Compensation Claims for Accidents During School Excursions

Summary - School excursions must be carefully planned to avoid the risk of litigation arising out of an accident.

A combination of heightened excitement and less formal activities often leads to the unfortunate consequence of significant injury during the course of a school excursion.

It must be remembered that, if an accident occurs during an approved school excursion, then the school may be held liable if it was negligent because the teacher-pupil relationship is still in existence. This is the case even though the excursion might be on a weekend or during school holidays.

Although the consent of parents is invariably obtained before an excursion, such consent will not entitle the school to take a pupil on a trip fraught with danger.