If your child has been injured in a playground accident claim in the UK, you can claim compensation where the playground owner or operator was negligent. Councils, schools and soft-play centres owe a duty of care under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 to keep equipment and surfaces reasonably safe. Equipment must meet BS EN 1176/1177 safety standards. A parent can bring the claim as the child's litigation friend. There is no time limit while the child is under 18.
Playgrounds should be safe spaces for children to play, explore and develop. When equipment is poorly maintained, safety surfacing is inadequate, or supervision is lacking, the consequences can be serious: broken arms, head injuries, spinal injuries and worse. Local councils, schools and commercial play operators all have legal duties to manage playground risks. This guide explains how playground accident claims work in the UK, who is liable, and how claims for injured children are handled. We are an independent information service, not a law firm.
Who is responsible for playground safety?
The legal duty depends on who owns and operates the playground:
| Operator | Key legal duties |
|---|---|
| Local council (public parks) | Occupiers' Liability Act 1957; BS EN 1176/1177 compliance; regular inspection regime (visual, operational, annual); repair or close defective equipment promptly |
| Schools and academy trusts | Occupiers' Liability Act 1957; Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974; duty of care to pupils during break times and PE |
| Soft-play and adventure parks | Occupiers' Liability Act 1957; duty to maintain equipment, provide adequate supervision, set age/height restrictions |
| Equipment manufacturer | Consumer Protection Act 1987 (strict liability for defective products); BS EN 1176 design standards |
Where a claim is against a council, the process involves the council's insurer. See also our school accident claims guide for injuries in school playgrounds.
Common playground injuries
- Broken bones. Arms, wrists and collarbones from falls off climbing frames, swings and slides are the most common. See broken bone claims.
- Head injuries. Falls from height onto inadequate surfacing can cause concussion or worse. See head injury claims.
- Finger and hand injuries. Trapping or crushing in moving parts, chains or mechanisms.
- Lacerations and scarring. From exposed bolts, sharp edges or broken equipment.
- Burns. Metal slides and surfaces in direct sunlight can reach temperatures high enough to cause contact burns.
✓ Safety surfacing is crucial
BS EN 1177 specifies the critical fall height for each type of surfacing material (rubber tiles, wet-pour rubber, bark mulch, sand). If the surfacing under equipment does not meet the standard for the equipment's fall height, the occupier is likely in breach. This is a common finding in playground accident claims.
Compensation for playground injuries
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity under the Judicial College Guidelines, 17th edition (2024). Children's claims can attract higher awards where an injury will affect them for a greater proportion of their life.
- Special damages for medical treatment, physiotherapy, travel, time off school, care provided by parents, and any future loss of earning capacity if the injury is permanent.
Evidence for a playground claim
- Photographs. The equipment, any defect, the surfacing and your child's injuries. Take these as soon as possible.
- Incident report. Report the accident to the council, school or operator and ask for a written record.
- Medical records. A&E attendance, follow-up treatment and specialist referrals.
- Inspection and maintenance records. Your solicitor can request the operator's inspection logs and risk assessments.
- Witness details. Other parents or carers who saw the accident.
How claims for children work
A child cannot bring a legal claim themselves. A litigation friend (usually a parent) conducts the claim on the child's behalf. Any settlement must be approved by the court to ensure it is in the child's best interests. The compensation is usually held in a Court Funds Office account until the child turns 18. See our claims for children guide.
Time limits
For children, the standard three-year limitation period under the Limitation Act 1980 does not start until the child's 18th birthday. A parent can bring the claim at any time before that. Once the child turns 18, they have until their 21st birthday. Despite this generous window, acting promptly preserves evidence. See our time limits guide.
Getting help
We are not a law firm. To find a regulated solicitor experienced in children's personal injury claims, use the Solicitors Regulation Authority register and the Law Society "Find a Solicitor" service. ROSPA provides playground safety guidance.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if my child is injured in a playground?
Yes, if the injury was caused by negligence. The playground owner or operator owes a duty of care under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 to keep equipment and surfaces reasonably safe. If a council-run playground has faulty equipment, inadequate safety surfacing or has not been properly inspected, the council may be liable. Private soft-play centres and school playgrounds carry similar duties.
Who is liable for a playground accident?
Usually the occupier: the local council for public playgrounds, the school or academy trust for school playgrounds, and the business operator for private soft-play centres. The equipment manufacturer may also be liable under the Consumer Protection Act 1987 if a design or manufacturing defect caused the injury.
How much compensation for a playground injury?
It depends on the injury. Compensation covers general damages under the Judicial College Guidelines for the specific injury, plus special damages for treatment, travel, care and any impact on the child's education. Children's claims can attract higher awards where an injury will affect them for a greater proportion of their life.
How long do I have to claim for a child's playground injury?
A child cannot bring a claim themselves. A litigation friend, usually a parent, can bring the claim at any time before the child turns 18. Once the child turns 18, they have three years until their 21st birthday to bring the claim in their own right. Despite this generous window, earlier is better because evidence degrades over time.
What safety standards apply to playgrounds?
Public playground equipment must comply with BS EN 1176 for equipment safety and BS EN 1177 for impact-absorbing surfacing. Equipment should be inspected regularly: a routine visual check, an operational inspection every one to three months, and an annual main inspection by a qualified inspector. ROSPA provides comprehensive guidance.
Can I claim for a soft-play centre injury?
Yes. Soft-play centres are commercial premises and the operator owes a duty of care under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957. They must maintain equipment, ensure adequate supervision, set appropriate age and height restrictions and carry out regular safety checks. If your child was injured because equipment was broken or supervision was lacking, you may have a claim.
What if my child was partly at fault?
Children are not expected to exercise the same judgement as adults. The court considers what is reasonable for a child of that age. Very young children are unlikely to bear any contributory negligence. The occupier is still expected to anticipate that children will be unpredictable and to design and maintain equipment accordingly.
Get help from official, free sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — check a solicitor is regulated
- The Law Society — Find a Solicitor — accredited PI specialists
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial guidance on your rights
- GOV.UK — courts, time limits and official guidance
Related guides: claims for children, school accident claims, broken bone claims, public liability claims, and head injury claims.