Skydiving Accident Claims

Skydiving is a thrilling extreme sport that involves jumping from an aircraft, typically at high altitudes. Experienced skydivers typically free-fall and perform acrobatic manoeuvres for a period before deploying a parachute to land safely on the ground.

While catastrophic injuries are rare, skydiving accidents can sometimes happen, both during tandem jumps and solo jumps. These can be due to equipment failure, inadequate landing techniques, mid-air collisions or lack of proper training.

If you or a loved one were injured while skydiving, you may be able to make a skydiving accident claim. Common injuries for which you could claim compensation include sprains, fractures, head injuries, facial injuries and internal organ damage. If your case has merit, an experienced solicitor will offer you a no win no fee service and guide you through all the steps of the claims process.

If you feel you may have a valid personal injury claim for skydiving negligence, contact us today by calling free on 0800 470 0474. You can also enter your details into our online claim form, and you will receive a call back with no obligation to proceed.

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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 skydiving centres
• Can I make a skydiving accident claim?
• What evidence do I need to claim compensation for a skydiving accident?
• What situations could lead to a skydiving injury claim?
• Common injuries caused by skydiving accidents
• Can I claim for a skydiving accident abroad?
• Will I be able to make a claim if I have signed a waiver?
• Making a claim for a fatal skydiving accident
• What is the time limit to make a skydiving injury compensation claim?
• How much compensation for a skydiving injury can I claim?
• Can I hire a solicitor on a No Win No Fee basis?

Duty of care of skydiving centres

Skydiving centres owe all skydivers a duty of care to ensure they are safe throughout the entire experience. This duty stems from various legislation, such as the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Consumer Protection Act 1987. The key responsibilities of skydiving centres under these acts include:

• Carry out regular risk assessments to identify risks of accidents and injuries;
• Take reasonable steps to minimise or eliminate these risks;
• Ensure all instructors are qualified and capable of supervising jumps;
• Provide adequate training to those who are new to skydiving, including on how to deploy the parachute safely, emergency protocols and proper landing techniques;
• Ensure that all equipment, such as helmets, parachutes and harnesses, are regularly inspected, maintained, and safe for use;
• Make sure all skydivers have a reserve parachute if the main one fails to deploy;
• Provide equipment that is properly fitted and adjusted to each user;
• Monitor weather conditions and postpone jumps in case of hazards such as high winds or poor visibility;
• Assess the physical and mental well-being of participants before allowing them to jump;
• Have clear emergency protocols in place in case of injuries or equipment malfunctions.

If you suffered a psychological or physical injury due to a breach of any of these safety standards, you may be able to claim skydiving accident compensation.

Can I make a skydiving accident claim?

While skydiving is an inherently risky sport, most accidents can be prevented by following the safety guidelines mentioned above. Many things can go wrong if these are breached, leading to various incidents.

If you suffered any injury while skydiving, the easiest way to find out if you could make a claim is through a free consultation with an experienced legal adviser. To have a valid case, the following must be proven:

• The skydiving company or another party owed you a duty of care legally.
• They breached this duty and caused a skydiving accident.
• You suffered an injury or injuries as a result.

If these apply to your case, a personal injury lawyer will help you claim compensation for the harm you suffered. They will handle all communication with the other party and provide support and advice at every step of the claims process.

What evidence do I need to claim compensation for a skydiving accident?

Every compensation claim must be supported by relevant evidence. This will have to prove how the accident occurred, who was at fault and how it has affected your life. You should try to provide the following (don’t worry, your solicitor will help you with this):

• Photographs of the accident scene, any hazards that have contributed to it, and your injuries;
• A copy of your medical records to prove the type and severity of the injuries suffered;
• A medical report from an independent specialist regarding any long-term injuries and future care needs;
• A written record of what happened while the events are still fresh in your memory;
• A copy of an accident report filed with the skydiving company;
• Contact details of any witnesses who saw what happened or how the accident has affected you;
• Your training records will show the level of instruction you received from the skydiving company;
• A copy of the waiver you signed before the jump;
• You will also need documents related to your financial losses, such as receipts and bank statements.

