Personal Injury Claims

Accidents involving children

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Our child injury compensation claim lawyers are experienced in dealing with highly sensitive cases. We can help you secure the right level of compensation for accident claims involving children, helping you and your family to move forward.

To find out more information, contact us today for a chat with one of our legal experts.

Get in touch

Can I make a claim for accidents involving children?

If a child is involved in a serious accident, the impact can be life changing. We understand the toll it can take on both the child and your family. You may be able to make a claim for child injury compensation if it can be proven that a third party is responsible.

When seeking compensation, it is important to enlist the help of a lawyer who specialises in accident claims involving children as the law sets out rules and procedures designed to protect minors in these situations.

Our personal injury team is experienced in dealing with child accident cases, so you can be confident in our ability to handle delicate cases with the utmost care.

Sensitive cases will involve the instruction of highly reputable experts to provide evidence. Examples include educational psychologists to report on the impact of missed schooling, as well as occupational therapists to advise on the need for aids and equipment.

Child brain injury claims

We have a particular expertise in handling cases involving child brain injury.

Our experienced brain injury solicitors are skilled in handling serious cases like these, so you’ll be in capable, supportive hands. We focus on providing specialist rehabilitation as soon as possible – even before the child injury compensation claim has reached a conclusion.

It is our policy to seek interim payments where possible so that you can access funds that will help you adapt in the meantime. This could cover professional care or specialist equipment, for example.

What are the main causes of accident claims involving children?

There are many possible causes of child injury compensation claims. Here are some examples.

Road traffic accidents involving children

If a child is involved in a road accident, the consequences can be serious. According to road safety charity Brake, there were 1,252 serious pedestrian injuries and 410 serious car occupant injuries amongst children aged between 0-15 years in 2021. Injuries can range from broken bones to spinal or brain injuries.

Accidents involving children and animals

If your child has suffered an injury from an animal, you could be eligible for child injury compensation to help support them. Horse-riding accidents, dog attacks and even livestock injuries could result in life-changing consequences. It may be possible for you to claim under the Animals Act 1971 where criteria are met, which means that it isn’t necessary to prove fault.

Sports injury accidents involving children

Children’s accident claims involving sports can vary in severity, with the most serious examples causing debilitating injuries. A child might sustain post-concussion syndrome from playing football or falling off a bike, where long-term symptoms persist. Sometimes, another party, such as an event organiser or a sports coach, could be at fault.

Contacting us

Has your child suffered a personal injury that was the fault of another party? Our specialist team can support you in making a claim for accidents involving children. After an initial, no-obligation chat, you will get a better idea of whether you could have a successful claim.

You can find out about our funding options, which are designed to make this possibility more available to families and others who think they may have a claim. Most accident claims involving children are funded by Conditional Fee Agreements (otherwise known as ‘no win no fee’ agreements) so there are no upfront fees for you to pay.

Get free legal advice by getting in touch with one of Bolt Burdon Kemp’s expert solicitors on 020 7288 4800 or contact us online

Partner Organisations / Helpful Links

Client Journeys

Life changing brain injury for a young boy run over by a car whilst crossing the road

We represented a 5 year old boy who was struck by a car when crossing a quiet residential road. He sustained a brain injury as well as a severe head injury and multiple fractures. He was rushed to hospital by ambulance in his mother’s arms.

The Defendant denied he was responsible because he said our client ran out into the road between cars. We were able to establish that the Defendant was liable and we negotiated a favourable agreement whereby the Defendant accepted a large proportion of responsibility for the accident. As a result of this agreement, our client will receive a significant compensation which will ensure his needs are met for life.

Meet your Personal Injury Claims Solicitors

Why Bolt Burdon Kemp?

