Accidents to Pupils/Employees

What procedures should be followed in the event of an accident to a pupil?

In the event of an accident or injury to a pupil, a teacher should take such action as would be exercised by a careful and solicitous parent placed in similar circumstances. In this regard teachers should be familiar with the school's policies and procedures for dealing with and reporting accidents.

In particular, all accidents or injuries to pupils should be recorded in a school Incident Book. Accidents should be reported in a common sense and factual manner with particular reference to the supervision being exercised at the relevant time.

Members should not accept responsibility for any accident. Any letter, writ, summons, claim or other document in connection with the incident should be referred, unacknowledged, to the chairperson of the board of management and a copy forwarded to INTO Head Office.

Any enquiries by a teacher regarding the welfare of a pupil are not an indication of, or an acceptance of responsibility.

Claims will be handled by a school's insurers and the insurance company's legal advisers will advise the board of management and the teachers concerned regarding any problem or query associated with a claim. As teachers are indemnified under the board of management's policy they are advised to co-operate with the insurance company in defending any claim.

In case of doubt, Head Office or the CEC Representative should be contacted for precise instructions.