Playground Injury Compensation Claims Lawyers

What can cause Playground Accidents?

Playgrounds are generally safe environments for children. Regulations regarding the safety of these spaces are strict, and accidents are not common. However, there are a number of circumstances which may cause injuries to both children and adults, such as:

• Unsafe playground design, layout, or planning
• Irregular or insufficient safety inspections
• Damaged or faulty playground equipment
• Inappropriate signage of known risk hazards
• Disrepair or lack of safety equipment such as fencing or soft tiles

According to statistics about playground safety published by RoSPA, under half of the accidents that happen on playgrounds involve the equipment, and the majority of these accidents result in a fall accident. Common injuries involving playground equipment include being struck by a swing seat, cuts and bruises, and animal injuries - such as dog bites.

The figures regarding injuries in playgrounds indicate the following percentages:

• Swings 40%
• Climbers 23%
• Slides 21%
• Roundabouts 5%
• See-Saws 4%
• Fireman's Poles 1%
• Others 6%

RoSPA clarifies that this does not necessarily mean that swings are more dangerous than other equipment, but simply more common and popular in playgrounds.

Playground Accident Claims are often brought forward as public accidents, as the grounds are usually in public parks and openly accessible. However, these types of claims can also be made as school injury claims if the playground is part of a school, or as fairground accident claims if the injury took place on a private fairground..

What injuries can lead to Playground Injury Claims?

Because of the variety of equipment, games, and activities present at most playgrounds, the types of injuries that can arise from these accidents can also vary. Some of the most common injuries that can happen at playground include:

• Fractures and Broken Bones
• Head Injuries
• Eye Injuries
• Cuts and Scarring Injuries

Most playground accident injuries are not serious, but more severe injuries can happen. It can be devastating to witness a child being seriously injured, especially in a place that should be built with their safety as a top priority. If your child has suffered an injury on a playground, contact us today, and let our Playground Injury Solicitors guide you through the claims process.

How is Playground Injury Compensation calculated?

If you are found to be eligible for a Playground Injury Claim, and your case is successful, you will receive monetary compensation for the accident. This is generally divided into two parts, each designed to compensate you for different aspects of the injury, and how your life, or your child’s, was affected.

The General Damages, also known as award for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity (PSLA), are meant to compensate the injured party for their physical, mental, and emotional pain afflicted by the accident. This also includes the reduction or loss of ability to complete physical and mental tasks for the claimant. The Judicial College has published guidelines which outline the general damage award for different types of injuries, and courts will use them as a starting point to calculate this part of your compensation.

The Special Damages, instead, are calculated as remuneration of actual financial losses you may have incurred as a result of the accident, such as medical and travel expenses, past and future loss of earnings, and adaptations to the home and vehicles in case of injuries causing a short or long-term disability.

Calculating special damages is usually simpler, as long as the proper documentation - such as receipts and proof of expenses - has been kept up to date. Our Playground Injury Solicitors can help you collect all the evidence you need to bring forward a strong case, and receive all the compensation you deserve for your, or your child's accident.

As we take most injury claims on a No Win No Fee basis, you will likely be charged a success fee if your claim is successful. However, PSR Solicitors is proud to offer lower success fees than other firms in the UK when dealing with children injury cases. Our No Win No Fee Solicitors only charge a 15% success fee, instead of the 25% most other solicitors will take when the act on a Conditional Fee Agreement.

What evidence can support my Playground Injury Claim?

Supporting a future claim may not be your first thought following an injury, especially if your child is involved, but having all the evidence you need after the accident may truly make the difference for your case.

It’s incredibly important to collect and document all relevant evidence that may indicate the negligence of a third party in a playground accident. This may include:

• Photographic evidence of risk hazards (nails, glass, unsafe equipment)
• Contact information of the playground manager, or whoever was in charge of the playground’s health and safety protocols
• Statements from other parents who also attend the same playground
• Statements from witnesses of the accident
• Details of the accident - date, time, circumstances. Noting this soon after the accident can help you recollect the events fully

Taking care of any injuries in the aftermath of the incident is of the utmost importance. Medical assistance should be seeked if necessary, and noting down any events following the accident can help. To assist in your Playground Injury Claim, you may also:

• Keep any medical record - reports, scans, statements from medical staff
• Record any medical expense, such as specialist treatment
• Note any additional expense, such as travel expenses, that have incurred because of the accident
• Track any time off work you needed because of the accident

Collecting and documenting evidence for a personal injury claim can massively support your case, and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Our specialists at PSR Solicitors can help you retrieve, collect, and document any relevant piece of evidence, and make sure you have everything you need to build a strong claim.

Do I have a time limit to claim compensation for a playground injury?

Under UK law, personal injury claims are subject to time limits. Most claims must be filed within 3 years of the original accident, but some exceptions are in place.

Most importantly, personal injury claims involving children and minors are subject to the 3 years limit only from the child’s 18th birthday, meaning they may make a claim as an adult up to their 21st birthday.

A claim for a child injury may be filed at any time before the child’s 18th birthday with a litigation friend, who is usually a parent, guardian, or a legal professional who has been appointed for the role.

Similar exemptions exist for claimants who lack mental capacity, who may bring a claim at any time while a patient under the Mental Health Act 1983.

Other time limits apply to criminal injury cases, fatal claims, and other particular injury claims. If you’re unsure of the time limits that may apply to your accident claim, contact one of our Playground Injury Solicitors today, and find out if you have a valid claim.

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