Cheryl Abrahams

Partner – Part of the Child Brain Injury Team

Josh Hughes

Head of Complex Injury

Ellen McGreevy

Senior Solicitor – Part of the Personal Injury Claims Team

FAQs

What is the children's accident claims process?
When seeking child injury compensation, you’ll follow a clear process so we can support you in the best way possible:
- It will start with an informal, no-obligation chat.
- We may request more documents if we feel there is a reasonable chance of winning the case.
- If you decide to pursue your claim with us, we’ll begin more detailed investigations and discuss funding. However, if we feel you don’t have a valid case, or if you don’t feel satisfied with our funding agreement, you can walk away without paying a penny.
- We will get in touch with the defendant (the person we believe is to blame) and outline your claim.
- If the defendant accepts responsibility, we will negotiate your child injury compensation.
What is a litigation friend?

A litigation friend is someone who is appointed to make decisions about a court case for a child, or an adult who lacks the mental capacity to manage their own court case either with or without a solicitor. But, it’s important to note, they are not acting as a lawyer.

You can apply to be someone’s litigation friend or be appointed by the court.
What compensation could you receive for accident claims involving children?

You will receive compensation for relevant expenses and financial losses if you win your child injury compensation claim. This means you and your family can access critical support to help your situation.

Examples include loss of earnings, rehabilitative treatment, medical costs and even travel expenses relating to your child’s injuries. The claim will also include financial losses that will be encountered in the future.

As well as compensation for losses that are known of, your child will also be covered for physical and emotional suffering experienced due to their personal injury. This amount will be determined using the latest edition of the Judicial College guidelines.
What are the time limits for bringing accident claims involving children?

If the claimant was under 18 when the accident happened, the Claim Form needs to be issued in the court within three years of the claimant’s 18th birthday. This means that the claim must be issued by their 21st birthday. Otherwise, you could risk losing the chance to claim compensation.

While we understand that it will be the last thing on your mind, you should ideally seek out legal advice from a child injury compensation claims solicitor as close to the accident as possible. This way, when you’re ready, it will be easier to recall details of the event, collect evidence and strengthen your claim.
What evidence will I need to support my child injury compensation claim?
Where possible, you should evidence as close to the event as possible. The more evidence you have, the stronger your case for child injury compensation will be. Examples include:
- Photos or videos taken from the scene of the accident
- Medical records that confirm the injuries and document the treatment your child received
- Eyewitness accounts, or contact details of anyone who saw what happened
Will BBK provide support beyond the claims process?

We understand how devastating accidents involving children can be. That’s why, on top of seeking maximum compensation, we’ll arrange for your child and family to receive the treatment or rehabilitation needed. We can also advise on other welfare benefits that you may be entitled to.

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ke Mono

I can say to this point in case they have been there surporting me. Julia very helpful and friendly. And have organised well to get us over the line. We won our part 36 .so technically the case is over. I did take advice from them but feel in my case. it right decision. I realise they are a business and have to earn money like everyone . Everything they said. They would do .. Case took a long time .but I think this quite normal under our circumstances. I have been awarded compensation and im hoping they deal with swiftly and put the cherry on the cake
It is important they make sure this is done after all the hard work they put in and what I had to go through. Julia allways ask me what I wanted to do. Yes she would give me advice but bottom line It my choice.
I would advice anyone out there who looking for a good solicitors firm to speak to these guys. I'm actually 24 hours away on flight
So that a big time difference but they managed it.
So well done big Thanks
Bolt burden Kemp .special thanks to Julia for she did for me.

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Charlotte Carey

Incredibly helpful advice from Siobhan. Thank you so much.

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Milo Apostolou

I approached this law firm when I needed specialised advice for a medical negligence claim , I would give more stars if I could , not only did they take the case on we also won triumphantly, I want to thank the whole team from Olivia , to Hockman , to molly , the reception staff , every member of that firm I spoke to were extremely professional.
Beautiful office,
Highly recommend this firm

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luke parry

They host our Silverlining meetings and are very accommodating!

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Laura Amos

Amazing firm. Ipek, Daria and Elly really heard me and understood my story. It felt like I was really heard for one of the first times ever. They didn’t take my case as they only take on the best! But my goodness this firm is amazing. They really do care. - Laura

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Tony Short