Playgrounds should be a place for fun, freedom and safe play for your children. But if your child has been hurt while using one, you’re probably left with questions. Can someone be held responsible? Was it just an accident, or something more? What should you do next?
If you’re thinking of making a playground injury claim, you’re in the right place. In this guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know, whether your child was hurt at a school playground or on council-managed equipment.
What is a playground injury claim?
A playground accident compensation claim is a type of personal injury claim made when a child is hurt due to unsafe conditions or negligence in a play area. Claims usually focus on injuries that were caused by someone else’s failure to keep the space safe, whether that’s a school, local council or private landowner.
How do children get hurt on the playground?
While playing as a child can come with some risk, not all accidents are just part of growing up. If negligence played a role in an injury, you might have grounds to claim. The most common injuries that led to claims include:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Head injuries or concussion
- Deep cuts or lacerations
- Dislocations and sprains
- Back or neck injuries
- Dental damage from falls or impact
These injuries often require hospital visits, time off school and work, or even longer-term recovery periods.
Where do playground accidents usually happen?
From schools and public parks to soft play centres and local parks, injuries can happen in a wide range of playground settings. Common causes include:
- Broken or poorly maintained equipment – such as rusted climbing frames or loose bolts.
- Unsafe surfaces – like hard ground without proper safety surfacing or slippery areas.
- Lack of supervision – especially in school settings where staff are responsible for keeping children safe.
- Inadequate design or layout – including equipment unsuitable for the child’s age group.
Who is responsible for playground safety?
When a child is injured at a playground, as a parent you’ll want to know who exactly is at fault. This will depend on where the accident happened and who has a legal duty of care to keep the space safe.
This duty of care means the responsible party must regularly inspect and maintain the area, fix known hazards and take steps to prevent foreseeable injuries. If they fail in their duty and your child is hurt as a result, you could hold them legally responsible. We’ve put together a list of who might be liable depending on the type of playground involved:
School playground injuries
If your child was hurt at school, like during break time or in a PE lesson, the school could be held responsible. Teachers and staff are expected to supervise children appropriately and make sure that all playground equipment is safe and suitable for use.
If your child was hurt at a school playground due to lack of supervision, faulty equipment or unsafe surfaces, you might have grounds to sue the school. These claims usually fall under public liability or employer’s liability, depending on how the school is managed.
Local council playground injuries
Many public parks and playgrounds are managed by local councils. This means the council has a duty to carry out regular inspections, fix hazards promptly and ensure the area meets health and safety standards.
If your child was injured in a council-run park, you may be able to make a public park injury child claim – especially if broken equipment, poor maintenance or unsafe conditions played a role.
Third party playground injuries
Some playgrounds, like ones in shopping centres, restaurants or privately-run play centres, are the responsibility of private companies or landowners. These parties must also meet safety standards, carry out regular checks and supervise children if needs be.
In these cases, a public park injury child claim or compensation request would be directed at the business or individual responsible, rather than a school or council.
Can you sue the school or council for a playground injury?
So, can you sue a school for injury in the UK, or make a claim against the council for playground injury? If a school, council or other organisation failed to keep a playground safe, and that led to your child’s injury, you could bring a playground injury claim to them.
To make a successful claim, these three things must be true:
- The party involved owed your child a duty of care — Schools and councils are legally responsible for keeping children safe in their care.
- The party involved breached that duty — This could be failing to maintain equipment or provide proper supervision.
- That breach caused the injury — You’ll need to show a direct link between their actions, or inaction, and your child’s accident.
Our expert personal injury lawyers can help prove all of this by gathering evidence, speaking to witnesses and showing the impact on your child’s life. Get in touch with us to learn more.
What to do if your child is injured in a playground
If your child has been hurt on a playground, knowing your next steps can make a real difference. This can be essential for proper recovery and any future playground injury claim. Bear in mind, the more evidence you can gather early on, the stronger your case will be. Follow these simple steps if a playground injury occurs:
1. Seek medical attention
Always get your child checked out, even if the injury seems minor. A medical record will also create a clear link between the accident and the injury, and will make sure your child gets the care they need.
2. Report the incident
Let the school, council or whoever manages the playground know what happened. Ask them to record it in their accident log and request a copy if you can. This creates a formal record of the incident.
3. Gather evidence
Take photos of the scene, especially anything that looks unsafe like broken equipment or hard surfaces. If anyone saw the accident happen, ask for their contact details so they can give a witness statement later.
4. Keep records
Hold on to all receipts, hospital letters and details of any treatment your child receives. If you’ve had to take time off work, include that too. These records help show the full impact of the injury in a physical, emotional and financial sense.
At Injury Lawyers 4U, we’ll use this evidence to build a case and establish what went wrong and who’s at fault.
Can a parent claim on behalf of their child?
As a parent or guardian, you can make a playground injury claim on behalf of your child. Because children can’t start legal claims themselves, the law allows a trusted adult to act as their litigation friend. This means you’ll take charge instead, working with the solicitor, making decisions in your child’s best interests and guiding the claim through.
While there is no time limit to start a claim while your child is under 18, once they reach adulthood the standard three-year time limit applies.
How we can help with a playground injury claim
We understand how upsetting it is when a child gets hurt and we’re here to make the legal side as simple and stress-free as possible. At Injury Lawyers 4u, we work on a no-win, no-fee basis, so there’s nothing to pay upfront and no risk if your claim doesn’t succeed.
With years of experience handling cases against schools, councils and other authorities, we know exactly what it takes to get results. Ready to talk? Our friendly team is here to help. Get in touch today.
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation can I claim for my child’s playground injury?
The amount of compensation awarded for a playground injury claim will depend on the severity of the injury and how it’s affected your child’s life. Minor injuries may lead to compensation of a few thousand pounds, while more serious cases can reach tens of thousands. Our team will assess your situation carefully to make sure the amount claimed reflects the full impact on your child and family. For a good idea of your child’s general damages, the amount awarded for pain and suffering, use our handy compensation calculator.
Will my child need to go to court?
In most cases, a court appearance shouldn’t be necessary. Playground injury claims are usually settled outside of court. Court is only needed if the other side disputes the claim or refuses to offer fair compensation.
What if the school says it was just an accident?
Even if the school claims it was a simple accident, you may still be able to claim if negligence was involved. If supervision was lacking or equipment was unsafe, that might be enough to prove liability and support a compensation claim.
How long does a playground injury claim take?
Most claims are resolved within six to 12 months, but more complex cases can take longer. Timelines will vary depending on the severity of the injury, how clear liability is and how quickly evidence can be gathered.
Is legal support available on a no-win, no-fee basis?
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we offer no-win, no-fee support for all playground injury claims. That means there’s nothing to pay upfront, and you won’t owe us anything if your claim doesn’t succeed. This is a risk-free way to get expert legal help when you need it most.
Can I still claim if the accident happened a while ago?
If your child is under 18, there’s no time limit to claim on their behalf. Once they turn 18, they’ll have three years until their 21st birthday to bring their own claim. If you’re unsure whether you’re still within the time limit, get in touch with us and we’ll help you work it out.