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]

Obviously it’s an accident the staff didn’t shove him off the slippery raised platform. However as repeatedly pointed out risk assessments of out door equipment is to be carried out daily. Plain common sense which isn’t all that common would have been to keep the children off it, sweep away wet leaves etc. My child should not be paying for this for the rest of its life

[YesILikeItToo]

www.lexisnexis.co.uk/legal/guidance/claims-against-schools

This looks pretty useful. Why not sign up for the free trial so you can read it all and decide what the right analysis of your case is? Then you’ll know who to sue?

[FoamingAtTheUterus]

Bring back the school will have insurance. And it will be the insurance that pays out.

[Clymene]

It's quite impressive that you can determine it was negligence @FoamingAtTheUterus. We're you there? Have you seen the green and grungy decking or are you just making it up?

[ChrissieKeller61]

@YesILikeItToo Thank you

[OhMeows]

I knocked out my 4 top front teeth as a child.

How old are they? First or second teeth?

[Grasspigeons]

You just do a letter of claim (i think thats what its called now) to the head. They alert their insurer/LA who decide if they think they want to pay out - they will do their own investigation too. If they say no - you can then try more 'agressive' action if you feel they arent right No idea of the processs anymore - presume its still a form at the small claims court.

[ChrissieKeller61]

@ Grasspigeons thank you

[siring1]

This is Mumsnet Clymene.

No actual knowledge of the sitution is required to sort this one out. An accident has happened so Mumsnet screams "Shocking" "Sue" "Report" "I'd be wanting to know..."

Facts are a tedious distraction form the real business of being angry.

[Sunshine1239]

Defo claim

Decking is extremely slippy when wet and regardless that’s what insurance is for

Don’t be a hero as long term it could be costly

Permanent fixing won’t happen until child is an adult so will have to be paid for

Dd has temporary filling or composite on her front teeth but weve been told it will need to be sorted properly after 18. There could be a wide difference between nhs acceptable and what I consider acceptable for a girls front tooth!

Even now I had to complain and push massively for bleaching and permanent composite - what they wanted to do would have embarrassed the hell out of her. I didn’t have to pay in the end for this extra cosmetic touch but I imagine as an adult I would have had to

[Sunshine1239]

When dds mouth has stopped changing at 18 it’ll be costly to fix to a standard I’m happy with. Nhs care more about function than appearance

You at least have choice to redeem some costs to help 💐

[Boomboomboomboom]

You really won't be able to do this yourself. Person injury claims for children have a special litigation process (one you cannot avoid) and you'll need solicitors as there is a special pre action protocol to follow, you'll need medical evidence and counsel's advice, and have any settlement approved by the court. It isn't possible to settle out of court like you can for an adult.
As you are so sure this is negligence try and find a low cost personal injury specialist or one than does no win no fee. They can advise on merits and liability too.

[Sleeveen]

What @Grasspigeons said. With luck it doesn’t have to be any aggressive legal action, just a routine claim on school insurance. I would pursue in your case.

[YesILikeItToo]

That’s interesting boom.

[WoWsers16]

A total accident - but looks like you have money signs so will sue whatever.
I don't understand how it will cost as much- as as much as you think all stories are different and yours is obviously above everyone else's, but my son had his teeth break when he fell off his bike and they've filled it and that's it- all fixed on the NHS dentist. Maybe I should sue the bike company- or the council for the smooth road he fell on too?!?

[Alexkate2468]

You sure nobody! Your kid had an accident.

[MaisieMaisie]

My child's friend slipped on a playground log and broke an adult tooth. Her mother was livid but had to accept it was an accident. I fell between School and car and lost both front teeth, another accident.

It happens and perhaps understandable that you'd feel better if you could blame someone else and share the suffering but accidents do happen. Kids (And adults) slip with the best care, my kids school prevent them from most energetic play to avoid being sued and that is miserable. But is a result of schools being sued for accidents during normal play.

[overnightangel]

“It’s not a question of negligence, not even up for debate. Who do I sue was the question?”

[Wifeofbikerviking]

You dont need to defend your choice...you've decided to sue (and in my opinion it sounds right to do so)

I'd first contact the school directly and ask if you can negotiate directly with their insurance. If that's not possible then the school will be able to answer your question better than any of us can.

[lilgreen]

I feel for you and your son but he could have fallen anyway. I work in a primary school in England and there are many days where the playground is damp, wet or worse. Children will not stand still. This accident could have happened outside of school, who would you sue then?

[Wildorchidz]

We have decking. It’s fucking lethal when it’s wet. The school have a duty of care to the children. I would take this further.

[Wildorchidz]

@lilgreen
Does your school have decking?

[lilgreen]

We have a small area of decking with a grippy surface. We have a wooden trail with bridges and beams about a foot off the ground. The wood is scored to add grip. Children slip on the perfectly flat playground daily. Staff are present, they point out risky behaviour when they see it but can’t be watching every child, every minute. We have first aid trained staff. Last year a child was kicked during a game of football and the parent wanted to ban football. Life is full of risks. Accidents happen.

[lilgreen]

Play equipment is not inspected daily.

[DontMakeMeShushYou]

Who do you sue?

If you need to ask that question on Mumsnet, you appoint a solicitor and ask them to act on your behalf because you do not have the competence to do it yourself.