If you’ve been injured after tripping on a pavement, you may be able to make a pavement accident claim for compensation. A successful claim could help cover medical costs, lost earnings, and the 
wider impact the injury has had on your life.
Some people may put off claiming because they’re unsure whether they qualify, worry about legal fees, or assume it will be complicated and stressful. In reality, we handle all pavement accident claims on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning you won’t pay legal fees upfront, which can make the process feel far more manageable.
This guide explains how the pavement accident claims process typically works, what evidence can strengthen your case, and how compensation is calculated.
Table of contents
- Am I Eligible To Make A Pavement Accident Claim?
- Common Causes Of Pavement Accident Claims
- Common Injuries From Tripping On Pavement
- How Much Compensation Will I Get For Tripping On A Pavement?
- Evidence To Support A Pavement Accident Claim
- Pavement Accident Claim Time Limits
- Do I Need A Solicitor To Make A Pavement Accident Claim?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Starting The Pavement Accident Claims Process
Am I Eligible To Make A Pavement Accident Claim?
Under the Highways Act 1980, local authorities have to make sure pavements and footpaths are reasonably safe for public use. This includes carrying out inspections and repairing defects such as raised slabs, potholes or other hazards within a reasonable time.
Therefore, you may be eligible to make a pavement accident claim if:
- The pavement had a defect that was considered hazardous.
- You sustained an injury due to the pavement defect.
- The defendant failed in their duty to keep the pavement reasonably safe.
Many councils treat defects of around 1 inch (25mm) or more as potentially hazardous, though other factors can also be taken into account.
If you’d like an advisor to check your eligibility to start a claim, please get in touch with us today.
Common Causes Of Pavement Accident Claims
Some common causes of pavement accident claims where you could be compensated for your injuries include:
- Tree roots that have broken through the pavement’s surface.
- Raised, loose or uneven paving slabs.
- Potholes and sinkholes in pathways.
- Damaged street furniture (signs, posts, manhole/drain covers etc,).
- Missing or damaged kerbstones.
If you have tripped on the pavement causing an injury, and would like free advice on whether you have a valid claim or not, please feel free to get in touch
Common Injuries From Tripping On Pavement
Some common injuries caused by trips and falls due to pavement defects include:
If the type of injury you’ve had isn’t shown, don’t worry. You can still call or use our live chat to discuss whether you could claim compensation for whatever injuries you’ve suffered.
How Much Compensation Will I Get For Tripping On A Pavement?
The amount of compensation for tripping on a pavement can vary depending on the details of your case. For example:
- A minor fractured wrist might lead to compensation in the region of £4,310 – £5,790.
- Moderate ankle injuries, which lead to difficulty when walking, could see compensation of £16,770 – £32,450.
- A less severe brain injury could be valued at £18,700 – £52,550, depending on the severity of the initial injury and any ongoing effects.
When valuing the injury itself (known as general damages), solicitors will usually refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).
Separately, compensation can also include special damages for financial losses linked to your pavement accident, such as lost earnings, medical expenses, care costs, or travel costs.
The best way to check how much compensation for a pavement accident you could receive is to contact our claims advisors to conduct a free initial consultation.
Pavement Accident Compensation Calculator
As mentioned above, compensation amounts will vary from case to case depending on the circumstances. However, in our pavement accident compensation calculator below, we’ve provided a range of example injuries with guideline brackets to help demonstrate what your injury could be worth.
Please use this calculator for information purposes only. There is no guarantee that, should your pavement accident claim be successful, you will be awarded the exact settlement amounts that we have listed.
Evidence To Support A Pavement Accident Claim
To make a successful pavement accident claim, you’ll typically need evidence that shows what happened, who was responsible, and what harm you suffered as a result. Without strong evidence, your claim could be rejected altogether. To help prove liability, we’d suggest providing:
- Photographs/videos. Photographs or video that show the exact location of the accident, highlighting any uneven pavement/pathway trip hazard, potholes or other defects that contributed to the accident. Include photographs showing a tape measure or ruler to demonstrate the height, depth and width of the trip hazard.
- Witness statements. Request contact details from any witnesses who saw the pavement accident happen. Their statements can support your account of what happened and provide additional details about the footpath conditions.
- Medical records. Visit A&E or your GP to have your injuries assessed. Your medical records detailing your injuries and the treatment you received could be used as supporting evidence later on.
- Accident report. If you reported the pavement accident to the local council or another authority, a copy of this report can serve as official recognition of the incident.
- CCTV footage. If your trip and fall on the pavement were caught on CCTV, you have the right to request a copy of the footage.
