By Stephen Bishop. Last Updated 11th March 2025. Welcome to our guide to making a personal injury claim for an accident in a public park. When we go to a public park, either for a run, a stroll, to watch the world go by or to simply enjoy being outdoors, we expect to do so without incident. However, accidents can happen.
If you’ve had an accident in a public park, you may be in some pain and need time to heal from your injuries. If the accident was not your fault but due to someone else’s dangerous behaviour or negligence, whether that be the local authorities or otherwise, then you may have grounds to claim for compensation.
Legal Helpline is a claims management company here to help. If you would like to know more about how to make a public liability claim, what sort of accidents are covered or even how much compensation you could receive, please take a look through our guide.
Alternatively, you can contact our specialist team of legal advisors today for advice and support with your case. They can even connect you to our panel of solicitors that can handle your claim on a No Win No Fee basis. For more information, please get in touch today:
- Call 0333 000 0729
- Click here to write to us about your case
- Chat with us using the live link on this page
Jump to a Section
- What Is A Public Park Accident Claim?
- How Long Do I Have To Make A Public Park Injury Claim?
- What Are The Most Common Reasons For A Public Park Accident Claim?
- What Evidence Can Support Public Park Accident Claims?
- How Much Can I Claim For A Public Park Accident?
- No Win No Fee Public Park Accident Claims
What Is A Public Park Accident Claim?
If you visit a public place, such as a park, then you are owed a duty of care by the controller of that public space. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, a controller of a public space should take steps to ensure your reasonable safety while you’re visiting that area. This could include taking regular risk assessments and maintaining any equipment, such as fences or playground equipment, for example.
If you are injured in a public park, then you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim for compensation if you can establish the following:
- You were owed a duty of care.
- This duty was breached by the occupier of the park.
- This breach caused you to suffer your injuries.
You can contact our advisors for free today to learn more about whether you’re eligible to make a park injury claim. Our team can review your potential case, and they may connect you with a solicitor from our panel for support.
How Long Do I Have To Make A Public Park Injury Claim?
As established by the Limitation Act 1980, there is a three-year time limit for starting a personal injury claim. This runs from the date the accident took place.
There are exceptions to this limitation period. If the injured party does not have the require mental capacity to begin their own claim, then the time limit will be paused indefinitely. A litigation friend could claim on their behalf prior to this date. If, however, they late acquire this mental capacity and a claim has not been made, then the time limit will begin from the day of recovery.
Other exceptions also apply for those under the age of 18. Contact our advisors to learn more.
What Are The Most Common Reasons For A Public Park Accident Claim?
Whilst there can be many reasons for starting a public park accident claim, some common examples include:
- A council does not place warning signs around a poorly maintained bench advising visitors to not use the bench, which collapses and causes a neck injury when you sit on it.
- A local authority neglects to repair picnic tables despite knowing they have sharp edges, leading visitors to be permanently scarred.
- Swings or slides are improperly installed or badly designed, resulting in multiple avoidable injuries.
However, it’s important to remember that not every accident in a park will be due to the negligent actions of another. For instance, if you trip over your own feet or slip during icy weather, you may not have grounds to make a claim.
If you would like more information about public park accident compensation claims, please get in touch with one of our advisors.
What Evidence Can Support Public Park Accident Claims?
To support a public park injury claim, you’ll need evidence that:
- Confirms the injuries you’re claiming for.
- Shows how another party breached a duty of care they owed you and how this led to your injuries.
Examples of evidence may include:
- Medical records that confirm your injuries and the treatment you’ve received for them.
- CCTV footage of the accident.
- Photographs of the accident site.
- The contact details of any witnesses who can provide a statement about the park accident.
For more advice about the process of making a park injury claim, contact our advisors for free today. They may also be able to connect you with one of the solicitors on our panel who could help you through the claiming process.
How Much Can I Claim For A Public Park Accident?
In terms of the common payouts given for public park accident claims, council compensation payouts vary wildly, depending on the type of accident, the severity of the initial injury/injuries and the prognosis for future recovery.
Therefore, the answer to ‘how much can I claim for a public park accident?’ is not an easy one. This is why no company should promise in advance a particular amount of money that you will receive for public park accident claims.
It is true, however, that certain types of public park injury claims are often subject to common payment brackets. In the below chart, you can view compensation guidelines based on the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This may be used by those calculating your injury claim for general damages, since it lists various kinds of injuries alongside guideline compensation brackets.
Alternatively, please call our experts, who will be able to furnish you will further information as to the typical amounts awarded for your specific accident in a public park.
| Injury | Compensation Guidelines | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Serious Injuries and Special Damages | Up to £300,000+ | A compensation settlement for suffering multiple serious injuries and special damages such as lost earnings and medical expenses. |
| Back Injuries – Severe (i) | £111,150 to £196,450 | Nerve root and spinal cord damage often sees this type of payout. Severe pain and disability will lead to issues like a significantly impaired bladder. |
| Back Injuries - Moderate (i) | £33,880 to £47,320 | Often residual disability will be present. Injuries can include damage to discs and lumbar vertebrae compression. |
| Leg Injuries - Severe (iii) Serious | £47,840 to £66,920 | Serious comminuted or compound fractures, or injuries to ligaments/joints. |
| Leg Injuries - Less Serious (ii) Simple Fracture of a Femur With No Damage To Articular Surfaces | £11,120 to £17,180 | Simple femur fractures without articular surface damage. |
| Shoulder Injuries – Severe | £23,430 to £58,610 | Covers significant disability caused by brachial plexus damage. |
| Shoulder Injuries – Serious | £15,580 to £23,430 | Cases include dislocation and injury to the lower brachial plexus. |
| Pelvis and Hips - Moderate (i) | £32,450 to £47,810 | A significant hip or pelvis injury that doesn't result in a major permanent disability. |
| Arm Injuries - Less Severe Injury | £23,430 to £47,810 | A substantial degree of recovery will have taken place (or is expected to) despite significant disabilities. |
No Win No Fee Public Park Accident Claims
A No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel could represent your claim for an injury in a public park under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This contract typically means you’ll not pay any upfront or ongoing fees for their work. Also, if your claim fails, you won’t be charged for any work they have completed on your case.
Following the completion of a successful claim, you will pay a success fee from your compensation. However, this is deducted as a legally capped percentage.
A solicitor from our panel could help you gather evidence to support your claim, explain any areas of that claims process that are unfamiliar, and value your claim.
Our advisors can tell you if you have a valid public park accident compensation claim through a free consultation. If your claim meets the required criteria, they may connect you with a solicitor from our panel. Get in touch today to learn more.
You can get in touch by:
- Calling 0333 000 0729
- Using our contact form
- Or by chatting with us using the live link on this page
Helpful Links
Playground Health and Safety Information
This document, produced by the HSE, covers research into the benefits, risks and choices to be made when providing playground spaces for children.
ROSPA – Playground accident advice and stats
This is ROSPA’s publication that provides information on accidents on playgrounds, why they occur and what can be done to prevent them.
You can also check out some of our other public liability claims guides below:
