Slip and Trip Claims

A slip, trip or fall can happen anywhere. Wet floors, poor lighting, trailing wires, damaged pavements and other fall hazards can cause injuries that affect your work, health and daily life.

If you were injured in a slip, trip or fall because of someone else’s negligence, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. JMW’s expert solicitors can advise you on whether you can claim compensation and explain the next steps.

Our personal injury team handles slip and trip claims involving employers, local councils, businesses and other parties responsible for public areas and workplaces. We will work closely with you to understand how the accident happened, gather evidence and build a compensation claim that reflects your injury and any support you need.

To speak to our expert team about a slip and fall claim, call 0345 872 6666 or complete our online contact form.

How JMW Can Help With Slip and Trip Claims

JMW helps people make slip and trip claims after accidents caused by unsafe conditions in workplaces, public places, shops, supermarkets and other areas where another party had responsibility for safety.

Our expert personal injury solicitors will listen to what happened and advise whether you can make a compensation claim. We will identify who may be responsible, gather evidence and explain each stage of the claims process in clear terms.

A slip, trip or fall compensation claim can help with the impact of your injury. This may include medical treatment, rehabilitation, loss of earnings and other support linked to the accident. Where urgent help is needed, JMW can also work quickly to put care and support arrangements in place.

Our personal injury team has experience with claims involving wet floors, slippery floors, inadequate lighting, poor housekeeping, trailing wires, damaged pavements and other fall hazards. We will work closely with you to seek compensation that reflects your injury and your needs.

Meet the Team

Our personal injury team at JMW is made up of dedicated and experienced professionals, who are here to offer compassionate support and expert guidance through your slip and trip claim.

Case Study

What Is a Slip, Trip and Fall Claim?

A slip, trip and fall claim is a type of personal injury claim. It can be made when someone is injured because another person, business, employer, local authority or organisation did not take reasonable safety measures.

These claims can happen in many settings. This includes workplaces, public places, shops, supermarkets, restaurants, car parks and shared access areas in rented accommodation. The key issue is whether another party was responsible for the area where the accident occurred.

Common causes of slips, trips and falls include wet floors, slippery floors, poor lighting, inadequate lighting, trailing wires, uneven surfaces and poor housekeeping. If a slip, trip or fall injury happened and was someone else’s fault, you should seek legal advice as soon as possible.

When Can I Make a Slip, Trip or Fall Claim?

You may be able to make a slip, trip or fall claim if your accident happened because another party failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe.

This may apply if:

• The accident occurred in a workplace, public place, shop, supermarket or other area controlled by another party
• There was a hazard such as a wet floor, slippery floor, poor lighting, trailing wires or uneven surface
• The party responsible knew about the hazard, or should reasonably have known about it
• You sustained an injury because of the accident
• You needed medical treatment, time off work or support during your recovery

The party responsible could be an employer, local authority, business, landlord, managing agent or another organisation. JMW’s expert solicitors can review what happened and explain whether you may be able to claim compensation.

Who Is Responsible for a Slip, Trip or Fall Accident?

Responsibility for a slip, trip or fall accident depends on where it happened and who had control of the area.

Employers are responsible for taking reasonable steps to keep workplaces safe. This includes managing workplace slips caused by wet floors, trailing wires, poor housekeeping, slippery floors, unsafe surfaces and inadequate lighting.

Businesses and occupiers may be responsible for accidents in shops, supermarkets, restaurants, hotels, leisure venues and other public areas. Local councils may be responsible for some accidents in public places, including damaged pavements, raised kerbs and other fall hazards.

In rented accommodation, a landlord or managing agent may be responsible for shared areas such as communal entrances, stairwells, corridors and external access routes.

Common Examples of Slip, Trip and Fall Claims

Slip, trip and fall claims can arise from many types of fall hazards. These accidents can happen anywhere, so it is important to seek legal advice if you were injured and believe someone else’s negligence caused the accident.

