Ice Skating Injury Claims

Ice skating is a winter sport and a popular activity that can be fun for the whole family. However, while occasional falls and tumbles are inevitable, more severe injuries can be sustained when adequate safety measures are not in place.

Ice rink owners have a legal duty to take all reasonable measures to provide a safe environment and prevent avoidable accidents. They can be responsible for any resulting damages if they fail to do this.

If you or a loved one were injured at an outdoor or indoor ice rink due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation. An experienced legal adviser can let you know if you can start an ice skating injury claim and answer any questions you have about the claims process.

If you would like a free consultation, please call 0800 470 0474 today or enter your details into our online contact form to request a call back.

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

• Duty of care of ice rinks
• Am I eligible to make an ice skating accident claim?
• What evidence do I need to support my claim?
• Examples of negligence that could lead to an ice skating injury claim
• Common ice skating injuries for which you could claim compensation
• Can I claim ice skating injury compensation on behalf of my child?
• Time limits to start an ice skating injury compensation claim
• How much compensation could I claim for an ice skating accident?
• Can I make a personal injury claim on a No Win No Fee basis?

Duty of care of ice rinks

As with any other owner or occupier of premises, ice rinks have a duty of care towards customers and visitors. They must take reasonable measures to keep their patrons safe from injuries and accidents, as stated by the Occupiers Liability Act 1957. Their duties include:

• Regularly inspect and maintain the rink to ensure it is free from hazards such as cracks, holes or debris;
• Have sufficient staff to monitor the skaters and enforce safety rules;
• Place clear and visible warning signs around the rink to inform skaters of potential hazards;
• Provide training to the staff on how to provide assistance in case of an accident and intervene to prevent reckless behaviour;
• Make sure the rink and the surrounding areas are well-lit so skaters can see potential hazards;
• Limit the number of people on the rink to prevent overcrowding;
• Keep pathways around the rink clear of ice and snow to prevent slips;
• Ensure that all rental equipment is regularly inspected and safe for use;
• Maintain clean and safe facilities that are free from hazards.

If ice rink operators fail to fulfil these responsibilities, they may be liable for any injuries or accidents that occur due to their negligence.

Am I eligible to make an ice skating accident claim?

If you were injured at an ice rink without being at fault, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation. You could receive damages to cover your pain, suffering and any financial losses that have resulted from the accident. As a general rule, you can start a claim if you answer yes to each of the following questions:

• Did the ice rink owner or another party owe you a duty of care?
• Did they act negligently and cause an accident?
• Did you suffer an injury or injuries as a result?

Your solicitor will have the necessary expertise to prove a duty of care and liability based on relevant legislation. They will also help you gather all the evidence you need to support an ice skating accident claim, as seen in the section below.

Once liability is established, your solicitor will send a letter of claim to the defendant to inform them of your intentions to seek compensation. If they admit liability, you can begin to negotiate your compensation award. If not, you may need to issue court proceedings and argue your claim in court. This is rarely the case, as more than 95% of all cases settle out of court.

What evidence do I need to support my claim?

To start a claim and secure ice skating injury compensation, you will need various evidence to show how the accident took place and how it has affected your life. This can include:

• Photographs of the accident scene and any hazards contributing to your injuries, such as worn-out equipment or ice cracks. These will provide a clear insight into what happened and who is responsible for it;
• Pictures of any visible injuries, such as bruising, deformities or lacerations and of your recovery process;
• CCTV footage, if available, can show exactly what happened;
• A copy of an accident report that you should file with the ice rink operator immediately after the incident. This will provide details of what happened, including the date, time and location of your injury;
• Your medical records, such as X-rays, diagnostic tests, doctor’s notes and other documents, will prove the nature and extent of your injuries, as well as your prognosis;
• A copy of a police report if you were injured following a criminal assault;
• Statements from any witnesses who saw what happened can also help support a claim for ice skating accident compensation;
• A detailed journal of how the injury has affected your ability to work, carry out daily tasks or enjoy your usual leisure activities;
• You also need evidence of losses and expenses, such as receipts, invoices and bank statements.

Examples of negligence that could lead to an ice skating injury claim

Occasional incidents at ice rinks are nothing out of the ordinary and are typically nobody’s fault. They usually result in nothing more than bumps and bruises. However, various types of breach of duty or negligence of a third party can result in more severe accidents and injuries, and these include:

• A failure to have enough employees on duty on the rink, especially during peak hours;
• Poorly maintained or uneven ice, which can be slushy, cracked or uneven;
• Improper training of staff;
• Allowing too many skaters on the rink, which leads to overcrowding and collisions;
• Dangerous or reckless behaviour from other skaters;
• A failure to promptly address or repair damaged areas of the rink;
• Absence of clear and visible warning signs to indicate potential hazards;
• Rented equipment that is faulty or in poor condition;
• Poor lighting and visibility on the rink and surrounding areas.

These and other types of negligence can lead to accidents for which you may be eligible to claim compensation.

