While many slip, trip and fall accidents are minor, others can lead to more serious injuries such as fractures, head injuries or long-term mobility issues. Importantly, if you’ve been injured by a slip, trip or fall due to somebody else’s negligence, you may be able to make a slip, trip and fall claim for compensation.
Our team has experience handling a wide range of slip, trip and fall claims. If your case has a reasonable chance of success, we may be able to connect you with a personal injury solicitor from our team who could represent you on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you won’t pay solicitors’ fees unless your claim is successful.
You can call us on 0800 6524 881 to discuss what’s happened and check whether you may be able to claim, or continue reading to learn more about how slip, trip, and fall claims generally work.
Table of contents
- Am I Eligible To Make A Slip, Trip & Fall Claim?
- Common Causes Of Slip, Trip & Fall Claims
- Common Injuries From Slips, Trips & Falls
- How Much Compensation Will I Get For A Slip, Trip & Fall Claim?
- Evidence To Support A Slip, Trip & Fall Compensation Claim
- Time Limits For Claiming Slip, Trip & Fall Compensation
- Do I Need A Personal Injury Solicitor For A Slip, Trip, & Fall Claim?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Starting The Slip, Trip & Fall Claims Process
Am I Eligible To Make A Slip, Trip & Fall Claim?
Generally, you may be eligible to make a slip, trip and fall claim if:
- The person or organisation responsible owed you a duty of care;
- That duty was breached through negligence, leading to a slip, trip or fall; and
- You suffered an injury as a result.
For example, you may have a claim if you slipped in a supermarket because a spillage wasn’t cleaned up or signposted, or tripped on a broken manhole or drain cover that had not been repaired in a reasonable time.
Our claims advisors can review what happened and explain your options for free if you’re unsure whether you’re entitled to compensation after a slip, trip or fall.
Can I Claim Compensation If I Was Partly Responsible For My Slip, Trip Or Fall?
You may still be entitled to compensation if you were partly responsible for your slip, trip or fall, but it will depend on the circumstances. This is known as contributory negligence. It means compensation can still be awarded, but the amount may be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.
For example, you might have slipped over on a wet floor in a paper shop where no warning signs were displayed. However, if evidence showed that you were running or not paying reasonable attention at the time, you could be found partly responsible. If you were found to be 20% responsible for the accident, your compensation could be reduced by 20%.
If you’re unsure whether you can claim because you may have been partly at fault, contact us today and we’ll check this with you.
Common Causes Of Slip, Trip & Fall Claims
Slip, trip and fall accidents can happen in many different places, including shops, supermarkets, workplaces, pavements, car parks, restaurants and other premises open to the public. Below are some common situations where a compensation claim may be possible:
- Tripping on uneven or damaged pavements and pathways.
- Slipping on wet floors in shops, especially where no warning signs were used.
- Falling due to poorly maintained stairs or steps.
- Tripping over cables that were left trailing in offices or public places.
- Slipping on ice or snow that wasn’t properly cleared from public pathways or private premises.
- Falling due to inadequate lighting obscuring hazards.
- Tripping over a doormat that was not secured properly.
Who you claim against will depend on where the accident happened and who was responsible for keeping the area reasonably safe. This could include a local council, business, employer, landlord, occupier or another organisation.
Common Injuries From Slips, Trips & Falls
Slip, trip and fall claims can involve a wide range of injuries. Common examples include:
- Sprained or twisted ankles.
- Cuts and bruises.
- Shoulder injury.
- Spinal cord injuries, including paralysis.
- Psychological injury.
- Head injuries, such as a fractured skull.
- Broken or fractured bones.
- Back injuries, such as herniated discs.
- Knee injuries, including torn ligaments.
- Soft tissue injuries.
Even if your injury isn’t listed here, it’s worth discussing your case with a solicitor, as any injury caused by a slip, trip, and fall may be eligible for compensation.
How Much Compensation Will I Get For A Slip, Trip & Fall Claim?
When claiming compensation for a slip, trip, and fall, the amount you receive will typically be split into general and special damages:
- General damages. This covers the pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by your injury. It’s based on the severity of the injury and its impact on your day-to-day life.
- Special damages. This includes any financial losses related to the accident. For example, you could claim for lost earnings, medical expenses, travel costs, and even the cost of care or support if required.
Your solicitor will arrange for an independent medical assessment to determine the full extent of your slip, trip and fall injuries. This report will help calculate the appropriate amount of compensation.
Average Slip, Trip & Fall Compensation Amounts
The amount of compensation awarded for a slip, trip, and fall injury can vary greatly, depending on the severity of the injury and its impact on your life. Below are some examples of average compensation amounts for general damages based on guidelines from the Judicial College:
| Injury | Severity | Average Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Achilles Tendon | Mild | £8,870 - £15,370 |
| Back Injury | Mild | Up to £15,260 |
| Elbow Injury | Mild | Up to - £15,370 |
| Eye Injury | Mild | £4,820 - £10,660 |
| Finger Injury | Minor | Up to £5,800 |
| Foot Injury | Mild | Up to £16,770 |
| Hand Injury | Minor | Up to £5,800 |
| Head Injury | Mild | £2,690 - £15,580 |
| Nose Injury | Minor | £2,080 - £3,080 |
| Wrist Injury | Minor | £4,310 - £5,790 |
You can also find other injuries that you may have suffered and associated compensation levels in our compensation calculator below.
