If your child has been injured on a school trip, you’re likely feeling overwhelmed, upset and unsure of what to do next. School outings are meant to be fun experiences, not a cause for fear. If an accident has happened due to negligence, it’s important to understand your rights and the steps you can take to seek justice.
In this guide, we’ll look at school trip accident claims, who might be responsible, how to act on behalf of your child, the evidence needed, time limits for claiming, and how Injury Lawyers 4u can support you throughout the entire process.
What counts as a school trip injury claim?
A school trip injury claim in the UK happens when a child is injured on a school trip due to negligence. These incidents can range from minor cuts and bruises to more serious injuries or even psychological trauma.
Even if an injury seems minor, if it was caused by negligence, you could still have grounds for a claim. Common types of accidents include:
Slips, trips and falls due to unsafe conditions
Slips, trips and falls can happen because of poorly maintained pathways, wet floors without warning signs or obstacles that weren’t cleared properly.
Injuries during outdoor or adventure activities
Outdoor injuries or sports injuries, like accidents during climbing, hiking or water sports can happen if equipment was faulty or supervision was inadequate.
Transport-related incidents
Road traffic incidents include collisions involving the bus or coach, or injuries sustained due to unsafe boarding or disembarking procedures.
Food-related illnesses or allergic reactions
If your child suffers food poisoning or a severe allergic reaction due to staff failing to check dietary requirements or cross-contamination.
Injuries from lack of proper supervision or staff negligence
This could be anything from your child being left unsupervised and getting into an accident, to staff not intervening in bullying that led to an injury.
Both physical and psychological harm are considered in school duty of care injury cases.
Who’s responsible for children’s safety on trips?
So, who is liable for a school trip accident? Schools have a legal duty of care to keep students safe during trips. However, responsibility can extend to:
- Third-party providers — If an activity centre, museum or other venue is part of the trip, they also have a duty to ensure their premises and activities are safe.
- Transport companies — If the accident involves transport, the bus or coach company and its driver may be held liable for negligence – for example, if they failed to adhere to road traffic laws.
- Tour organisers or venue operators — If a specific tour operator organises some or all of the trip, or a venue was responsible for the location where the injury occurred, they could share liability.
Negligence can involve failure to conduct risk assessments, inadequate supervision or not obtaining proper consent. Multiple parties can share liability if their actions contributed to the incident. Our experienced child injury solicitors can help you determine who is legally responsible for what. Get in touch to learn more.
Can a parent claim on behalf of their child?
In the UK, you can act as a litigation friend as a parent or guardian to make a school trip injury claim on behalf of your child. This role involves making decisions in the child’s best interest throughout the legal process.
What evidence do you need to make a successful claim?
Gathering evidence is crucial for a successful school trip accident claim. The more information you can provide, the stronger your case will be. Try to get together the following:
- Medical reports or treatment records — These documents confirm the extent and nature of your child’s injuries and any ongoing treatment needed.
- School incident reports and logs — The school should have documented the accident. Request a copy of their official report.
- Photos of injuries, accident scenes or unsafe conditions — Visual evidence can be powerful evidence.
- Witness accounts from staff, students or other parents — Statements from anybody that saw the accident or the conditions leading up to it can be very helpful.
- Correspondence with the school or trip organisers — Any emails, letters or notes from conversations about the incident can be useful evidence.
- Documentation of emotional or psychological impact — If your child has suffered psychological trauma, keep a record of any changes in their behaviour, sleep or mood, and any professional support they receive for it.
Solid evidence will strengthen your claim and help demonstrate the extent of the harm caused to your child. Don’t worry if you’re unsure what you need to get. Our solicitors can help you gather evidence throughout the process.
How long do you have to claim for a child’s injury?
The time limit for making injury claims for children is generally longer than for adults. If you’re acting as a litigation friend, you could start a claim at any time before your child turns 18.
After that, your child has until their 21st birthday to make a claim themselves. Either way, you should aim to start the process as soon as possible to make sure all evidence is preserved and to reduce the stress of any prolonged uncertainty.
What to do if your child has been injured on a school trip
A school trip accident can be distressing for both you and your child. At Injury Lawyers 4u, we specialise in handling school-related injury claims and understand the unique challenges they can throw up. Our no-win, no-fee promise means you won’t face financial risk when seeking compensation.
If you’re ready to get started on a personal injury child at school claim, get in touch with our experts today.
Frequently asked questions
What if the school says the accident wasn’t their fault?
Even if the school denies responsibility for the school trip accident, you could still have a valid claim. Determining liability means establishing who owed a duty of care and whether that duty was breached. Our solicitors can help investigate the case and gather evidence to prove negligence, even if the school disagrees.
Can I claim for emotional trauma my child experienced?
If your child suffers psychological trauma like anxiety or post-traumatic stress (PTSD) as a result of the accident, this can be included in a claim.
Does it matter if the accident happened abroad?
Claiming for a child injury on holiday or school trip abroad can be more complex, as different legal systems might apply. However, it doesn’t necessarily prevent you from making a claim.
Will my child need to attend court?
In most cases, child injury claims are settled out of court. This means your child likely won’t need to attend. If a court appearance is necessary, measures will always be taken by the court to ensure the process is as comfortable and stress-free as possible for your child.