Common ice skating injuries for which you could claim compensation

As seen above, accidents at ice skating rinks can happen for many reasons, including poor ice maintenance, equipment failures and poorly trained staff. These include slips, trips and falls, collisions with other skaters and incidents caused by defective equipment. Such accidents can result in various types of traumas ranging from minor bruising to severe head injuries.

The most common types of injuries you could suffer as a result of an ice skate accident include:

• Sprains and strains. These can affect the muscles, tendons or ligaments and can be caused by awkward falls, sudden movements or collisions on the ice rink.
• Lacerations. Falling on ice, being hit by skate blades, or high-speed collisions can result in skin tears and lacerations, which can cause permanent scarring.
• Broken bones. Hard falls on the ice, falls from heights, and awkward landings can result in fractures in various body parts.
• Dislocated shoulders. Falls onto an outstretched arm, high-speed collisions and other incidents can push the shoulder out of its pocket, which needs immediate medical attention.
• Wrist injuries. Using your hands to break a fall or a direct impact to the wrist can result in various types of wrist injuries, such as sprains, strains or fractures.
• Back injuries. Falls, collisions, and repetitive movements when skating can result in back injuries such as contusions, muscle strains, rib bruising and even herniated discs or fractures.
• Concussions. If you hit your head on the ice or another object following a fall or collision, you can suffer a concussion or even a more traumatic brain injury.
• Knee injuries. Landing directly on the knee or twisting it during a fall can strain ligaments or tendons and even fracture the bones around the knee.
• Facial injuries. Falls and collisions on the skating rink can result in dental injuries, a broken nose or jaw, bruises and other types of facial injuries.
• Infections or illnesses. Unsanitary skates, poorly maintained facilities, open wounds and contaminated food served at ice rinks can also lead to various diseases, such as fungal infections or food poisoning.

These and many other injuries could lead to ice skating accident compensation as long as they were due to someone else’s negligence.

Can I claim ice skating injury compensation on behalf of my child?

If your child was injured at an ice rink, you may be able to make a claim on their behalf. For this, you must apply to the court to be named as their litigation friend and prove there is no conflict of interest between you, and you can make competent decisions about the case.

Once appointed, you will have several responsibilities, such as liaising with solicitors, signing legal documents and paying any fees requested by the court.

If you secure ice skating injury compensation, a judge must approve the awarded settlement during a court hearing. The awarded funds will then be kept in a court bank account until your child turns 18.

Alternatively, your solicitor could help you set up a personal injury trust in their name. The court may release some of the money early if you need it for essential expenses, such as medical treatments, that you cannot cover otherwise.

Time limits to start an ice skating injury compensation claim

The Limitation Act 1980 enforces a three-year time limit to make an ice skating injury claim, starting from the date that the accident occurred. After three years, your case will be statute-barred, and the court will no longer accept it. A few exceptions apply to this rule:

• You can make a child injury claim at any time before their 18th birthday, regardless of when their injury occurred. Afterwards, they have another three years to start a claim themselves.
• If the claimant cannot conduct legal proceedings due to a brain injury or a long-term illness such as schizophrenia, the time limit is suspended. In such cases, a litigation friend could claim for them at any time.
• You have two years to make a claim through the CICA if you were the victim of a criminal assault at an ice rink.

As with any claim, you should speak to a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible. This will ensure the availability of evidence and make it easier for them to put together a compelling ice skating accident claim.

How much compensation could I claim for an ice skating accident?

The amount of compensation you could receive for a personal injury claim will depend on the losses you incurred due to the accident. Your solicitor will include two types of damages in your settlement:

General damages are awarded for the subjective effects of the injury on your life, such as:

• Physical pain and suffering
• Emotional and mental distress
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Impacts on your hobbies and social activities
• Scarring and disfigurement

Special damages are awarded for the financial losses and expenses associated with the injury, such as:

• Private treatments and prescriptions
• Loss of earnings during recovery
• Costs of care and assistance
• Repairing or replacing damaged property
• Travel expenses to and from medical appointments

Our compensation calculator offers various examples of compensation amounts you could receive based on the type and severity of your injury.

Can I make a personal injury claim on a No Win No Fee basis?

If you are eligible for ice skating accident compensation, your solicitor will offer a no-win, no-fee agreement. They will take on the risk of litigation and will not ask for any upfront fees to work on your case.

If they make a successful claim, their costs will be deducted from your settlement. They will receive a success fee of up to 25% of your payment for general damages and past financial losses. If you lose the claim, you do not have to pay them a single penny.

For further peace of mind, your solicitor will also take out After the Event (ATE) insurance on your behalf,  which will cover all the litigation costs if your claim fails. These include:

• Court and counsel fees
• Police and medical reports
• Printing and copying
• Barrister fees if the case goes to court
• The defendant’s expenses and solicitors

You only pay the cost of the ATE premium if you win compensation, which will be established based on the specifics of your case. If you lose the ice skating accident claim, you will not be left out of pocket.

To find out if you may be able to claim compensation for your pain and suffering, contact us by calling 0800 470 0474 for a free case assessment or enter your details here to request a call back.

Last edited on 15th Jul 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.