Bouncy castle injuries can happen in the blink of an eye. In fact, approximately 10,000 bouncy castle-related injuries occur each year in the UK alone….
Soft play centre injury claims
If you or your child has been injured at a soft play centre due to negligence, contact us to find out if you can claim personal injury compensation.
We are a claims management company regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Soft Play Centre Accident Claims
Soft play centres should be safe environments where children can play freely without being exposed to foreseeable risks. However, when safety standards are not properly maintained, accidents can happen. In such cases, you may be entitled to pursue a soft play centre accident claim on behalf of your child.
Common accidents include slips and trips, falls from height, entrapment and injuries caused by broken equipment. Compensation for a soft play centre accident can cover your child’s pain and suffering, as well as medical expenses, lost earnings while caring for them and other related financial expenses.
Call 0800 470 0474 today to find out whether you have a valid claim or request a call back. You will receive a free consultation with an experienced legal adviser with no obligation to proceed.
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Table of Contents
What is a soft play centre accident claim?
A soft play centre accident claim is a type of personal injury claim made when someone, typically a child, is injured in a soft play centre due to negligence.
Soft play centres are indoor playgrounds designed for young children to explore, climb, and play safely. They are required to comply with relevant health and safety regulations to ensure they operate safely.
A claim can arise when the business or venue responsible for the area fails to take reasonable steps to keep children and supervising adults safe, resulting in injuries.
Can I make a soft play centre accident claim?
Yes. You could claim compensation if your child was injured due to an unsafe play area or poorly maintained equipment.
Usually, a compensation claim is possible if the following can be proven:
- The soft play centre operator owed you a legal duty of care.
- They breached this duty through a negligent act or omission.
- The breach of duty led to the accident and injuries.
It may still be possible to make a claim even if you or your child were partially at fault (for example, by ignoring a warning sign). In such cases, your final compensation amount may be reduced to reflect contributory negligence. You can read more here: What is contributory negligence?
Who could make a claim on behalf of a child?
Under UK personal injury law, a child under 18 needs a litigation friend to act on their behalf and pursue compensation.
This is typically a parent or a legal guardian, but the role can be taken by any other suitable adult who does not have a conflict of interest with the child. Their duties include:
- Instruct solicitors and take legal advice.
- Make legal decisions in the child’s best interests.
- Sign documents and approve settlement offers.
In most cases, the compensation awarded to a child for a play area accident is kept in a court bank account and released to them when they turn 18.
Who is responsible for accidents in soft play centres?
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, responsibility for accidents at a soft play centre usually lies with the owner or occupier of the premises. This could be the local council, a private business, or a leisure centre.
Those in charge of the soft play area must take reasonable steps to ensure visitors are protected from foreseeable harm. They must:
- Carry out regular inspections of play equipment, surfacing, netting and padding.
- Maintain equipment in safe working condition and repair defects promptly.
- Ensure that all play areas are free from slip and trip hazards.
- Ensure adequate supervision is in place and avoid overcrowding.
- Clean the play area properly to keep the premises hygienic.
- Display clear warning signs where a hazard cannot be immediately removed.
- Separate play areas by age or size where appropriate.
- Ensure staff are properly trained to identify hazards and manage safety concerns.
In some cases, liability may also extend to cleaning or maintenance contractors or equipment manufacturers.
What types of accidents can happen in soft play centres?
Common accidents in soft play centres include falls from heights, collisions, entrapment and injuries from faulty equipment.
The most common incidents leading to child injury claims are:
- Falls from slides or climbing frames
- Collisions between children in overcrowded areas
- Slips, trips and falls on wet or uneven surfacing
- Entrapment and other injuries from faulty playground equipment
- Injuries caused by a lack of adequate padding or surfacing
- Illnesses caused by germs in dirty ball pits and other unhygienic surfaces
If your child was harmed at a soft play centre due to negligence, you could be entitled to start a claim on their behalf.
Can I claim if I was injured working at a soft play centre?
Yes, you may be entitled to compensation if you were injured working at a soft play centre, provided the accident was caused by employer negligence, such as inadequate training, faulty equipment or poor maintenance.
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, employers have a legal duty to ensure employees are reasonably safe while working. This includes:
- Providing proper training
- Maintaining safe working conditions
- Carrying out regular risk assessments
- Ensuring all equipment is safe for use
- Promptly addressing hazards
If your employer failed in these duties and you were injured as a result, you could make an accident at work claim for compensation.