- A diary. A personal account of the accident and the aftermath, including details of pain and suffering, any negative impact on your work and social life, and any ongoing symptoms or treatments.
- Correspondence. Any letters or emails to or from the council or property owner responsible for the pavement maintenance might demonstrate prior complaints about the area or responses to your accident.
- Financial evidence. Collect receipts, invoices, and statements for expenses incurred due to the accident, including any prescription and treatment costs, travel costs to doctor appointments, and any lost wages due to time off work.
One of our claims advisors will happily review any evidence you’re able to provide during a no-obligation consultation, so please call us today to see if you have enough evidence to proceed with a claim.
Pavement Accident Claim Time Limits
Personal injury claims are usually subject to certain time limits. For most pavement accidents, you will have three years to start your claim, usually starting from the date the accident occurred.
However, different rules apply to children. If a child was injured from tripping on pavement, a parent or guardian (known as a litigation friend) can bring a claim on their behalf at any time before they turn 18. If no claim is made during childhood, the three-year time limit will usually begin on their 18th birthday.
Similarly, if an injured person lacks the mental capacity to manage a claim, the limitation period is paused. A litigation friend can act on their behalf, but if they don’t and their capacity is later regained, the three-year time limit will usually begin from that date.
How Long Do Pavement Accident Claims Take To Settle?
In reality, no two claims are the same. As such, some pavement accident claims can be resolved amicably in a matter of months, whilst others might take over a year to be settled. It really depends on the complexity of the case, what evidence is available, and the willingness to admit liability for a pavement fall.
If you’d like to find out how long a claim might take, please get in touch with our team.
Do I Need A Solicitor To Make A Pavement Accident Claim?
You don’t legally need to use a solicitor to file a pavement accident claim. However, having an experienced personal injury solicitor on your side could make a big difference to the success of your case and the amount of compensation you receive.
A solicitor will know how to gather the right evidence, deal with the defendant or their insurers, and present your claim in the strongest way possible.
If your claim is accepted by a No Win No Fee solicitor on our team, you’ll have no worries about paying legal fees upfront, and you’ll only pay if your claim is successful.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered some common questions on pavement accident compensation claims.
Am I eligible to make a pavement accident claim?
You may be eligible if a hazardous pavement defect caused your injury and the council or responsible authority failed in their duty to keep the pavement reasonably safe. Claims usually depend on proving the defect existed and that negligence contributed to your accident.
What is considered a hazardous pavement defect?
Many councils treat defects of around 1 inch (25mm) or more as potentially dangerous, although other factors such as location and surrounding conditions are also considered.
Can I still claim if I was partly to blame for tripping?
Yes. You may still be able to claim even if you were partly responsible for tripping on the pavement. However, your compensation could be reduced to reflect your share of the blame. Each case is assessed on its own facts.
How much compensation could I receive for a pavement accident?
Compensation varies depending on the severity of your injuries and how they affect your life. Awards can include general damages for pain and suffering and special damages for financial losses such as lost earnings and medical expenses.
What evidence do I need to support a pavement accident claim?
Strong evidence may include photographs of the defect, measurements of the hazard, medical records, witness statements, CCTV footage, accident reports, and proof of financial losses.
How long do I have to make a pavement accident claim?
In most cases, you have three years from the date of the pavement accident to start a claim. Different rules apply for children and people who lack mental capacity.
How long will my pavement accident claim take?
Every claim is different. Some pavement accident claims can be resolved within a few months, while more complex cases may take a year or longer. The timescale often depends on the strength of your evidence and whether the council accepts responsibility.
What happens if the council denies responsibility?
If the council denies responsibility, your claim doesn’t automatically end. Liability can be challenged using evidence such as inspection records, maintenance logs, photographs of the defect, and witness statements. A solicitor can review the council’s response and advise whether the claim can still proceed.
Do I need a solicitor to make a pavement accident claim?
You don’t have to use a solicitor, but many people choose to do so for support with gathering evidence, valuing the claim, and dealing with the council or their insurers.
What does No Win No Fee mean?
No Win No Fee means you won’t pay legal fees upfront. If your pavement claim is unsuccessful, you won’t pay our solicitor’s fees. If successful, a pre-agreed percentage is deducted from your compensation.
Starting The Pavement Accident Claims Process
We are here to help if you’d like to know if one of our solicitors could represent you. So, please call us on 0800 6524 881 to find out more.
Our team of specialist solicitors have years of experience in pavement accident claims. If your claim is suitable, they will start the claims process right away so that no time is wasted.