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Original poster

AIBU to consider a claim after my child broke his arm?

95 replies

ThisLemonMaker · 24/09/2026 18:43

My child broke 2 bones in his arm at school last week falling off the monkey bars. He had to have an operation to have metal into the arm. He is going to have bad scaring and will have to go under GA again to have the metal removed. This isn’t the first time children have broken bones on the monkey bars at the school. Do you think I’m being unreasonable to contact a solicitor and make a claim? My thinking is that we won’t know for sure yet if any nerves have been effected and what recovery will look like also if he will be conscious of the scars when older. I have no issues with the school otherwise and don’t wish this to affect my child at school. AIBU?

OP posts:
TheBers · 24/09/2026 19:20

So how did he get on the bars if he couldn’t reach them? Are you saying the school put him on the bars?

To ve honest if you are just looking for cash when he’s 18, you are doing it for the wrong reasons. A payout is supposed to compensate for a loss of something not a couple of days off school.

Kingfisherfan65 · 24/09/2026 19:19

You would need to prove negligence or a breach of duty on the part of the school. On the face of it, that doesn't sound very likely due to the circumstances. There is nothing to stop you seeking legal advice though.

user1467306011 · 24/09/2026 19:19

If your child can't reach without jumping then there is no way to blame the school. The world has truly gone mm and if you genuinely feel the school should be sued and pay for this accident. The accident that was caused entirely by your own son.

MatildaTheCat · 24/09/2026 19:17

Why do you think he will have bad scarring? It’s very likely to be minimal and will fade quickly.

Laying fault with the school is going to end up with stress and costs to them and most likely the monkey bars will go. Which is a shame because Lord knows kids move little enough already.

Treat it as a lesson to know his limits and just a bit of a setback. He will be fine. Most kids will have accidents at some point. It’s part of growing up.

Namechange478744 · 24/09/2026 19:17

I broke my wrist aged 7 falling off the monkey bars in a playground.

I told my mum to catch me if I fell and she didn't... Should I have sued her? 🤣

RaininSummer · 24/09/2026 19:16

No you don't. Kids have accidents.

Pedant61 · 24/09/2026 19:16

It was an accident. Of course it would be utterly ridiculous to make a claim.... you are just ambulance-chasing, OP, and it's not a good look.

HowardTJMoon · 24/09/2026 19:16

"My child did something dumb and got hurt. How can I make money from this?"

StarPyjamas · 24/09/2026 19:16

ThisLemonMaker · 24/09/2026 19:05

It wouldn’t be for myself it would be for when my child is 18. My son can’t reach the monkey bars so had to jump to reach and fell.

I poked myself in the eye this morning whilst applying my mascara.

Perhaps I should sue Maybelline?

MajorSamanthaCarter · 24/09/2026 19:16

ThisLemonMaker · 24/09/2026 19:05

It wouldn’t be for myself it would be for when my child is 18. My son can’t reach the monkey bars so had to jump to reach and fell.

User error then.

SpottyPyjama · 24/09/2026 19:15

What exactly do you think the school did wrong?

Moonnstarz · 24/09/2026 19:15

ThisLemonMaker · 24/09/2026 19:05

It wouldn’t be for myself it would be for when my child is 18. My son can’t reach the monkey bars so had to jump to reach and fell.

This post can't be real.

Perhaps you should just ask for your child to sit out of any activities in the future, and not go on any trips or residentials.

Sounds like an accident so not sure if it's real what you would be sueing for.

ColdAsAWitches · 24/09/2026 19:15

ThisLemonMaker · 24/09/2026 19:05

It wouldn’t be for myself it would be for when my child is 18. My son can’t reach the monkey bars so had to jump to reach and fell.

And in what way is any of that the school's fault? You've just explained why you don't have a case!

Overthebow · 24/09/2026 19:13

It was an accident, it wasn’t the schools fault.

ZippyPeer · 24/09/2026 19:12

Monkey bars are really good for children.

Accidents happen.

Suing the school is a dick move.

TrepidationOfTheSpheres · 24/09/2026 19:12

think of all the good skills and development that he's had by using the monkey bars - they're great for all kinds of things. Yes, accidents happen.

needing plate/pins sometimes just happens, regardless of the severity of the fall. I fell over on the pavement, but just happened to break mine in a way that needed it. Others fall in a much worse way, but don't need the surgery.

I have scars but they're just there, not a big problem. I haven't had the metalwork removed; it's optional unless it causes an issue.

What good would suing them do? What do you want them to do - remove the monkey bars, and all the good things they bring? If there's something specific like different flooring/matting, then perhaps ask about that or raise money for it.

arethereanyleftatall · 24/09/2026 19:11

If you are serious - what a horrible horrible thing to think of doing. Selfish, so nasty. I assume this is a joke. Thankfully you’d get nowhere, since it was his own fault entirely, but the whole thought process is so so grim.
it is this kind of thing that is literally sucking the joy out of kids lives. Thousands of kids enjoy playing every day on a monkey bar, but the end result is - they take it down. No more fun kids.

TeenToTwenties · 24/09/2026 19:10

No. It was an accident. Accidents happen. Tough.

Goldensprat · 24/09/2026 19:10

I think that would be a real shame, OP. The school might have to remove the monkey bars, which are a great piece of equipment that the children in the school will really benefit from as a collective.

Yes, sometimes accidents happen but could also happen falling off a swing or another kind of climbing frame. The benefits outweigh the risks.

Rosebud987 · 24/09/2026 19:09

My daughter broke her arm in 6 places in a similar incident, had nerve damage, the hospital operated and actually made a mistake that made it even worse and I still didn’t claim. And I am a solicitor! Kids fall, it’s an accident. Hope he’s better soon but no don’t claim.

wigglycactus · 24/09/2026 19:08

My child broke their wrist falling from the monkey bars at school. They had to have a metal pin inserted (and removed) and missed a few days of school etc. They do have scarring. It literally not once crossed my mind to think about suing the school over this. You absolutely would be that parent and your relationship with the school would be tarnished by something like this.

GardenCovent · 24/09/2026 19:08

So it’s your sons over confidence that caused the accident?

Binnyforthewin · 24/09/2026 19:07

Are you American?

allthemind · 24/09/2026 19:06

Oh ffs

Original poster
ThisLemonMaker · 24/09/2026 19:05

It wouldn’t be for myself it would be for when my child is 18. My son can’t reach the monkey bars so had to jump to reach and fell.

OP posts: