Fairground Accident Claims

If you or your child suffered an injury at a fairground that wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to make a fairground accident claim. A specialist solicitor can help you to secure compensation for your pain, suffering and any financial losses and expenses resulting from the accident.

Fairgrounds are expected to be safe places for children and adults alike to enjoy rides and attractions. However, accidents can and do sometimes happen when safety standards are not upheld. These include slips, trips and falls, ride malfunctions, food poisoning, and falls from height.

Whether you suffered a minor sprain, a broken bone or a severe, life-changing injury at a fairground, we are here to help. Call 0800 470 0474 today or request a call back, and you will receive a free, no-obligation consultation with a legal adviser to discuss your case.

Find out if you can claim

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Table of Contents

• What are fairgrounds?
• What duties do fairground operators have towards visitors?
• Am I eligible to make a fairground accident claim?
• How do I claim compensation for a fairground accident?
• Can I make a compensation claim as a fairground employee?
• What types of accidents and injuries could you suffer at a fairground?
• What types of fairground negligence could lead to an injury claim?
• What evidence do I need to support a claim for a fairground accident?
• Can I make a claim on behalf of my child?
• What is the time limit to make a fairground injury claim?
• How much compensation could I receive for a fairground accident?
• Can I claim compensation on a No Win No Fee basis?

What are fairgrounds?

Fairgrounds are outdoor areas where fairs and other public events are held. They are typically focused on traditional rides, games and entertainment such as carousels and Ferris wheels. Unlike theme parks, fairgrounds are often temporary and can be taken down easily.

Besides rides, fairgrounds also usually feature:

• Food and drink vendors that sell classic carnival treats
• Attractions such as funhouses and a Hall of Mirrors.
• Game stalls like tin can alley and arcades with a variety of games.

Because of their nature and large crowds, fairgrounds can present safety risks. To prevent fairground accidents, operators must adhere to strict regulations, which we explain in more detail below.

What duties do fairground operators have towards visitors?

Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, the organisation in charge of the fairground owes all visitors a legal duty of care to ensure they are reasonably safe on their premises. Their responsibilities include:

• Perform regular risk assessments and take steps to eliminate or mitigate hazards.
• Ensure that the rides are designed and installed according to the relevant safety standards.
• Carry out regular inspections and maintenance to ensure the rides are safe to operate.
• Ensure all rides are operated by competent and trained personnel.
• Display clear safety instructions and warning signs for visitors.
• Keep all areas and walkways clean and free of slip and trip hazards.
• Adhere to food hygiene standards to prevent food poisoning and allergic reactions.

Failure to uphold these duties can make the operator liable for personal injury compensation in case of a fairground accident.

Am I eligible to make a fairground accident claim?

A personal injury solicitor can let you know within minutes if you are eligible to make a fairground accident compensation claim by verifying whether:

• The fairground owner or operator owed you a legal duty of care.
• They breached this duty and caused your fairground accident.
• You suffered an injury or illness directly because of their negligence.
• You are within the limitation period for starting a claim, which is typically three years.

If these criteria apply to your case, you should be eligible to claim compensation for your fairground accident and injuries.

How do I claim compensation for a fairground accident?

If you were injured in a fairground accident, there are certain steps you should take to make a successful personal injury claim:

• Have your injuries assessed and treated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
• Report the incident to the fairground operator and ask them to record it in their accident book.
• Collect as much evidence as possible, such as photographs of the scene and contact details of witnesses.
• Document your symptoms and the impact on your work and daily life.

To start your fairground accident claim, you should contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible. They will advise you on your eligibility to make a claim and guide you through the claims process.

Your solicitor will also notify the fairground operator and try to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. If they deny liability or negotiations fail, your solicitor will be prepared to issue court proceedings.

Can I make a compensation claim as a fairground employee?

If you work at a fairground, your employer owes you a legal duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. If you are injured because they failed to maintain a safe workplace, you are entitled to make an accident at work claim.

The responsibilities of employers include:

• Provide proper training on how to do your job safely.
• Regularly inspect and maintain all equipment and machinery.
• Supply personal protective equipment (PPE), such as gloves and helmets, when necessary.
• Implement safe systems of work and safety procedures.
• Ensure adequate supervision and sufficient breaks.

