Child Accident Claims Solicitors

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Child accident claims are a type of personal injury claim that may arise when a child has been injured because those responsible for their safety failed to protect them from avoidable harm. Compensation awarded in a successful claim could help address the effects of a child’s injury while also recognising any financial impact the accident has had on the family. At Personal Injury Solicitors London, our specialist solicitors have decades of experience helping families pursue compensation for child injuries where reasonable safety standards were not met. Working on a No Win No Fee basis, we can guide eligible claims without upfront solicitor fees to pay.

Seeing a child injured can be particularly distressing for parents and guardians. While supporting their child’s recovery, many families are left dealing with uncertainty about the impact the injury may have on the child’s wellbeing and future. At Personal Injury Solicitors London, our experienced solicitors have decades of experience helping parents and guardians seek compensation on behalf of their child. Having secured over £100 million in compensation for claimants, our team understands the practical, financial and emotional impact a child’s injury can have on families and provides specialist legal guidance and support throughout every stage of the claims process.

Organisations responsible for children’s safety may have a legal duty to protect them from avoidable harm. Where that responsibility has not been met, the available evidence may help establish whether a claim could be pursued on a child’s behalf.

Contact Personal Injury Solicitors London today for a free consultation to discuss your child’s accident and find out whether compensation could be pursued on their behalf.

Calling 0207 362 2085
Filling out the contact form.
Use our live chat to find out more about claiming on behalf of your child.

What Are Child Accident Claims?

Child accident claims allow compensation to be claimed on behalf of children who have been injured in accidents caused by another person’s or organisation’s actions or omissions. Because those under the age of 18 cannot conduct legal proceedings themselves, a litigation friend can act on their behalf and make decisions in the child’s best interests throughout the claim.

Bringing a claim on behalf of an injured child can feel unfamiliar for many families. The solicitors at Personal Injury Solicitors London have experience working with parents and guardians acting as litigation friends, helping ensure that the child’s interests remain the priority throughout the claim.

To discuss whether a compensation claim could be pursued on behalf of your child, contact our advisors for free, tailored advice about child accident claims and the role of a litigation friend.

Who Could Make A Child Accident Claim?

A child accident claim can be pursued by a parent, guardian or another suitable adult acting on behalf of an injured child. The adult acting as their litigation friend will need to ensure that decisions are made in their child’s best interest throughout the claims process.

To pursue a child accident claim, you must show that your child’s injury resulted from circumstances where another party failed to take reasonable steps to protect their safety. This may apply to accidents involving children in a range of settings.

When deciding whether a personal injury claim, including child accident claims, has merit, our solicitors will consider the following criteria.

Was Your Child Owed A Duty Of Care?

The person or organisation responsible for the circumstances surrounding the accident must have owed the child a duty of care. A duty of care is a legal responsibility to take reasonable steps to protect someone, including children, from foreseeable harm. Establishing that this responsibility existed is an important part of determining whether a child accident claim can move forward.

Did Another Party Fail To Meet That Responsibility?

It will be necessary to show that reasonable safety standards were not followed. In other words, the responsible party failed to take reasonable steps to prevent an avoidable injury.

Did Your Child Sustain An Injury?

There must be evidence that your child suffered an injury as a result of the responsible party’s failure to meet the correct safety standards. This may include physical injuries and/or psychological injuries that have affected their health or everyday life. It could be permanent lifelong injuries or a more minor condition that heals within a matter of weeks.

How To Make A Child Injury Claim Once Turned 18

If a child accident claim was not pursued during childhood, the injured person will be able to start their own claim once they reach the age of 18. In England and Wales, the limitation period for child injury claims is suspended until the child’s 18th birthday. This generally means they have until their 21st birthday to begin court proceedings from this date.

Once they turn 18, the injured person no longer needs a litigation friend and can make decisions about the claim themselves. This allows them to pursue compensation for injuries sustained during childhood, provided the relevant limitation period has not expired.

