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Preteens

Parenting a preteen can be a minefield. Find support here.

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Original poster

Ice skating for birthday gathering 11 year olds am in danger of being sued if a child gets hurt

26 replies

Hyland · 25/07/2013 16:33

I know it seems crazy but it's ice which of course is slippery. So if one of them was to fall and brake/ fracture something would I be liable

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AgentProvocateur · 25/07/2013 16:35

No, of course not.

Would you sue if your friend took your DD ice-skating and she fell and broke her arm?

Accidents happen.

5madthings · 25/07/2013 16:39

Nope assuming you are taking them to an ice rink they will have public liability insurance anyway.

But accidents do happen and they are just that, accidents, no suing necessary.

I took ds2 and his friends 'tubing' at the local ski slope for his 11th bday, no major injuries but I know a friends kid broke their collar bone doing it, but they didn't sue, it was an accident.

Original poster

Hyland · 25/07/2013 16:40

No but my neighbours child fractures her arm when she slipped down our stairs and he mum threatened to sue me so wasn't sure.

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Original poster

Hyland · 25/07/2013 16:43

I'm sure I'm panicking over nothing but these days nothing would surprise me.

I was worried that perhaps I have a certain level of Duty of Care to them all, ie certain amount of adults on the ice with them for a ratio of children per adult. Or can I sit on the side and watch, with any parents who wish to stay.

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TeenAndTween · 25/07/2013 16:50

presumably neighbours child isn't invited?

TeenAndTween · 25/07/2013 16:56

Seriously though, you shouldn't need to worry about being sued, but given your update I can see why you would have a concern.

How many children?
Are they sensible or liable to be over-boisterous?
Are the parents sensible, or like your neighbour?
Can you skate?

I would not wish to be in sole charge of 14 11 year old boisterous boys at an ice-rink, but would be happy with 6 sensible 11 year old girls.

If you can skate you can go over if you see any silly behaviour. If you can't then having another adult around would help you. (They have staff members on the ice too normally who pick up on skating the wrong way around etc too).

Hope it goes well

Original poster

Hyland · 25/07/2013 16:57

Ha ha no she's two years younger, just inviting the year 6 girls very small class of 7 girls and possibly 3 from year 5.

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BackforGood · 25/07/2013 16:58

As long as you aren't taking your loopy neighbour's child, then of course you don't. I mean, if your child hurt themselves at someone else's party, would you sue, or would you think 'Never mind, accidents happen' ?

PeterParkerSays · 25/07/2013 17:02

Your neighbour can keep her child at home, and never go elsewhere to play then, if she thinks that her child falling downstairs is the fault of the parent in the house she was visiting.

Original poster

Hyland · 25/07/2013 17:03

I can stay up on my feet lol and skate around a bit ( but I don't pretend to be very good) but in not awful.. I'm normally on edge for the first 10 mins gain my confidence and then I can join everyone going round and round.

These Girls are relatively sensible .... Maybe one likes to be overly silly/ giggly (ie fall over to make the others laugh)

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bigTillyMint · 25/07/2013 17:10

It's highly unlikely that there will be an accident but I would worry more about the uncoordinated ones than the jokers - DD's BF had a skating party and the two least competent ones went round together. One fell and broke her leg The couple of skating parties that we've done, the DC only invited children who could skate already/were confident to try!

FionaJT · 26/07/2013 22:17

I've taken my dd plus 5 friends ice skating for her last 2 birthdays (7 & 8). The nervous ones just crept round the sides holding onto the edge, there's always loads of attendants and I have another adult with me too. No injuries yet, it's a great party to do! (Dd has early January birthday so we go to one of the temporary outdoor rinks).

Sparklingbrook · 26/07/2013 22:21

Our local ice rink has these. No need for clinging to the sides.

Original poster

Hyland · 27/07/2013 16:47

Our local has the penguins too, but I'm not sure how a bunch of 11 year olds will feel about have the equivalent to bicycle stabilisers lol

I hope to check if they still do the birthday packages which sounds babyish but I think it just includes a meal of burger and chips and staff who can supervise the group until they are are confident to do it alone.

Make sure skates and laces are done tight enough so that no one gets an ankle injury etc.

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Thyeternalsummer · 27/07/2013 17:05

Partner's daughter (10) fell and chipped her front tooth - needing emergency dental work, at a roller skating party last year.

Of course there was no talk of suing BUT I did think at the time whether roller skating was the best idea for a birthday party of excited pre teen girls.

I think parents would just accept that if their daughter is going ice skating, then of course there is a risk of falling and minor injuries. Par for the course.

Sparklingbrook · 27/07/2013 17:08

There was a school trip of 13 year olds and I saw a pic on FB and they all had a penguin Hyland.

DS2 goes to a roller disco every Friday and although he is still getting the hang of it he thoroughly enjoys it, and his mates check on him if he falls over.

PuppyMonkey · 27/07/2013 17:10

The acceptance of an invitation implies they are aware that the event is at an ice rink where slipping is a possibility, but the parents are willing to take the risk and agree for their kids to go. You're not forcing them to do it.

I speak as someone who broke her wrist ice skating in 2004.

The guy in first aid office told me it happens on the hour every hour.

I still let DD and friends go ice skating for her 13th birthday.

Me. I stated in the cafe that time.

Original poster

Hyland · 27/07/2013 19:58

Wow on the hour every hour, that's a scary stat... I would feel really bad if someone hurt themselves but I like the idea that the common sense will tell you that they will probably fall over ... But the reality of a mum leaving with their child who has hurt themselves is a little off putting ... Even if they do accept it politely and gracefully.... I'm in two minds now on what to do, but u am coming round to the fact that the girls may be more accepting of having a penguin than I first thought.

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lljkk · 28/07/2013 20:25

You're overthinking this, are you prone to anxiety about other things?

Make it clear on invite that the event is ice-skating & parents can't sue you. They might be able to sue the venue if reasonable care is not taken (very hard to prove, anyway).

MrsReacher · 28/07/2013 20:36

DD1 had a bowling party for her 8th birthday and one of the girls dropped a bowling ball on her toe ! Had to take her home bleeding with the nail hanging off Her mom sued the bowling alley I had to write a statement as the adult in charge! At least she didn't sue me personally I suppose but Don't underestimate what some people will do for money !

lljkk · 28/07/2013 20:47

Was the suit successful, Reacher?

MrsReacher · 28/07/2013 22:34

It actually was, I'm not sure of the exact value, but the mother told me she would get the money when she is 18, which is actually later on this year. DD went to a different secondary school though so I guess I won't find out the value.

lljkk · 29/07/2013 10:14

I wonder what the basis of the suit was? That she was allowed inappropriate shoes or the ball was too heavy?

MrsReacher · 29/07/2013 20:24

I have no idea to be honest but I do know they went through one of those no win no fee firms and one of the facts put forward was that she couldn't continue dancing lessons for some time after. I do occasionally play up DD1 when she is Fed up with fitting part time work round her college course that X does not have to worry as she will be getting a pay out soon

Original poster

Hyland · 29/07/2013 20:50

My daughter has had two bowling parties and no accidents, but nice to know someone agrees with me that some people are not shy about sueing.

I'm not prone to anxiety lol at least I don't think so, but after the neighbour threatening to sue me over her child falling down our stairs .... It does make you wonder.

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