Find out if you can claim compensation for your child’s sports injury at school and understand your legal rights.
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Sports Injury at School Claims
If your child was injured during a PE lesson, sports day or another sporting activity at school, you may be able to make a sports injury at school claim on their behalf. Schools owe pupils a duty of care and may be liable for injuries resulting from negligence.
Sports injuries are common among children and adolescents, and typically include soft tissue injuries, broken bones and concussions. A school may be liable if an injury is caused by poor supervision, broken equipment, unsafe playing grounds, or other failures to meet its legal duties.
If your child was injured at school, a specialist sports injury solicitor can advise you on your options for making a claim. Call 0800 470 0472 today for a free consultation or use our online claim form to request a call back.
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Accepted risks versus negligence in school sports injuries
Not every sports injury at school will lead to a claim. This is because some level of risk and inherent danger is expected when doing physical activities. These are risks that cannot be eliminated and may result in injuries such as bruises, sprains, strains, or dislocations.
However, if a school failed to take reasonable steps to keep pupils safe and this led to an injury, it may be considered negligence rather than an accepted risk. For example:
- Accepted risk – A child falls and breaks their ankle while playing football during PE. If the game was properly supervised, safety rules were followed, and the pitch was safe, this would probably be considered an accepted risk of sport.
- Negligence – A child falls and breaks their ankle while playing football because of a hole in the pitch. If the school failed to inspect the area or allowed the game to proceed despite the hazard, this may constitute negligence.
The key distinction is whether the injury was caused by a failure to take reasonable care.
Can I claim if my child suffers a sports injury at school?
Yes, you may be able to make a child injury claim if your child’s sports injury at school could have been prevented through proper care.
A free consultation with a personal injury lawyer is the easiest way to determine if you are eligible. They may take on your case if you meet the following criteria:
- Your child was owed a legal duty of care.
- The school breached this duty by acting negligently.
- Your child suffered a sports injury as a direct result.
To make a personal injury claim on behalf of your child, you must usually act as their litigation friend. A solicitor can help you fill in and file all the necessary paperwork.
Types of negligence that may lead to a child’s sports injury
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, schools must take reasonable steps to protect the health and safety of their pupils while on school premises or participating in school-related sports activities.
Liability may arise if a child’s injury is not simply the result of the accepted risks of a sports activity, but some type of negligence, such as:
- Allowing children to play without proper supervision
- Unsafe, defective or missing sports equipment
- Poorly maintained swimming pools, fields or playgrounds
- Inadequate risk assessments before activities
- A lack of hygiene in swimming pools and facilities
- Failing to enforce safety rules or instructions
- Failing to respond to hazards such as wet or uneven floors
- Negligent coaching or training
If these failures directly caused the injury, the school, local authority or another responsible body may be held liable for compensation.
Common types of accidents at school sports activities
Accidents during school sports activities can occur in many ways, from simple collisions with other players to severe falls or impact trauma caused by unsafe conditions. The most common types of accidents during PE lessons and other sports activities for which parents may claim compensation include:
- Accidents during swimming lessons, such as slips on wet surfaces or near-drowning.
- Collisions between pupils in contact sports such as football and rugby.
- Falls on unsafe or unsuitable surfaces, such as muddy fields or damaged flooring.
- Accidents caused by unsafe equipment, such as damaged mats or faulty trampolines.
- Accidents during outdoor activities, school events and sports days.
- Injuries from overexertion or excessive training.
All of these and other scenarios may lead to a claim if it can be shown that the school failed to take reasonable care to protect your child.
What is the time limit for a sports injury at school claim?
Typically, there is a 3-year time limit to make a personal injury claim, starting from the date of the injury. However, under the Limitation Act 1980, this limitation period does not apply in the same way to child injury claims.
You can claim for a sports injury at school at any time before your child turns 18. If no claim is made, they have until 21 to pursue compensation on their own once they reach adulthood.
Although child injury claims have longer time limits, starting early will help your solicitor gather evidence and may strengthen your case.
How do I make a sports injury at school claim for my child?
If your child has been injured during school sports activities and you want to make a claim for compensation, you should take the following steps:
- Seek medical attention. This will ensure your child receives proper care and that a medical record is created.
- Report the accident. Inform the school about the injury and request a signed copy of the accident report.
- Gather evidence. Take photos of their injuries and hazards, ask for contact details of witnesses and keep all receipts for related expenses.
