be hurt, but are they always to blame for the incident? And if the child is not responsible and there were other factors involved, when is it suitable to pursue a compensation claim?

Take the example of a child in a playground, perhaps falling off a climbing frame. What are the potential legal issues in this case?

Was the climbing frame faulty?
Was the surface of the ground underneath the frame sufficiently padded or covered by a soft material, such as bark?
If at a school, nursery or play- group, was there adequate supervision?
Was another child involved?

As you can see, there are a number of factors to be considered, which is why child accident claims need such specialist consideration.

Other examples where, if a child sustains an injury, a compensation claim might be acceptable are:
Poorly protected building sites (even if the child was trespassing)
Car or bicycle accidents
Malfunctioning toys or play equipment
Accidents that occur in the schoolroom, playing field, or civic space (a theatre, concert hall, public swimming pool or sports stadium for example)

In these examples, other people are responsible for ensuring optimum safety and security regulations are in place for any children and if you feel that these were not 100% effective a claim can be made.

Our 1stClaims solicitors are highly qualified and are carefully chosen by one of our directors, a personal injury solicitor with over 17 years experience in this field. Our solicitors will look after your child's needs with sympathy and care and will ensure that the needs of the child in question are put first.

When putting together a compensation claim for your child we would also consider a number of issues that may have affected him or her as a result of the accident, or which may have an effect in the future.

For example:
How much pain and suffering child sustained
The cost of medical or physiotherapy bills that may have been charged
The effect on the child's confidence and mental stability
Any long term effects as a result of the accident, which could have a significant impact on your child’s life and future career

For further information regarding personal injury claims please visit our website.

By Nick Jervis