If your research involves human participants and/or identifiable participant data – and is not health and/or social-care research. The following guidance applies:
The Public Liability policy covers liability arising from the design or oversight of the study and the actions of anyone acting under the direction of the research team. However, it does not cover any harm arising from individual negligence. Essentially, if someone working for a third-party conducts a trial procedure in accordance with the relevant protocol or work-instruction, and someone comes to harm, the University's insurance will apply. However, if they did not conduct the procedure in accordance with the relevant protocol or work-instruction then the University's policy will not apply – they will be reliant upon their employer's policy or their own professional/clinical negligence cover.
The policy does not cover non-fault / non-negligent harm as standard. If this is required by a funder or partner, contact research-governance@bristol.ac.uk to discuss.