Common types of injuries leading to soft play centre accident claims
Soft play centre accident claims can arise from various types of injuries, ranging from mild soft tissue damage to serious injuries such as broken bones and brain damage.
The most common injuries caused by accidents at a soft play centre include:
- Broken bones and dislocations caused by falling from heights or entrapment
- Head injuries resulting from falls and collisions
- Cuts and lacerations from sharp edges or damaged equipment
- Soft tissue injuries from falls or faulty play equipment
- Friction burns from worn-out plastic surfaces or slides
- Food poisoning or allergic reactions from food served at the play area
- Back and neck injuries from falls or hitting poorly padded surfaces
- Psychological injuries like anxiety and PTSD following serious incidents
The type and severity of the injuries suffered will determine the compensation amount you could receive from the soft play centre.
How do I make a soft play centre accident claim?
There are a few steps you should take to make a soft play accident claim. For your claim to be successful, you must be able to prove the injuries suffered, their impact and the negligence that led to them.
The claims process usually involves the following steps:
- Report the incident – Notify the soft play centre and ask that the accident be recorded in their official accident report book.
- Seek medical care – Even if the injuries seem minor, seek medical attention as soon as possible to have them properly diagnosed and documented.
- Gather evidence – It can be helpful if you take clear photos of hazards, ask for witness contact details and keep records of financial losses and expenses.
- Consult a specialist solicitor – A personal injury solicitor experienced in public place claims can investigate your case and prove liability.
- Letter of claim – Once your case is built, your solicitor will send a letter of claim to the defendant, outlining your claim and the compensation you seek.
- Negotiations or court proceedings – Most claims are settled through negotiations with the defendant’s insurer, but court proceedings may be needed if liability is denied.
Evidence you need to support a soft play centre injury claim
Strong evidence is essential to prove that your child’s injuries were caused by negligence and to maximise your chances of success. Crucial documentation includes photos of hazards, accident reports, medical records and statements from independent witnesses.
Your personal injury solicitor will aim to gather the following types of evidence to prove your claim:
- Medical records confirming the type and severity of the injuries suffered.
- An independent medical assessment of your child’s prognosis and future care needs.
- Clear photographs of the accident scene and any hazards that contributed to it.
- Photos of visible injuries and your child’s recovery process.
- CCTV footage showing how the accident occurred, if available.
- A copy of a signed accident report from the soft play centre operator.
- Witness statements from other parents or bystanders.
- Employment records proving the time you took off work to care for your child.
- Attendance records to show that your child missed school due to their injuries.
- Proof of financial losses and expenses, such as receipts and payslips.
What is the time limit for soft play centre accident claims?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you must generally start a personal injury compensation claim within three years after the date of the accident.
This time limit does not apply to child injury claims. For children, the 3-year limitation period begins only on their 18th birthday. This gives them until 21 to pursue compensation if no claim is made on their behalf.
While the law gives you plenty of time, it is best to start your claim as soon as possible. This ensures that evidence is preserved and your solicitor can build a strong case.
How much compensation can I claim for a soft play centre accident?
The amount of compensation for a soft play centre injury claim depends on the severity of the injuries suffered and their impact on your child’s life. A playground accident claim typically covers two types of damages:
- General damages – for pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- Special damages – for medical costs, loss of earnings and other financial expenses
Each case is assessed individually in accordance with the Judicial College Guidelines. Compensation can vary widely, for example:
- £2,080 to £3,080 for an uncomplicated broken nose with complete recovery
- £2,920 to £16,870 for a concussion that resolves completely within 2-3 years
- £9,110 to £39,340 for eye injuries causing some partial loss of vision
- £16,640 to £32,370 for a broken wrist that results in some permanent disability
- £27,760 to £135,920 for a broken femur causing permanent mobility issues
- £111,150 to £196,450 for severe spinal injuries leading to incomplete paralysis
These are only compensation estimates and not guaranteed payments. A solicitor can help you better understand the value of your claim during a free initial consultation.
Can I make a soft play centre accident claim on a no win no fee basis?
Yes. If you are able to claim compensation for playground injuries, you will be offered a no win no fee service. This means:
- You do not have to pay anything upfront or during the claims process.
- You don’t pay your solicitor if you lose the claim.
- You only pay a success fee if your soft play centre injury claim is successful.
A no win no fee claim allows you to pursue compensation without financial risk and regardless of your financial situation.
Call 0800 470 0474 today or request a call back to find out if you may be entitled to claim compensation for your child’s injuries.
