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Accident claims in schools, colleges and universities
Clear Answers’ solicitors are part of the most experienced personal injury law firm in the UK. We have gained a reputation for being tenacious and tough in winning accident claims - because we care for all our clients and fight to achieve the maximum accident compensation to which they are entitled.
We guarantee that you will keep 100% of the compensation awarded if we are successful in your accident claim, and that, win or lose, you will not pay any legal fees. We hold negligent people to account and they or their insurers will pay our legal costs for bringing your accident claim.
Duty of care to reduce accident risks
For the thousands of teachers, lecturers, and other employees required to operate our education establishments, these facilities are their workplace and they present a range of potential hazards to be risk assessed and reduced, if not entirely removed.
Unlike other workplaces, these establishments are also populated by pupils, students, visitors of all kinds, for whom these hazards also pose a threat.
The operators of our schools, colleges and universities, have a duty of care to provide a safe working environment for all their employees, and a range of legislation, including The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, is in place to ensure that if they fail in this duty, and you are involved in an accident at work which was not your fault, the law may allow you to make an accident claim for compensation.
If you are a visitor to the site, and this includes students and pupils, there is also a duty on the building operator to ensure you are not injured during your visit. The Occupier's Liability Acts of 1957 and 1984 provide a framework for your protection, and again may allow you to make an accident claim for compensation, should you be unfortunate enough to be injured in an accident which is not your fault.
In some instances, the best means of controlling the risk of slipping is to provide a specific type of footwear. Where this is the case, the provision of the footwear is covered by the Personal Protective Equipment at Work Regulations 1992. A failure by an employer to provide suitable footwear to you would be considered a breach of regulations if you were involved in an accident which is not your fault, and you may be able to make an accident claim.
Slips, trips and falls accident claims
The most common type of accidents in educational establishments (according to figures provided by the Health & Safety Executive in their advisory note “Preventing slip and trip incidents in the education sector") are slips, trips and falls.
The latest figures reported by the HSE were that almost 2000 major injuries occurred in education, and 55% were caused by a slip or trip. Of those reported accidents, 571 involved employees, and the vast majority of major accidents resulted in a broken bone.
Top of the list of areas that can pose risks for slip and trip accidents are, unsurprisingly, corridors, outside areas exposed to the elements, followed by staircases. Teaching rooms and laboratories may pose specific risks which must be risk assessed. Car parks, playgrounds, building entrances and food areas such as the canteen and kitchens can also present a number of more quantifiable risks.
Other accident claims for compensation
Accidents have occured because of poor signage or inappropriate clean-up processes when spillages happen. Often poor or irregular maintenance can lead to hazards developing. If a good schedule of inspection is in place, many of these risk factors will be identified, and an accident can be avoided.
Other accidents which can arise within the education sector include:-
- back injuries, for example when pushing children in wheelchairs
- sporting injuries
- tripping over cables
- falls from chairs when installing displays
- falls from ladders not appropriately or adequately secured
- trips in potholes which should have been repaired or fenced off
- being hit by items falling such as when there are inadequate storage facilities
- being hit by items falling on victims walking beneath because of the poor condition of many of our schools and university buildings
Claims for assaults in our educational system
One area which is also on the increase is that of assaults on teachers, both from pupils and their parents. If you have been injured in a violent attack, you may be entitled to claim compensation. Please see whether you are entitled to assault at work compensation by visiting our attacked at work section.
Evidence for an accident claim
Even if you are lucky enough to walk away from an accident with few, if any, apparent injuries, you will still suffer from shock and stress. Often, the trauma of the accident can prevent the clear thinking needed to record the accident details, which may be required later to support your accident claim for compensation. Please visit our section on gathering information and evidence for making an accident claim, or go to our information and advice section for more information on making an accident compensation claim.
Accident news stories
Clear Answers' solicitors deal with a large number of accident claims each year. Details of some of the many successful accident claims can be found in our Personal injury news section which is updated regularly, in addition to news items which we hope you will find interesting.
Below is just one news item, please click on the link to read the full story.
Health & Safety Executive - Myth about school experiments
The Health & Safety Executive (HSE) exists in order to prevent death, injury and ill health to those at work and those affected by work activities, and contrary to what you might read or hear in the media, this is about saving lives and not stopping people living.
To try to overcome some of the myths which have grown up over time, the HSE website publishes a
“Myth of the Month” which aims to present the real truth behind some of the public perceptions of health and safety regulations.
More about Health & Safety Executive - November myth of the month
Making an accident claim
Fatal injuries in education are thankfully rare but when they do occur, nothing can compensate for the loss of a loved one. Equally, accidents can result in serious injuries. Making an accident claim for the compensation to which you are entitled can help with the financial impact of your lost loved one or the reduced quality of life arising from the accident. It can provide a secure future for those coping with the effects of the accident.
Clear Answers’ solicitors have in-depth knowledge and experience in winning accident claims for all types of accidents in education, or accidents to visitors of public buildings.
If you select Clear Answers to represent you in your claim, we will be happy to provide you with expert legal advice, and our specialist personal injury lawyers will talk you through the claims process in plain English.
You will receive 100% of your compensation, and the person responsible for the death or serious injury to your loved one will pay our legal fees - our service will be cost-free for you.
Strict time limits apply to bringing an accident claim, so always consult a specialist accident claim lawyer as soon as you think you may have a valid accident claim.
Contact us on 0800 783 9019 to discuss your accident claim. Alternatively, complete one of our online accident claim forms and a representative will contact you as soon as possible. They will be happy to answer any questions you may have regarding the claims process and whether you have a valid accident claim for compensation.
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