Being prepared is always better than scrambling. Once an injury occurs, the amount of preparation you have in place will largely determine the outcome of the situation. Take time to understand your insurance cover, claims processes, and risk assessments in advance.
Useful links depending on your cover:
Immediate Response
If an injury occurs in class, your first concern must be the safety and wellbeing of your student(s). Provide appropriate first aid care and, if in doubt, advise them to seek professional medical attention. This could include attending A&E, calling 111, visiting a GP, or calling an ambulance, depending on the nature and severity of the injury.
Recording the Incident
Document the incident as soon as possible, as details can quickly become unclear afterward.
You can use our free Incident Log Book digital tool directly from the MyBMABA Club Manager, or use a paper form. Templates are available in the Policy Creator, or you may use your own log book.
Include factual details such as:
What happened and how
Who was involved
What first aid or advice was given
Witness statements where applicable
Reporting to BMABA
Report the incident to BMABA as soon as reasonably possible - ideally within 72 hours - even if there is no intention to make a claim. This counts as a notifiable event, which simply means we record it for insurance and compliance purposes.
If no further action arises, the record will be closed automatically. Notifiable events do not count against you or your club. The only time additional review may be needed is if repeated similar incidents suggest a wider health and safety concern. Otherwise, occasional injuries are entirely normal and understood. There is no judgement, and we do not investigate occasionally notification only events unless there is something inherently unusual about the occurrence.
Understanding Public Liability vs Personal Accident
It is important to understand the distinction between the different types of cover and claims processes:
Public Liability Insurance protects the instructor or club if a student or third party claims negligence. It does not provide compensation directly to the injured student. If a student wishes to claim, they would usually do so through a solicitor, and the insurer (e.g., AXA) will handle your defence.
Student Public Liability Cover provides an added layer of protection where a student’s claim might arise, although most claims in practice are against the instructor or club.
Personal Accident Insurance allows a student to claim directly for certain injuries without needing to prove fault, hold the club liable, or involve a solicitor.
If you have this cover in place, see our Personal Accident Cover Overview for full details.
Record Keeping and Follow-Up
Keep all related documentation for at least three years, ideally seven. This includes:
Incident reports
Witness statements
Risk assessments
Correspondence with the student
Using the MyBMABA Club Manager is an excellent way to store and manage this securely.
Important: Never Admit Liability
Do not admit fault or liability at any point. You may show empathy, reassure the student, and even offer goodwill gestures (such as covering minor out-of-pocket expenses), but it must always be clear that this is not an admission of fault. This ensures your insurer can properly defend any potential claim under your Public Liability or Professional Indemnity cover.
If a Claim Is Threatened or Received
If a student notifies you of an intention to pursue a claim or you receive contact from a solicitor, do not panic. Acknowledge receipt calmly but do not engage further. Forward all correspondence directly to BMABA.
We understand this can feel personal and distressing, but insurance exists to protect both you and your students. BMABA will support you and liaise with insurers to ensure the process is handled professionally and correctly.
If in doubt, please jump onto web chat or email [email protected] for support.