Slips, Trips and Falls

Claims for public tumbles

Slips, trips and falls are very common in public places and can happen almost anywhere. If you have suffered an injury as a result of a slippery surface or defect on a floor surface, for example, it is very likely that you will be entitled to compensation. Therefore it is important to know the steps required to strengthen a claim and try and carry out as many as you can to ensure you will be compensated for your loss.

After a slip, trip or fall, you should immediately try and contact somebody nearby or even an ambulance if the injuries are severe. You should also take note of exactly where the accident happened. If you can, you should take photos of the area where you had the accident or ask somebody else to. This is for evidence, so it is good practice to take photos from different angles, showing surface defects or spillages with no warning signs, for example. We understand taking photos at the time may be inconvenient but any photos near the time of the accident will strengthen your claim. You should then try and take down contact names of any witnesses.

After the initial accident you should then be getting your injuries treated by your GP or at hospital. Every single symptom you should report, however minor it may seem. You should then notify the council of what caused the accident, which may be a pavement or road, for example. During your recovery period you should also try and record every symptom which may affect you physically or psychologically and try to keep any receipts proving any expenditure towards treating your injuries. The amount of compensation will be dependent on factors such as this.

An important part of making a claim is establishing who is liable for the maintenance of the area in which you had your accident, since your claim will made against them. If you suffered an accident on a public highway, for example, you will need to look into claiming against the council, whereas an injury in a shop will mean action against the business owner.

We appreciate remembering and carrying out these procedures may be difficult but the more effort you make, the stronger your claim will be and the more compensation you will receive.

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