If you are unsure whether a child accident claim can still be pursued, our solicitors can explain the applicable time limits and advise on the options available to you.

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How Might A Child Sustain An Injury?

Children can sustain injuries in many different environments, including places where they learn, play and travel. Child accident claims may arise when a child’s accident could have been prevented because another party failed to take reasonable steps to keep them safe. The circumstances surrounding the incident will often play an important role in establishing whether a claim can be pursued.

School Accident Claims

School accident claims may arise when a child is injured during school activities or while under the school’s care. Our solicitors can review what happened and explain whether compensation may be available on your child’s behalf.

Learn more in our accident at school claims guide.

Playground Accident Claims

Playground accident claims can arise when a child is injured in a playground, and the accident may have been preventable. Establishing whether the playground was properly inspected and maintained can help identify whether another party may be responsible for the injury.

Child Road Traffic Accident Claims

Child road traffic accident claims may arise when a child is injured in a collision involving a vehicle. This may occur if your child is travelling as a passenger, cycling or a pedestrian. Our solicitors can help establish how the collision occurred and explain the options available to your family.

For more information, see our guide to road traffic accident claims.

Sports And Recreational Accidents

Children can suffer injuries while taking part in sporting or recreational activities. While not every injury will result in a claim, as there is some degree of risk that is accepted when participating in sporting events, if the accident could have been prevented, compensation may be available.

Public Place Accidents Involving Children

Public-place accidents involving children can occur when visiting public locations. The facts of the incident will often determine whether a public liability claim may arise.

For further information, see our guide on public liability claims.

Child Injury Claims After Dog Attacks

Child injury claims after dog attacks may arise where a dog owner failed to properly control their animal. In addition to physical injuries, compensation may also take into account any psychological impact the incident has had on your child.

Our dog bite compensation claims guide provides further details.

Child Accident At Work Claims

Although there are strict rules governing young workers, accidents can still occur in workplaces employing children or young people. Children are owed the same duty of care as adults in the workplace. This means that the employer must take reasonable and practicable steps to keep them safe. Our solicitors can advise families on whether a workplace injury claim could be brought on a young person’s behalf.

See our guide on accident at work claims for more information.

Contact our team today for free advice about your child’s accident and the options available to your family.

How Could An Accident Affect An Injured Child?

An accident can affect an injured child in many different ways, as some injuries may cause ongoing pain and limit everyday activities, while others can have an emotional impact or affect a child’s education and development. While some children make a full recovery within a relatively short period, others may experience difficulties that continue into adulthood. Child accident claims can take into account both the immediate impact of an injury and any longer-term consequences it may have for a child’s future.

Examples of how an accident could affect an injured child include:

A broken wrist that prevents participation in hobbies or school activities during recovery.
Soft tissue injuries that cause temporary restrictions on everyday activities.
Facial injuries that result in visible scarring and affect a child’s confidence.
Psychological injuries, such as anxiety or a fear of returning to the location where the accident occurred.
Extended absences from school that disrupt a child’s learning.
Serious injuries that reduce a child’s independence and require support with daily activities.
Life-altering injuries that result in permanent wheelchair use and require long-term care or adaptations to the child’s living environment.

The solicitors at Personal Injury Solicitors London can assess the full impact of your child’s injury to help ensure that all relevant aspects of the claim are taken into account.

How Much Compensation Could Be Awarded For Child Accident Claims?

The amount of compensation awarded in child accident claims will depend on the nature of their injury and the impact it has on their life. When assessing child injury compensation claims, our solicitors consider both the pain and suffering caused by the injury and any financial losses that have arisen as a result.

Compensation for the injury itself is known as general damages. This part of a claim is intended to reflect the physical and psychological effects of the injuries sustained, including any ongoing symptoms and impact on your child’s future.

To help value general damages, our solicitors refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). The JCG is a list used by legal professionals as it contains guideline compensation for a range of injuries. These guidelines are frequently called upon when assessing the potential value of personal injury compensation claims.

