Accidents Involving Children: Secure Compensation for Your Child
Did you know – a parent / guardian makes the injury claim on behalf of the child, this can start from 2 years from the date of their 18th birthday rather than in normal cases 2 years from ‘date of knowledge’.
Accidents Involving Children – Claiming on their Behalf
Irish law states that a person under the age of 18 years is considered to be a minor and therefore cannot engage the services of a solicitor directly. However, a parent or guardian of the child can bring the personal injury action on their behalf acting as “Next Friend”. The Next Friend acts as an agent for the child and the nominated solicitor will deal directly with them.
Every year thousands of children are injured in accidents and have suffered injury, disfigurement and in some cases permanent disability. As expert child injuries solicitors, we appreciate that when a child suffers from an accident causing injury due to the fault of another party it is extremely traumatic to the child, parents and family members. Whatever the type of accident to the child, we will advise you in clear terms if there is a reasonable prospect of making a successful claim for your child.
Claiming for Children under 18 years – FAQs
Who Makes the Claim?
What is the time limit for Child Claims?
What happens the Monies Awarded to the Child?
Can a Child Start a Claim?
How is the Child’s Compensation Award Managed?
Playground Accidents – How to know if the child has a Claim
How to know if a Crèche or School is Liable?
Common Injuries caused by Dangerous or Defective Toys
- Cuts & bruises
- Burns
- Choking or Suffocation
- Strangulation
- Puncture wounds
Safety Regulations for Playgrounds and Pre-School Care Providers
Summary of Safety Regulations for Playground Spaces
- Inspections must be carried out on a weekly basis by trained staff and records must be maintained of these inspections;
- All equipment contained in the playground and all surfaces must comply with ISEN standards (European Standard);
- Risk assessments must be carried out on all new playgrounds
- All equipment should be regularly maintained and fixed/replaced where necessary;
- An annual, independent inspection, must be carried out to ensure the safety of the playground equipment. This annual inspection should be carried out in compliance with the European Playground Standards EN1176.
- As well as ensuring that the equipment in the playground is maintained and that regular inspections are carried out it is also necessary that there be appropriate surfacing in place in order to prevent children from injuring themselves should they be caused to fall. Any alternative to the below mentioned surfaces will put a child at risk of sustaining a serious and avoidable injury. The chosen surfacing in any playground must comply with ISEN standards and be one of the following: Grass, Sand, Rubber safety tiles, Soft mulch, Bark mulch and Wet pour timber.
Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016
There are strict Regulations in place that all pre-school care providers must adhere to. These Regulations are set out in the Childcare Act 1991 (Early Years Services) Regulations 2016. Areas covered by the Regulations include:
- Health, welfare and development of the child;
- First aid and medical assistance and
- Management & staffing.
Pre-school Services – Table of How Many Carers per Class?
The below table sets out the number of responsible adults who should be caring for a group of children at any given time. If these ratios are not rigorously followed the chance of an accident occurring increases significantly. There should be adequate supervision throughout the day, especially during play activities.
| Pre-school service | Age of children | No. of adults | No. of children |
| Sessional services | 0 to 1 years | 1 | 3 |
| 1 to 2.5 years | 1 | 5 | |
| 2 to 5/6 years | 1 | 11 | |
| Full/part-time day care | 0 to 1 year | 1 | 3 |
| 1 to 2 years | 1 | 5 | |
| 2 to 3 years | 1 | 6 | |
| 3 to 6 years | 1 | 8 | |
| Drop-in centres | 0 to 6 years | 1 | 4 (only 2 or less under 15 months) |
| Childminders | 0 to 6 years | 1 | 5 (including his/her own) |
| Overnight pre-school service | 0 to 1 years | 1 | 3 |
| 1 to 6 years | 1 | 5 |
Related Pages
Got a question about starting a claim for Personal Injury or Medical Negligence?
Contact us 7 days a week by phone, email or fill out the callback form and a solicitor will contact you without delay. We are Here to Help.
Call 014534890 or Email info@lawline.ie
Key Takeaways
- Under Irish law, minors cannot engage a solicitor directly; a parent or guardian must act as their Next Friend.
- Child accidents can result in serious injuries, and it’s important to seek legal advice regarding claims.
- Safety regulations for playgrounds require regular inspections, compliance with ISEN standards, and proper surfacing materials.
- Strict ratios of adults to children during care ensure safety; non-compliance increases accident risks.
- The Childcare Act 1991 outlines essential regulations covering health, first aid, and staffing for pre-school services.
Synnott Lawline Personal Injury and Medical Negligence Claims
Our firm provides legal assistance to individuals who have suffered injuries due to the negligence or wrongdoing of another party. Our services encompass a wide range of actions, including investigating the circumstances of the accident, gathering evidence for your case, advising you on your legal rights and options, and negotiating with insurance companies to reach a fair settlement. If necessary, we will also represent you in court proceedings if a settlement cannot be achieved. We aim to ensure that your medical expenses, lost income, and compensation for pain and suffering are adequately addressed while navigating the complex legal landscape on your behalf. below is a list of some of our services. If you have a query on starting an injury claim, contact us today, we are her to help.
Personal Injury Claims
Road Accident Injury Claims
Medical Negligence Claims
Download Injury Claims Guide Booklet
Synnott Lawline Solicitors developed this compensation claims guide to give our clients an understanding of the personal injury claims process. Throughout your case we may make reference to sections in this guide. Topics include: The claims process, How to know if you have a case, Legal costs, Going to court, Statute of limitations, PIAB, Medical examinations and more.
Claiming for a Child – Infant to 18 Years
