Slip, trip and fall compensation claims

How much is a public injury claim worth?

There is no set amount to how much a public injury claim can be worth. A wrist injury that heals quite quickly may receive a pay-out of £3,000. A major, permanent back injury might be worth up to £90,000. What’s important is understanding the severity of your injuries, and the impact they had on your life.

For this reason, compensation amounts are calculated according to three factors:

• General damages – the injury itself, how bad it was, and how long it took to heal
• Special damages – the financial losses you suffered due to your injury, such as time off work, or damaging your property in a fall
• Long-term effects on your life – the major effects of an injury that have made you alter your lifestyle, such as wheelchair use, adjustments to your home, or changing jobs.

Once we have submitted your claim, we will use these three factors to calculate a figure that reflects the accident’s impact on your life. This will be guided, as all courts are, by the Judicial College Guidelines. These lay out how much compensation can be given for different injuries.

What counts as a public place?

Knowing what counts as a public place can be confusing. According to UK law, it refers to a place where at the time of an accident, “the public have or are permitted to have access, whether on payment or otherwise”. Even if a place is private property (like a supermarket or a cinema), if the public is allowed access to it, then it is covered by the phrase ‘public place’.

This means that ‘public places’ refer to a lot of things:

• Shops, supermarkets, hotels, cafés, museums, theatres, and cinemas
• Public streets, footpaths, and parks
• Public transport stations
• Places of work – your employer is usually responsible for maintaining the space, though some responsibility may fall to the building owner.

Rented accommodation is more complicated, but ultimately responsibility for a building’s safety comes down to the landlord – clear guidance can be found in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. 

As a rule, if you don’t own a place, but are allowed to be there, it counts as a public place. If in doubt, contact us and our personal injury solicitors will be happy to help.

How does the public liability claims process work?

The public liability claims process can be complicated, but at Express Solicitors, we strive to make it as straightforward as possible for you.

Firstly, we will listen to your story. We’re ready to hear the details of your accident, and the impact on your life. We recommend getting in contact as soon as you can. There is a three-year time limit on public liability claims, so it helps to get the ball rolling.

Secondly, we will gather evidence. Photos of the accident scene and your injuries are helpful. Your medical records, CCTV of the accident, or statements from other witnesses are even better. If you can, try to get details, such as photos and witness contact details at the scene. Recording the date, time, and weather conditions can also help.

Thirdly, we contact those responsible for the place your fall took place in. This could be a council, employer, business owner or landlord. Usually, they will be insured. This could be through public liability insurance or employer’s liability insurance. This means that they won’t have to pay out of their own pocket and makes accident claims like yours more straightforward.

Finally, if the insurance company accepts responsibility, we will negotiate a pay-out that reflects the personal and financial losses you suffered. In a small minority of cases, they will not accept responsibility, and your case may go to court. This is quite rare. At Express Solicitors, we work on a no win, no fee basis, so you know that we’re confident your case will be successful.

Why you should choose Express Solicitors for your public slips, trips or falls claims

Lots of people suffer slips, trips and falls every day. A lot of people find them embarrassing, or assume that it was their own fault. At Express Solicitors, we know that often, these people were actually victims of other people’s negligence.

When you contact us, we’ll listen carefully to your story, and our expert team will apply their knowledge of public liability law. We know where responsibility for public places lies. We’ll find and present the evidence that shows this, and shows that you weren’t at fault.

We’ll negotiate a pay-out that reflects your whole experience – not just the injuries you received, but their effects on your life, wellbeing, and productivity. We’ve won millions of pounds in compensation for other people in your position. With a no win, no fee claim, you can rest assured that you won’t pay a penny unless we’re successful.