What situations could lead to a skydiving injury claim?

British Skydiving, also known as the British Parachute Association (BPA), was founded in 1961 and is the national governing body for skydiving in the UK. The BPA publishes data that offers valuable insight into the statistics behind skydiving accidents, such as the injury rate by skydiver experience.

For example, the rate of injury for beginners is about 1 per 250 jumps, while in professional skydiving, it drops to 1 in 4000 jumps. The fatality rate is approximately 1 in 33,000 for beginners and just under 1 in 168,000 for experienced skydivers.

Some of the most common causes of skydiving accidents include:

• Equipment malfunctions, such as the parachute failing to deploy correctly, tangled parachute lines or canopy collapses;
• Human error, such as a failure to deploy the parachute in time, not packing the parachute properly or failure to respond to an emergency;
• Mid-air collisions with other skydivers, the aircraft or other objects when jumping;
• Landing issues, such as failure to slow the descent or landing in hazardous areas such as water, trees or power lines;
• Environmental factors like strong winds, heavy rain, fog or turbulence;
• Insufficient or poor training provided by the skydiving company;
• Medical issues such as loss of consciousness due to oxygen deprivation, heart attack or other underlying conditions.

If your accident was due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a skydiving injury claim. This will enable you to receive compensation for your injuries and any related financial losses, such as lost wages or private physiotherapy costs.

Common injuries caused by skydiving accidents

A skydiving accident can cause a wide range of injuries, ranging from minor to significant and life-changing. In the most unfortunate cases, a skydiving incident can even be fatal. Different methods of parachuting carry different risks of injury, but these mainly include:

• Broken bones. A hard landing or collision during descent can result in fractures, particularly in the legs, arms or pelvis.
• Dislocations. If you pull the parachute cord awkwardly or land improperly, a bone could be pushed out of its place in a joint.
• Back injuries. A severe jolt during a hard landing or mid-air collision can lead to herniated discs and spinal fractures, potentially causing long-term mobility issues.
• Head injuries. If you hit your head on the ground or any object during the jump or the landing, you could suffer a concussion or traumatic brain injury.
• Internal injuries. Significant impact from a high-speed fall or an abrupt landing can lead to internal organ damage or bleeding, which can be life-threatening.
• Sprains and strains. Improper landings or sudden movements while controlling the parachute can cause sprains and strains in the muscles or ligaments, particularly in the ankles or wrists.
• Facial injuries. A face-first collision with the ground or another object can result in severe facial injuries, including broken bones, dental damage, or lacerations.
• Neck injuries. The force from parachute deployment or an abrupt landing can cause whiplash or neck fractures, which can severely limit movement or cause chronic pain.
• Paralysis. In severe accidents, spinal cord injuries can lead to partial or complete paralysis, affecting the lower body (paraplegia) or all four limbs (quadriplegia).

Can I claim for a skydiving accident abroad?

Yes, it is also possible to make a claim if you had an accident while skydiving abroad. However, the process can be more complex, especially if you have to make your injury claim in a different country.

If you booked a holiday through a UK-based tour operator and the skydiving was part of the package, you may be able to claim under the Package Travel and Linked Travel Arrangements Regulations 2018, holding the travel company liable for negligence.

If you were injured abroad, it is essential to seek expert advice from a specialist solicitor as soon as possible. They will be able to navigate the foreign legal system and make sure that your claim is filed correctly and within the relevant time limit. This is important, as the time limit for making a claim can vary from country to country.

Will I be able to make a claim if I have signed a waiver?

A waiver is a legal document that skydiving centres often use to limit their liability for personal injuries. When you sign a waiver, you indicate that you understand that skydiving carries risks and that you consent to take on these risks.

However, the waiver does not entirely absolve the centre of responsibility in case of a breach of statutory duties. If the centre or its staff were negligent, you may still have grounds to claim skydiving injury compensation, even if you signed a waiver before the skydive.