Importantly, these figures are general guidelines. Therefore, your actual compensation will be influenced by the specifics of your case, including the results of your medical assessment and any financial losses you’ve incurred.
If your claim is processed by one of our accident claims solicitors, they’ll be able to provide a more accurate compensation estimate after your medical report is received.
Evidence To Support A Slip, Trip & Fall Compensation Claim
When making a slip, trip, and fall claim, gathering the right evidence is vital to proving who was at fault and the extent of your injuries. The more solid the evidence, the stronger your claim. Here’s some examples:
- Photos of the hazard and location of your accident.
- Medical records confirming your injuries and treatment.
- CCTV or video footage of your slip and trip, if available.
- Witness contact details or statements.
- Accident report records from a workplace or public premises.
- Proof of financial losses, such as travel costs, treatment expenses or lost earnings.
- Correspondence with the responsible party, such as emails or complaints about the hazard.
To get a free review of the evidence you’ve collected and to discuss your options, please call our accident claims advisors today.
Time Limits For Claiming Slip, Trip & Fall Compensation
When making a slip, trip, and fall compensation claim, there is usually a time limit to keep in mind. In most cases, you have three years from the date of your accident to start a claim. This is called the limitation period, and if you don’t file within this time, your claim may be invalid.
However, sometimes the ‘date of knowledge‘ or other exceptions can apply, for example:
- Claims involving children. If the person injured is under 18, a parent or guardian can usually make a slip, trip and fall claim on their behalf at any point before the child’s 18th birthday. After they turn 18, they have three years to file the claim themselves, up until their 21st birthday.
- Claims involving mental capacity. If the person injured lacks the mental capacity to make a slip, trip and fall claim (either at the time of the accident or due to long-term issues), the three-year time limit may not apply until they regain capacity or a litigation friend can act on their behalf.
We’d suggest it’s best to begin your claim as soon as you have the chance to do so. That’s because several tasks must be completed before your claim is sent to the defendant. If you leave it too late, your solicitor might not have time to complete those tasks, which means they wouldn’t be able to take your case on.
Do I Need A Personal Injury Solicitor For A Slip, Trip, & Fall Claim?
While it’s possible to file a slip, trip, and fall claim on your own, having a personal injury solicitor can significantly improve your chances of success. No matter how simple you think your case is, to win compensation, it is likely that you’ll need to convince the defendant’s insurers as to why their client was liable for your injuries. This is not always an easy process. If you get it wrong, you might find that the insurer refuses to compensate you.
We believe that our No Win No Fee accident solicitors can improve your chances of being compensated if they take on your slip, trip and fall claim. They have the legal skills and experience to deliver a clear and concise claim to try and win your case.
To prevent you from having to deal with complex legal questioning, your solicitor will take responsibility for all communication with the defendant. They’ll also try to counter any objections raised so that an amicable agreement can be achieved. If a compensation offer is filed by the defendant, it will be reviewed with you to check that it is fair and covers all of your suffering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we’ve answered some common questions about slip, trip and fall claims.
Who could I claim against after a slip, trip or fall?
This will depend on where the accident happened and who was responsible for keeping the area safe. A claim might be made against a business, employer, local council, landlord, occupier or another organisation responsible for the premises or public area.
Can I claim if there were no warning signs?
Potentially, yes. A lack of warning signs can indicate somebody was negligent, particularly if a hazard such as a wet floor was not properly dealt with in a reasonable time.
What happens if the property owner denies responsibility?
Your claim could still proceed even if the property owner or occupier denies responsibility for your slip, trip and fall. Evidence such as photos, CCTV recordings, witness statements and accident reports will be used to determine who was responsible.
What is the time limit for making a slip, trip & fall claim?
You usually have three years from the date of the slip, trip, and fall to start a claim. This time limit can be different if the injured person is a child or lacks the mental capacity to manage their own claim.
How long does a slip, trip & fall claim take?
It varies. Straightforward slip and fall claims might only take a few months, while more serious cases can take longer, depending on things like the evidence available and whether liability is disputed.
Starting The Slip, Trip & Fall Claims Process
If you’ve been injured in a slip, trip, and fall, you don’t have to wait to see if you’re entitled to compensation. Our team is available now to help guide you through the process. You can give us a call on 0800 6524 881 for a free, no-obligation chat about your claim.
We understand that this might be a difficult time, and we’ll do everything we can to make the claims process as straightforward as possible. Where appropriate, one of our experienced solicitors will get your claim started on a No Win No Fee basis without delay, giving you peace of mind while you focus on your recovery.