Common examples include:

• Slipping on a wet floor in a shop, supermarket, restaurant, workplace or public venue
• Slipping on slippery floors that have not been cleaned, treated or signposted properly
• Tripping over trailing wires, loose flooring, raised mats or other obstacles
• Falling because of poor lighting or inadequate lighting in a workplace or public area
• Tripping on damaged pavements, raised kerbs or uneven surfaces
• Falling on stairs where a hazard has not been addressed
• Tripping because of poor housekeeping in a workplace or public setting
• Falling because of a broken, raised or missing manhole cover
• Slipping or tripping in shared areas of rented accommodation, such as communal entrances, corridors, stairwells or external access routes

Common injuries caused by slips, trips and falls include broken bones, head injuries, soft tissue injuries, and back injuries. While a serious injury may result in more compensation, you can claim for many types of injuries in these circumstances. JMW’s expert slip and trip solicitors can advise whether you may be able to claim compensation.

How Much Compensation Can You Claim for a Slip, Trip or Fall?

The amount of compensation you can claim for a slip, trip or fall depends on how the injury has affected you. No two slip and trip claims are the same, so the value of your compensation claim will depend on your injury, recovery and any ongoing impact.

Compensation may take account of:

• The type and severity of your injury
• The medical treatment and rehabilitation you need
• The time it takes you to make a full recovery
• Any time you need to take off work
• Any loss of earnings linked to the accident
• The cost of care, travel or support during your recovery
• The impact on your hobbies, family life and daily routine

A slip and fall compensation claim should include compensation for the pain and impact of the injury. It will also include compensation for losses and expenses caused by the accident if you can provide evidence of these outgoings.

JMW’s expert solicitors will work closely with you to understand the full impact of your injury. We will also use medical evidence and details of your losses to value your claim in more detail.

What affects the value of a slip, trip or fall claim?

The value of a slip, trip or fall claim is affected by the injury itself and the practical impact it has on your life.

A claim involving broken bones, head injuries or other serious injury may be valued differently from a claim involving minor injuries with a shorter recovery. The value can also be affected by whether you need medical treatment, rehabilitation, care, time off work or changes to your daily routine.

For more specific guidance on how much personal injury compensation you might be able to claim, try our Compensation Calculator tool:

What Evidence Do I Need for a Slip or Trip Claim?

Evidence will be needed to show how the accident happened, who may be responsible and how the injury has affected you. It can also help to show the impact on your work, health and daily life.

Useful evidence may include:

• Photographs or videos of where the accident occurred
• Photographs of hazards, such as a wet floor, damaged pavement, trailing wires or poor lighting
• The date, time and location of the accident
• Contact details for anyone who saw the accident happen
• A copy of the accident book entry, if one was made
• Medical records showing the injury and any medical treatment you needed
• Details of time off work and loss of earnings
• Receipts for travel, care, treatment or other costs linked to the accident
• Any emails, letters or messages from the party responsible

Your solicitor can explain what may be useful and outline the next steps. Read more about what evidence can help you make a personal injury claim.

What Is the Slip, Trip and Fall Claims Process?

The process of claiming compensation for slip and fall accidents is designed to establish what happened, who was responsible and how the injury has affected you.

The main stages are:

• Initial advice: a solicitor will listen to how the accident happened and explain whether you may be able to make a claim
• Evidence gathering: this may include photographs, accident book records, witness details, medical records and information about the hazard
• Identifying responsibility: the claim will consider who had control of the area and what safety measures should have been in place
• Medical assessment: medical evidence will be sought to show the injury, the treatment needed and the likely recovery period
• Valuing the claim: the value will be based on the injury and any losses linked to the accident
• Seeking compensation: your solicitor will use the evidence to seek compensation from the party responsible

A slip and trip claim may involve an employer, local authority, business, occupier or another organisation. The exact process will depend on where the accident occurred and how the injury has affected you.

Learn more by reading our step-by-step guide to making a personal injury claim.

How Long Do I Have to Make a Slip, Trip or Fall Claim?

In most personal injury claims in England and Wales, the time limit is three years from the date the accident happened. This means you usually need to start your slip, trip or fall claim within three years of the accident.

Different rules apply if the injured person is under 18 or does not have mental capacity to make a claim themselves. In these cases, a parent, guardian or other suitable person may be able to act on their behalf.

It is best to seek legal advice as soon as possible after the accident occurred. Early advice can help to preserve evidence, identify the party responsible and explain the next steps.

Read more about the time limits for personal injury claims.

Types of Slip, Trip and Fall Claims

Slip and trip claims can arise in many different places. Which party was responsible will depend on where the accident occurred and who had control of the area.