Furthermore, it is essential that you fully understand the risks involved before signing a waiver. If you can prove that you did not fully understand what you signed or that you received inadequate information, the waiver may be invalid.

To sum up, while it could be more challenging to make a successful claim if you signed a waiver, it does not bar you from seeking compensation in the event of a skydiving accident.

Making a claim for a fatal skydiving accident

The fatality rate among experienced skydivers is incredibly low, at just under 1 in 168,000. However, such accidents can happen due to parachute malfunctions, hard landings or inadequate safety procedures and can have a profound emotional impact on the victim’s loved ones.

While making a compensation claim will not bring your loved one back or ease your pain, it can help you cope financially with the impact of losing them.

Anyone who classifies as a dependent of the deceased can start a fatal accident claim, including parents, children, siblings and civil partners. If you qualify for compensation, you could make a claim for the following:

• The loss of financial support expected from your loved one, such as salary, bonuses, pensions and other sources of income;
• The loss of services they provided, such as childcare, household chores or gardening;
• The financial losses and expenses they incurred between the accident and the date of death, such as any medical bills and lost wages;
• Reasonable funeral expenses like wreaths and the cost of a monument;
• A statutory bereavement award of £15,120 for the grief and suffering caused by the wrongful death of your loved one.

What is the time limit to make a skydiving injury compensation claim?

In most cases, you have three years to start a skydiving injury claim if you are involved in an accident that was not your fault. This limitation date is set by the Limitation Act 1980 and cannot be surpassed, or your case will be statute-barred and no longer considered valid. 

Starting a claim for negligence as soon as possible will ensure that you do not miss this deadline and that your solicitor will have better access to evidence.

A few exceptions apply to the three-year time limit for making the claim:

• If you were under 18 at the time of the accident, the three years only begin to run on your 18th birthday. Before this date, a parent or another suitable adult can make a child injury claim for you at any time.
• If the claimant has suffered a severe injury and cannot handle a claim, a litigation friend could represent them. In this case, the time limit is put on hold until recovery.
• If you lost a loved one due to a skydiving accident, you could start a claim within three years after they passed away.
• If you were injured while skydiving abroad, you may still be entitled to claim compensation. However, the time limit could depend on the foreign country and may be much shorter than three years.

How much compensation for a skydiving injury can I claim?

The amount you could receive for a skydiving injury compensation claim will depend on the accident circumstances and the severity of the injuries sustained. Your solicitor will ensure you receive the compensation you deserve by including two types of damages in your claim:

• General damages cover the non-financial losses caused by your injuries, such as pain and suffering, disability or disfigurement, loss of enjoyment of life and mental trauma. This is based on the type and severity of the harm you suffered and is calculated according to the guidelines from the Judicial College.
• Special damages cover financial losses and expenses related to your accident. These could include prescriptions, private treatments, medical aids, care costs and loss of earnings during recovery. They are supported by evidence, such as invoices and payslips.

According to our compensation calculator, you could receive between £7,780 to £12,010 for minor leg injuries with complete recovery and up to £379,100 for very serious brain injuries.

Can I hire a solicitor on a No Win No Fee basis?

If you have a valid claim for skydiving accident compensation, your solicitor will offer you a 100% no win no fee service. You will not have to pay them anything beforehand or if your case is unsuccessful.

Under a no win no fee agreement, you only pay your legal representative a success fee if and after you receive compensation. This fee cannot be more than 25% of your award for general damages and past financial losses. If you lose, you will not have to pay your solicitor a single penny.

With no win no fee, you can also take out After the Event (ATE) insurance. This way, if you lose the claim, the ATE will cover all the litigation costs, including the defendant’s expenses, so you will not be left out of pocket.

To start a personal injury claim today or learn more about how much compensation you could be entitled to, call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back. You will receive a free consultation with a legal adviser, which is provided without any obligation to proceed.

Last edited on 8th Aug 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.