The table below contains examples of compensation brackets taken from the JCG, apart from the first entry. The figures are intended as guidance only. Every child accident compensation claim is assessed on its own facts, and the final amount awarded will depend on the specific circumstances of the case and the evidence available.

Nature of Injury	Additional Details	Compensation Guideline
Multiple Injuries Of A Severe Nature And Related Costs	Very severe injuries alongside expenses such as home and vehicle adaptations, parents’ lost income and respite care.	Up to £1,000,000+
Very Severe Brain Damage	Little meaningful response to surroundings with full-time nursing care required	£372,570 to £533,720
Severe Leg Injury (i) The Most Serious Injuries Short Of Amputation	Extensive degloving, non-union fractures or severe shortening of the leg.	£127,160 to £179,560
Severe Neck Injury (ii)	Serious fractures or disc damage causing substantial loss of movement and limb function.	£86,860 to £172,970
Very Severe Facial Scarring	Severe and permanent facial disfigurement with a significant psychological impact.	£39,340 to £128,590
Serious Hand Injury	Permanent reduction in grip strength, dexterity and hand function.	£38,310 to £81,790
Fractures Of Jaws (i)	Multiple fractures causing permanent pain, eating difficulties and long-term complications.	£40,280 to £60,160
Serious Wrist Injury (b)	Significant permanent disability despite retaining some useful movement.	£32,370 to £51,750
Le Fort Fractures Of Frontal Facial Bones	Serious facial fractures often requiring surgery and extensive treatment.	£31,460 to £48,540
Damage To Teeth (i)	Loss of or serious damage to several front teeth.	£11,540 to £15,080

Our advisors can provide a free assessment of your child’s claim and offer guidance on the compensation that may be available. Contact us today to discuss your child’s injuries.

Can Child Injury Compensation Cover Other Financial Losses?

Yes, child injury compensation can cover certain financial losses arising from the accident, provided those losses can be linked to the injury and supported by appropriate evidence. While general damages compensate for the injury itself, special damages may be available for expenses and financial consequences incurred by the child or their family as a result of the accident. Our solicitors can assess the circumstances of the claim and help identify losses that may otherwise be overlooked.

Examples of financial losses that could form part of child accident claims include:

Medical expenses arising from your child’s injury.
Travel costs incurred while attending appointments relating to your child’s treatment and recovery.
The cost of additional care or support required following your child’s accident.
Rehabilitation expenses aimed at supporting your child’s recovery and development.
Specialist educational support needed because your child’s injuries have affected their learning.
Home adaptations required to accommodate your child’s long-term needs.
Vehicle adaptations required to assist with your child’s mobility.
Future financial losses arising from the long-term effects of your child’s injuries.

Recovering these losses will require evidence of the financial impact the accident has had on your family. Our solicitors can advise on the documentation needed to support this part of the claim.

Parental Loss Of Earnings While Caring For A Child

A parent or guardian may need to take time away from work following their child’s accident to provide additional care and support. In more serious cases, a reduction in working hours or an extended period of absence may be necessary while the child recovers from their injuries.

Where this results in a loss of income, it may be possible to include those losses within a child accident compensation claim. Our solicitors can assess whether lost earnings form part of the claim and help calculate the financial impact the injury has had on the family.

Any claim for lost earnings will need to be supported by documentary evidence showing the reduction in income. Our solicitors can review the available information and help ensure that these losses are properly calculated and presented as part of the claim.

What Evidence Could Strengthen A Child Accident Claim?

The evidence that could strengthen a child accident claim will depend on the issues in dispute, as medical records can help demonstrate the child’s injuries, photographs could show the accident scene, while witness contact details may allow your solicitor to obtain evidence about what happened. Evidence may also be used to demonstrate the impact the injury has had on your child and your family.