What types of accidents and injuries could you suffer at a fairground?

Various types of accidents and injuries can lead to a fairground or theme park accident claim, including:

• Ride malfunctions due to mechanical failures, poor assembly or a lack of maintenance can result in severe and even fatal fairground accidents.
• Slips, trips and falls due to uneven ground, spillages, trailing cables or poor lighting can result in sprains and fractures.
• Falling objects, such as unsecured ride parts, signage or items dropped from rides, can cause severe head injuries.
• Poor crowd control can lead to trampling and crushing injuries.
• Electrical accidents caused by faulty wiring or exposed wires can cause burns and electrocution.
• Food-related incidents such as food poisoning or allergic reactions.
• Manual handling injuries, such as sprains and strains, can occur from lifting heavy objects without proper training.

The amount of compensation awarded for a funfair accident will depend on the type and severity of the injuries suffered.

What types of fairground negligence could lead to an injury claim?

As mentioned above, you can typically make a fairground injury claim for compensation if your accident was caused by the operator’s negligence. Examples include:

• Inadequate risk assessments to identify hazards.
• Not providing proper training on how to operate rides and machinery safely.
• Failing to inspect and maintain fairground rides, equipment and machinery.
• Failing to supply suitable PPE to employees when needed.
• Poor housekeeping leading to slips, trips and falls.
• Failing to assemble rides correctly and securely.
• Inadequate crowd control and a lack of barriers.
• Failing to post adequate instructions and clear warning signs.
• Serving contaminated food or drinks because of poor hygiene measures.
• Failing to ensure that ride operators are trained and competent.
• Inadequate safety restraints or restraint failures.

A specialist solicitor will be able to determine if there was a breach of duty and whether you are entitled to compensation.

What evidence do I need to support a claim for a fairground accident?

If you were injured at a fairground and you want to make a successful personal injury claim, you will need supporting evidence to prove how your accident occurred and how it has affected your life. This could include:

• Photos or videos of the accident scene and your injuries.
• CCTV or ride camera footage of the accident, if available.
• A copy of the accident report filed with the fairground operator.
• Medical records of your diagnosis, treatments and prognosis.
• An independent report from a specialist regarding your long-term care needs.
• Statements from witnesses who saw what happened.
• Your testimony regarding the accident and its impact on your life.
• Evidence such as receipts, payslips and invoices to prove financial losses and expenses.

Your solicitor will review your evidence and help you gather any other proof you may need to secure a fair compensation amount.

Can I make a claim on behalf of my child?

Yes. As a parent or legal guardian, you are entitled to make a claim on behalf of your child following a fairground accident if they are under the age of 18. In such cases, you can act as a litigation friend and make decisions in your child’s best interests.

You can read more about how to claim compensation for your child by visiting our child accident claims page.

What is the time limit to make a fairground injury claim?

Under the Limitation Act 1980, you have three years to claim compensation for fairground accidents. The time limit starts from the date of injury or from when this was diagnosed and linked to negligence. There are a few exceptions:

• For children, the three-year time limit does not begin until their 18th birthday.
• If the injured person is mentally incapacitated, the time limit is put on hold or suspended.
• If you were the victim of a criminal assault at a fairground, you have two years to make a claim through the CICA.

How much compensation could I receive for a fairground accident?

The amount of compensation you can claim for your injuries will be calculated based on two types of damages:

• General damages cover the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by your injuries.
• Special damages cover your financial losses and expenses, such as loss of earnings and medical bills.

General damages are based on the Judicial College guidelines and range from £240 for minor whiplash to £493,000 for catastrophic brain injuries.

Can I claim compensation on a No Win No Fee basis?

If you have a valid public liability claim following a fairground accident, a no win no fee solicitor will help you pursue compensation under a conditional fee agreement. This means that:

• There are no upfront fees to pay.
• You do not have to pay your solicitor anything if your claim fails.
• If you win compensation, a pre-agreed percentage of it (up to 25%) will be deducted by your solicitor as their success fee.

To find out if you can start a fairground accident claim, call 0800 470 0474 today or use our online contact form to request a call back.

Last edited on 7th Oct 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.