Fireman’s pole showing concrete at bottom

The boy, who was 4 at the time of the accident, was at the playground in Peterborough on a dry sunny day.  It was a playground he attended frequently and he was using a fireman’s pole, which he used on most occasions when he played there.  On this occasion, however, the boy hit his head on exposed concrete at the bottom of the pole as there were no wood chippings present.  The boy’s parents took him to the A & E department of Peterborough City Hospital where he was diagnosed with a 3-4cm deep wound to the forehead with 2 further lacerations lateral to the right eyebrow which were all treated under local anaesthetic.  Whilst the boy recovered well, the scarring will be permanent.

The boy’s mother contacted Graysons to see if she could make a claim for compensation for her son.  Richard took up the case.

Richard Clarke

Richard contacted Amey UK Plc., who maintained the park, to pursue a claim against it for negligence, suggesting that the firm had:

• allowed the play equipment to be used by children when it was dangerous to do so
• failed to inspect, maintain and keep the equipment safe
• failed to warn users of the danger of using the equipment
• failed to fence off the fireman’s pole to stop people from using it

Amey accepted breach of duty and Richard was able negotiate a settlement of £12,000.

If you, or one of your children, is injured in a public place and you want to know whether you can claim compensation, please contact our experts now.  You can find out more about child accidents and accidents in public places on our website.