Last Updated on 19 May 2025
Claiming compensation for accidents in schools
A distressing event occurred at Millfield School in Somerset in May 2025 when three teenage pupils suffered severe electrical injuries. The boys, all aged between 13 and 14, came into contact with overhead power cables.
Emergency services, including ambulance crews, fire services, and police, quickly attended the scene. The incident resulted in all three students being admitted to hospital with significant burns requiring surgical intervention.
One boy has been particularly badly affected. He has undergone a number of operations and has had most of his toes amputated. Doctors are continuing to assess the extent of the injuries, and further surgical procedures may be necessary.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is working in conjunction with Avon and Somerset Police and an investigation is now underway to determine exactly how the incident occurred.
We have extensive experience in dealing with serious injury claims on behalf of children injured in accidents in schools, colleges, play centres, and nurseries, including cases where children have been harmed due to exposure to unsafe electrical installations. In one such case we recently handled, a seven-year-old boy sustained a powerful electric shock at a children’s indoor play centre in Devon. He had grabbed a hanging metal bar which was live with electricity. As a result, he fell from a significant height and suffered burns and other injuries.
Schools, colleges, nurseries, play centres, and all organisations that provide services aimed at children have a legal duty to take steps to keep them safe and avoid injury occurring. When serious injuries result from a breach of that duty families may be entitled to claim compensation for the ‘pain and suffering’ of the injuries, medical bills and rehabilitation costs, along with support for any care or psychological treatment that may be required.
How we can help with school accidents
If your child has suffered an injury in a school accident as a result of unsafe conditions or inadequate supervision, contact us for a free consultation and details of our No Win, No Fee funding scheme.