- Contact a solicitor. A specialist solicitor will assess your case, establish liability and guide you through the school sports injury claims process.
- Letter of claim. A formal claim notification form or letter of claim will be sent to the school or its insurer, outlining the compensation you seek.
- Negotiations or court proceedings. Most cases are settled through negotiations, but your solicitor may issue court proceedings if liability is denied or a fair settlement can’t be reached.
How much compensation can I claim for a school sports injury?
The amount of compensation you could claim for a sports accident at school depends on the type and severity of the injuries suffered, the impact on the child’s life and development, and the related financial losses. This will cover two types of damages:
General damages for pain, suffering, loss of amenity and loss of enjoyment of life.
Special damages for the financial impact, such as:
- Prescriptions and private treatment
- Travel expenses to medical appointments
- Rehabilitation and counselling
- Home tutors and special care needs
- Loss of earnings if you took time off work to care for your child
Compensation for school sports injuries is assessed based on the guidelines published by the Judicial College, 18th Edition. Based on the extent of the injury and its impact, your child could be awarded:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Achilles Tendon | Partial rupture or significant Achilles tendon damage | £17,000 - £28,000 |
| Ankle Injuries | An ankle fracture or ligament tear causing some permanent symptoms, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground | £18,000 - £35,000 |
| Arm Injuries | A serious fracture of one or both forearms causing permanent functional or cosmetic disability | £52,000 - £79,000 |
| Back Injuries | Back injuries causing chronic conditions and permanent disabilities | £51,000 - £92,000 |
| Brain Damage | A brain injury with full recovery within three years | £2,900 - £17,000 |
| Fractured Jaw | A simple jaw fracture requiring immobilisation, with complete recovery | £8,500 - £12,000 |
| Fractured Nose | A displaced nose fracture not requiring surgery, with complete recovery | £3,300 - £4,200 |
| Knee Injuries | A significant knee injury causing ongoing pain, restricted movement or instability | £35,000 - £57,000 |
| Shoulder Injuries | A clavicle fracture | £6,800 - £16,000 |
| Wrist Injuries | A wrist injury causing some permanent disability, such as ongoing pain and stiffness | £17,000 - £32,000 |
A specialist personal injury solicitor will be able to provide you with an estimate of your compensation prospects during a free case assessment.
Can I make a no win no fee sports injury at school claim?
Yes. School accident claims, including for sports injuries, can be handled on a no win no fee basis by our partner personal injury claims solicitors.
This means you don’t need to pay any legal fees upfront or pay your solicitor for their work if you lose the claim. If your claim succeeds, a success fee is deducted from the compensation for general damages and past financial losses. This is capped by law at 25%.
This service can reduce the financial risk of starting a claim for your child’s school injuries.
What types of injuries can lead to a school sports accident claim?
A school injury compensation claim can arise from various types of injuries during sports, including:
- Sprains, strains and tears from awkward twists on uneven playing fields.
- Broken bones from tackles, poorly maintained equipment or falls.
- Concussions and head injuries from collisions, lack of protective gear or poor coaching.
- Cuts, bruises and lacerations from damaged equipment or tripping on poorly maintained grounds.
- Back and neck injuries due to a lack of proper supervision or instruction.
- Dental and facial injuries from a lack of protective equipment.
What evidence do I need for a school sports injury claim?
To succeed in a sports injury claim, you must prove that the school was negligent and your child suffered harm as a result. Helpful evidence to support a claim includes:
- Medical records establishing the nature and severity of your child’s sports injuries.
- An independent expert report to confirm the diagnosis and long-term impact.
- Visual evidence, such as photographs, videos or CCTV footage of the accident and the injuries sustained.
- Witness statements from teachers, coaches or other pupils who saw the accident.
- A copy of an official accident report from the school detailing the date, time and circumstances of the injury.
- Any correspondence with the school regarding the incident, such as emails or letters.
- Records of maintenance schedules and safety procedures from the school.
- Receipts, invoices and other documents proving related financial losses.
Your solicitor will help you gather the evidence you need to claim compensation for your child’s sports accident and injury.
Frequently asked questions
The school may be liable if the activity was not adequately supervised, it was aware of behavioural issues from the other pupil, or it failed to manage other known risks.
If your child has been injured in a school sports activity, we can help you understand whether you may have a valid claim and how much compensation you could be entitled to.
Call 0800 470 0472 today or use our online contact form to ask for a free initial consultation and legal advice.