Slip and trip accidents in supermarkets

Slip and trip accidents occur in supermarkets because of various hazards that can lead to a customer or employer hurting themselves. Accidents of this type can include:

• Slipping on a wet floor
• Falling over boxes, equipment left in the aisle or other obstacles
• Slipping on food or packets
• Tripping on damaged flooring

It is the supermarket’s responsibility to keep customers and workers safe by minimising the risk of an accident taking place. If you have been injured in a supermarket accident due to a failure to manage the risk of injury to you, you may be entitled to compensation and should speak to a solicitor as soon as possible.

Slip and trip accidents at work

Employers must take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of slips, trips and falls in the workplace. This includes identifying fall hazards and putting suitable safety measures in place.

Workplace slips and trips may be caused by:

• Wet floors or slippery floors
• Trailing wires or loose cables
• Poor housekeeping
• Poor lighting or inadequate lighting
• Uneven flooring
• Obstructed walkways
• Unsafe stairs or access routes
• Missing or unsuitable warning signs

An accident at work compensation claim may be possible if you were injured because your employer failed to manage a foreseeable risk. This can include an accident in an office, factory, warehouse, shop, construction site, hospitality setting or another workplace.

Evidence may include accident book records, photographs, witness contact details, training records, risk assessments and details of any medical treatment you needed.

Slip and trip accidents in public places

Slip and trip accidents in public places can happen in areas used by members of the public, such as pavements, roads, car parks, shopping centres, leisure venues, restaurants, stations and other public areas.

Public place fall hazards include:

• Damaged pavements
• Raised kerbs
• Uneven surfaces
• Wet floors
• Poor lighting
• Obstructions in walkways
• Defective stairs or handrails

Responsibility may sit with a business, occupier, landlord, managing agent, local authority or local council. Occupiers' liability will be determined based on who controlled or maintained the area where the accident occurred.

A fall compensation claim may be possible if the party responsible failed to take reasonable steps to keep the area safe.

Manhole cover accidents

The most common reason for accidents involving manhole covers is poor working practices from councils and utility companies. Other ways in which you could be injured by a manhole include:

• Rotten or poorly maintained covers
• Improperly placed covers
• Unsuitable cover surfaces
• Raised service covers
• Unmarked or open covers
• Explosions causing manholes to open

Motorists, cyclists, construction workers, and pedestrians could all be victims of an inadequately covered manhole. Where significant holes are left in the road, the proper equipment should be used to ensure it is safe for road users to pass over them. Regardless of how you have been injured by a manhole, if the accident was caused by somebody else’s negligence, you may be entitled to make a claim for compensation.

Local councils and water and electricity companies have a responsibility to install manhole covers appropriately so that passers-by are not injured. Regular inspections of manhole covers must be carried out to check for any imperfections or defects, with any problems found being repaired or faulty covers replaced quickly and efficiently. If a fault cannot be fixed straight away, a warning sign drawing attention to the hazard must be placed nearby and the area cordoned off.

If you experience a slip, trip or fall at work because of a manhole, your employer would likely be responsible for failing to provide a safe working environment. In a successful case, you will be recompensed for the time spent off work and any medical and travel expenses incurred.

Q

Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?

A

You may still be able to make a slip and trip claim if you were partly responsible for the accident. This depends on what happened and how responsibility is assessed.

In some cases, compensation may be reduced to reflect shared responsibility. You should seek legal advice if you are unsure whether you can claim compensation.

Q

How long does a slip, trip or fall claim take?

A

The time it takes to complete a slip, trip or fall claim depends on the injury, the evidence needed and whether the party responsible accepts liability.

A straightforward claim may progress more quickly. Claims involving serious injury, ongoing medical treatment or disputed responsibility may take longer. Your solicitor will explain likely timescales once they understand the details of your case.

Q

Can I make a slip and trip claim on behalf of a child?

A

A parent, guardian or suitable adult may be able to make a slip and trip claim on behalf of a child. This person is known as a litigation friend.

The usual three-year time limit does not start until the child turns 18. This means they usually have until their 21st birthday to start a claim if one has not already been made on their behalf.

Q

Will I need to go to court for a slip and trip claim?

A

Many personal injury claims are resolved without a court hearing. Whether court proceedings are needed will depend on the circumstances of the claim.

Your solicitor will explain your options and prepare the claim carefully if court proceedings are required.