Depending on the circumstances, our solicitors may be able to obtain:

Medical records documenting your child’s injuries and treatment.
Independent medical evidence assessing the extent of the injuries and any future prognosis.
Accident reports completed by a school, business, local authority or other organisation.
Witness statements from people who saw the accident or were aware of the circumstances leading up to it.
CCTV footage or other recordings showing how the incident occurred.
Photographs of the accident location, hazard or injuries sustained.
Inspection, maintenance or safety records relevant to the accident.

Our solicitors can review the available information, identify any additional evidence that may strengthen the claim and take steps to obtain relevant records where appropriate.

Child Accident Compensation Claim Time Limit

The time limit for child accident claims differs from most personal injury claims because the limitation period is suspended while the injured person is under the age of 18. This means the usual 3-year time limit does not begin immediately after the accident.

During this period of suspension, a parent or guardian can act as a litigation friend and start a claim on their child’s behalf at any point before their 18th birthday. As discussed earlier, a litigation friend is responsible for making decisions about the claim in the child’s best interests and working with the solicitor throughout the claims process.

If no claim is brought during childhood, the 3-year limitation period will begin on the child’s 18th birthday.

For a more detailed explanation of time limits and the exceptions that may apply, see our guide on the personal injury claim limitation period. You can also contact us to see whether you could claim on your child’s behalf.

Child Accident Compensation Claims With Personal Injury Solicitors London

Pursuing compensation on behalf of an injured child requires a different approach to many other personal injury claims. Our solicitors understand the additional considerations involved and can provide clear guidance to families throughout the process while ensuring that your child’s interests remain the priority. Some of the expert services we offer include:

Explaining how compensation awarded to a child is managed and what happens if the claim requires court approval before funds are released.
Our solicitors can work closely with parents and guardians to ensure that the long-term impact of a child’s injuries is fully understood before any settlement is considered.
We can help assess whether future support needs should be taken into account where injuries may affect a child’s development, education or independence.
Our team can liaise with medical experts to obtain specialist evidence regarding your child’s prognosis and likely future recovery.
We can provide straightforward advice tailored to families, helping parents and guardians understand each stage of the claims process and the decisions that may need to be made on their child’s behalf.

If your child has been injured in an accident, Personal Injury Solicitors London can assess the circumstances of the incident and explain the options available. Contact us today.

Can Personal Injury Solicitors London Help Me Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis?

Yes, eligible child accident claims can be pursued on a No Win No Fee basis here with us at Personal Injury Solicitors London. This allows a parent or guardian acting on behalf of an injured child to seek legal representation without paying upfront solicitor fees. A No Win No Fee arrangement can help families access specialist legal advice while focusing on their child’s recovery.

At Personal Injury Solicitors London, eligible claims are handled through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which is a type of No Win No Fee agreement. Under a CFA, there are no solicitor fees to pay at the start of the claim or while the claim is ongoing.

If compensation is recovered for your child, our solicitors will receive a success fee for the work carried out in pursuing the claim. This fee is deducted from the compensation as a percentage. Furthermore, the fee is subject to a legal cap and will be explained in full before the CFA is signed. If the claim does not succeed, you will not need to pay them for the services they have provided.

Contact Personal Injury Solicitors London Today

If you’re thinking about making a claim on your child’s behalf, our team can discuss the circumstances of the accident before advising whether you may have grounds to seek compensation. They will explain the claims process in straightforward terms, helping you make an informed decision about what to do next. Contact us today for free, no-obligation advice by:

Calling 0207 362 2085
Filling out the contact form.
Asking about child accident claims in the live chat.

More Information

Here are a few more guides from Personal Injury Solicitors London:

Learn about compensation for public transport accident claims.
Advice on what to do if you would like to make a zebra crossing accident claim.
Information on gym accident claims.

These external links might be useful:

Read an overview of unpaid parental leave from the government.
NHS first aid guide on what to do if your child has an accident.
Stay safe and prevent accidents guide from the NHS.

Thank you for reading our guide about child accident claims. Don’t hesitate to contact us with any further questions.