17 Aug, 2023/ by National Accident Helpline /News
Common places for children's accidents in public
Children's accidents are a common occurrence. They not only happen at home but can also happen in public. When children have accidents in public, there are common places these tend to occur. We look at some of these below.
Public parks and playgrounds
Accidents in playgrounds happen frequently. In fact, around 40,000 injuries occur in children's playgrounds yearly, resulting in the need for a hospital visit. These can be due to several reasons such as equipment not being maintained correctly or children not being supervised when they should be. Your child could suffer an injury due to, for example, damaged playground rides.
Roads and Pavements
Accidents in public places include accidents on roads and pavements. For example, your child could be struck by a falling object or fall due to a pothole. They may also suffer an accident in public on the pavement due to defective paving.
Shops and shopping centres
Children can also suffer an accident in a public place such as a shop. For example, in a supermarket where they may slip due to a spillage on the floor. A child could also be injured as a result of a defective trolley, items falling from shelves, or other hazards.
Car parks
Children's accidents in public can also occur in car parks, including those owned privately, by councils or the business they're attached to. A child could suffer an injury, for example, by slipping on an ungritted surface during cold weather or getting trapped in a faulty lift door. Additionally, there is always a chance of accidents involving vehicles.
School
Accidents at school are quite common too. This includes when out in public on a school trip. Accidents in public places such as schools can happen inside the school building because, for example, areas have not been maintained properly. A child's accident could happen because the floors are wet, appropriate warning signs haven't been put in place and they could slip.
Your child could also suffer an injury at school when playing sports or because another child hurts them.
What type of children's accidents could occur?
Many types of children's accidents can occur through an accident in public. Some of the types of accidents that occur are:
- trips and falls
- an injury due to faulty equipment
- something falling on top of your child
- road traffic accidents
What injuries could a child experience in public?
A child can experience a range of injuries from an accident in public. For example, they can suffer with:
- emotional damage
- physical injuries
- brain injury
- poor wellbeing
Sometimes the injuries a child suffers from an accident in public could mean that a serious injury claim can be made. A serious injury claim is where the injury your child experienced means that:
- their development is affected
- they have a condition or pain they did not previously suffer from
- as a result of their injury in public, they spend a long time in the hospital
- their public injury meant you or another family member had to take a lot of time off work
Whatever the injury your child suffers in a public place, it is very upsetting to see them suffer as a result of another's negligence.
Who is liable for a child's accident in public?
A public place is an open place we can all access and that can include our children. When a child has an accident in a public place someone will be liable for the accident, and it is natural for you to wonder who.
If you or the child is not at fault for the accident in public, the owner of the public place is likely to be liable. They should have put measures in place to prevent an accident and have, therefore, may have acted negligently.
What to do if your child has an accident in public?
If your child has an accident in a public place, there are several things you need to do. Your priority is always your child's safety and recovery. However, if your child has had an accident in public, you may want to make an accident claim for them. Therefore, you will need to think about what you may need as evidence for this. Ensure that you:
- report the accident straight away
- get a medical assessment as soon as possible after the injury
- take a photo of the injury
- take photos or video of the accident scene
- ask for witness details
- ensure the accident or injury is recorded by those in charge of the public place
Is it possible to claim for a child's accident and injuries?
If your child has unfortunately suffered an accident in public, they may be entitled to compensation. This is the case where the accident or injury was not your child's fault. Whilst money will never make up for your child's suffering due to an accident in public, it can help make a difference in their life going forward.
You may have until your child reaches 18 to make the accident compensation claim for them. Making an accident claim for an accident that happened in public must be made once the child reaches an adult at 18, three years after the accident occurred or after they are aware of the accident.
You can make a claim for your child's accident and injuries on their behalf as their ‘litigation friend'. There are several different people a court can appoint as a litigation friend and these include:
- you as the parent and guardian
- other family members over the age of 18
- a solicitor
- a professional advocate
- a Court of Protection deputy
- the person with the lasting power of attorney
A court will ensure that they choose a ‘litigation friend' whose interests do not clash with the child and can make fair decisions for them. The court will protect any compensation your child receives until they reach the age of 18. However, they can release payment earlier as needed for their care, and a solicitor can set up a personal injury trust.
How do you start a child accident claim?
Starting a child accident claim with National Accident Helpline is straightforward and stress-free. We understand how important it is to claim an accident in publicwhich affected your child. It is extremely upsetting to see your child in pain and discomfort and more so when you know it is the fault of another which could have been prevented. It is, therefore, essential that you make a public accident claim to get them the compensation they deserve.
To start an accident in a public claim with National Accident Helpline and gain the compensation your child is owed, simply speak to one of our helpful and friendly advisors. They will see if you potentially have a compensation claim. If so, one of our highly competent solicitors will ensure your child gets their compensation as soon as possible.
Call us today at and we will begin your compensation claim immediately. You can even start the process online if it's easier, or just ask us to call you back here to start your child's accident in public.
Get friendly, helpful advice from National Accident Helpline
Making a compensation claim with us at National Accident Helpline starts with friendly and helpful advice. We even make sure that you get an idea of how much compensation you could claim with our compensation calculator.
National Accident Helpline offers you a no-win no-fee basis compensation claim. This takes any risk out of making a claim. We want to ensure we help you to make sure your child gets the accident in public compensation they are due.
Call us at to begin your compensation claim today or you can start the process online if you prefer. Alternatively, ask us to call you back here to start your accident in a public claim.
Last updated 17.08.23