Knocked front teeth out at school

[ChrissieKeller61]

So I’ll try and keep this brief.
Child was playing on a raised platform, bit like decking in the absolute pouring rain. There was actually a sever weather warning that day.
So he falls. I get a phone call to pick him up and am handed his front teeth shorn off. Adult teeth.
We’ve had NHS treatment and they’ve capped them with composite filling. But he’s in on going pain. And this solution is temporary. Long term he’ll need veneers maybe even implants.
This going to be an ongoing cost for the rest of his life.
A few friends have suggested we see a solicitor. But who am I claiming against the local authority?

[ChrissieKeller61]

I did ask the question up front. I’ll deal with the legalities. No need for a lawyer

[Fallulah]

It may not be as bad as you imagine. I knocked mine off on the bottom of a swimming pool when I was ten and still have the same composite caps thirty years later, even through having a brace.

[mytypeonpaper]

That's terrible- I'd be asking for a referral to the nearest dental hospital as they do implants for certain circumstances- he won't be able to have then until he's older but at least he'll be on the books

[ChrissieKeller61]

mytypeonpaper - has quotes of £3,000 each locally. The dental hospital aren’t interested they patched it up tgeirwork is done

[YasssKween]

I’ll deal with the legalities. No need for a lawyer

Do you mean because you're a lawyer? Or because you are planning on dealing with it yourself but you aren't a lawyer?

If the latter surely it's worth at least asking a local one if your claim has got a chance of being successful?

[PaquitaVariation]

When I was a teacher we had to check all outdoor equipment daily and initial to say we’d done it and that we’d decided it was safe to use that day. If some wooden play equipment was slippery it would be out of bounds for that day. Incidents like your son’s are exactly why schools have insurance.

[Thefaceofboe]

Just a bit of reassurence, I knocked my 4 front teeth out when I was 15 and got veneers which are still on 10 years later and I forget I have them. They don’t need replacing often

[Clymene]

The OP doesn't want advice or positive stories. She just wants to know who she should sue

[MitziK]

Who do you sue?

Nobody. He fell no further than he would have done if he'd been one step up from the bottom of the stairs. An accident.

Shit happens to kids. He might not have done his laces up properly and half slipped out of his shoe. He could have been behaving like an utter twit at the time. Or he could have just not been looking where he was going and fallen over his own feet, which would have had exactly the same result had he fallen over on the level surface of the corridor.

There's a reason why there is a need for first aid trained staff in schools - because kids fall over, they fracture wrists, catch fingers, run into one another, trip over, bounce balls into their faces, put themselves the other side of a rapidly opening door and generally damage themselves.

[getyourgrooveon]

Who do I sue was the question?

Sigh.

[ChrissieKeller61]

I want my child compensated for his ongoing medical bills and the pain and suffering caused. I’ve spoken to solicitors they have seen the photographs etc, it’s very straight forward so no need to escalate the costs.
And no with the greatest of respects I’m not really interested in people’s experiences because it’s so individual isn’t it, what might be acceptable to one person may not for another. The current “solution” is temporary and not acceptable long term

[Oblomov20]

Christ almighty. I am staggered at people saying it was an accident.
Thus is total negligence, surely?

[Mlou32]

It was an unfortunate accident. This is why health and safety has went mad in this country; because of people suing over genuine accidents.

[Lipperfromchipper]

This is why parents in Ireland pay for school insurance €9 for the year to cover for these types of accidents...yes I would claim OP!! And I don’t say things like that easily AT ALL!!Your child’s mouth has been permanently damaged and you may have to eventually fork out for damsons sort of dental treatment if problems arise from it!!

[YasssKween]

I’ve spoken to solicitors they have seen the photographs etc, it’s very straight forward so no need to escalate the costs.

Did they not advise who you would actually be best placed to sue? Surely that's the first question you'd ask them once they said you have a case, even if you don't then appoint them?

[Clymene]

If you've spoken to solicitors, why the fuck are you asking a load of randoms off the internet?

[ChrissieKeller61]

@ YasssKween, I’d had to pay for that advice I presume and I wasn’t prepared to. I’ll deal with it myself

[PurpleCrowbarWhereIsLangCleg]

I think your best bet, if you are set on finding someone to sue, would be a 'no win no fee' ambulance chaser type firm. They will be able to advise you as to whether you have any sort of case.

I think it comes under 'unfortunate accident, kids do slip & bash their teeth', tbh, & wouldn't be looking to sue anyone.

[TopBitchoftheWitches]

Who do I sue?

No one, it was an accident.

[siring1]

Christ almighty. I am staggered at people saying it was an negligence.
This is a total accident, surely?

[TopBitchoftheWitches]

I may have missed this but how old is the child?

[bringbackspanishflu]

Do they have insurance you can claim on rather that sue?

[PixieDustt]

I don't think they will pay out. They could also argue you can apply for individual request for funding on the NHS for the implants/veneers.

[Todaythiscouldbe]

Who do you sue? Nobody, your child had an accident. Have you asked to see the risk assessment? Have you asked what your son was doing when he fell? What does the accident report say?

[FoamingAtTheUterus]

It wasnt an accident. It was negligent.

Sending kids out to play in weather so bad there's weather warnings is just bloody stupid. As is having raised decking with no fencing.

I think your son has a good case. Definitely have a good look at the decking and see how well maintained it is, because that stuff is lethal when it goes green and gungy, stupid choice for outdoor flooring tbh.