Imagine the heartbreak of a child being hurt by a faulty product. In the UK, child personal injury claims are often brought when children suffer serious injuries from everyday products, such as an ordinary toy, a household appliance, or food that should be safe. Every year, thousands of children in the UK suffer injuries caused by defective or dangerous products, contributing to over 72,000 hospital admissions from accidental injuries in children aged 0-14 annually.
Over one million children under the age of 15 experience accidents in and around the home each year in the UK, resulting in emergency visits to their local Accident & Emergency departments. These injuries, from falls, poisoning, burns, and other hazards, underscore just how often everyday household products and settings can pose unexpected dangers for children.
Road accidents alone harmed more than 3,350 children aged 7 or under in 2023, equivalent to nine being killed or injured every day. For many UK parents, the question is urgent and deeply personal: Can you sue if a product hurts your child? If this situation feels overwhelming, Claim Time Solicitors bring clarity, legal expertise, and support to families navigating child injury claims.
What’s in this Blog
- What are child personal injury claims?
- When can you sue for product-related injuries?
- How contributory negligence could affect your claim.
- Client’s story.
- What to do after your child is injured by a product.
- How Claim Time Solicitors can help & Compensation breakdown.
- FAQs
What are child personal injury claims?
Child personal injury claims occur when a child suffers harm due to someone else’s negligence or a defective product. When the injury stems from a faulty toy, defective appliance, or contaminated food, parents or legal guardians can seek compensation to cover medical costs, pain, and suffering.
Key legal terms to understand:
- Contributory Negligence: This means the injured party might share some blame for their injury. For example, if a child was partially responsible (perhaps playing recklessly), compensation might be reduced but not eliminated. Think of it like splitting the blame in a traffic accident; even if you were a bit at fault, you can still claim damages.
- Employer Duty of Care: Applies if injuries happen at a school where adults have a legal responsibility to keep children safe.
Unlike some injuries where the fault lies purely with another party, UK law recognises shared responsibility, so claiming compensation is possible even if there’s partial fault.
When can you sue for product-related injuries?
Injury claims for children related to defective products usually fall into these categories:
- Toys & Baby Products: Choking hazards or toxic materials causing harm
- Household Appliances: Burns or electrical injuries from faulty devices
- Food & Drinks: Allergic reactions caused by mislabeled allergens or contamination
Manufacturers, distributors, or retailers can be held liable when their products cause injury due to defects or negligence, including,
Including:
- Faulty design or manufacture
- Inadequate safety warnings or instructions
- Failure to recall dangerous products
How contributory negligence could affect your claim
If it’s found that your child was partly responsible for the injury (e.g., ignoring safety warnings), this is known as contributory negligence. UK courts usually reduce compensation proportionally but don’t deny the claim outright unless the child was solely to blame. This means:
- Your claim isn’t automatically rejected if partial fault exists
- You could still recover substantial compensation based on the degree of responsibility
Client’s story
A toddler suffered poisoning after eating a popular snack with undeclared nut allergens. The parents contacted Claim Time Solicitors, who investigated the product and confirmed a failure to label allergens properly, establishing manufacturer liability. Despite minor contributory negligence (the child grabbed adult food unattended), the claim proceeded successfully. Compensation covered medical treatment, therapy, and related expenses, easing the family’s financial and emotional strain.
What to do after your child is injured by a product
- Seek medical attention immediately
- Preserve the product and packaging
- Report the injury to relevant authorities (e.g., Trading Standards, FSA)
- Document everything, photos, medical reports, and witness accounts
- Contact experts like Claim Time Solicitors for a no-win no-fee consultation
Taking these steps quickly strengthens your claim and protects your child’s rights.
How Claim Time Solicitors can help
Claim Time Solicitors bring UK-wide expertise in child personal injury claims, specialising in product defect cases. Our no-win no-fee policy means you can pursue justice without financial risk.
We:
- Offer a personal, compassionate approach
- Handle all investigations and legal paperwork
- Negotiate maximum compensation, including partial fault cases
- Provide clear guidance from start to finish
Compensation breakdown
- Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
- Pain, suffering, and loss of amenity (quality of life impact)
- Future care and special needs expenses
- Travel and related costs linked to injury management
Even if contributory negligence applies, partial compensation remains available.
If your child has been injured by a faulty product, you are not alone. Claim Time Solicitors are here to support you with trusted expertise and a no-win no-fee promise. Contact us today for a free consultation and let us fight to secure the compensation your family deserves.
FAQs
Will I still get compensation if my child was partly to blame?
Yes. UK law allows for reduced awards based on contributory negligence, but claims are not dismissed outright.
Will I have to go to court?
Most claims settle out of court, but Claim Time Solicitors will prepare you fully if court is necessary.
Can I use no-win, no-fee?
Absolutely. We offer no-win no-fee agreements to ensure access to justice without upfront costs.
Could my child’s school or employer be liable?
If duty of care was breached by a school or workplace, they can be held responsible.