Claiming compensation for slips, trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls can happen anywhere, and may occasionally result in an injury. But how do you know if you are eligible to make a compensation claim? We outline the circumstances in which Sheldon Davidson Solicitors can help.

Who is at fault?

The key factor in any personal injury case is who was to blame for the accident, and this holds true for slips, trips and falls.

For example, if you tripped over a loose paving slab or poorly maintained walkway, there may be grounds to make a claim. It may be that the local council has neglected their responsibility to repair it, and that this caused the pavement to become unsafe.

Similarly, if you slip on a wet floor in a retail outlet such as a supermarket and there were no warning signs in position, the fault does not lie with you. This is also true if you trip over a pothole or defect in areas which the business has a responsibility to look after, such as the car park. In these instances, blame is usually apportioned to the premises in question for failing to follow safety procedures.

Some injuries at work can be legally found to be the fault of your employer, for example if you are injured using defective equipment, working in an unsafe environment or using machinery you were not properly trained to operate. They may also not have had the insurance in place to deal with the aftermath of your accident, and they are required to do so by law.

Of course, if there were warning signs and you failed to heed them, it is less likely that any claim you make would be successful, while if you fell over while intoxicated this will also negatively impact on your claim. You will also only receive compensation if you were actually injured, the fall alone is not enough.

What you should do

Slips, trips and falls claims are subject to the same time constraints as any other personal injury claim, so if you wish to proceed you must do so within three years of the accident taking place.

Any evidence you can provide will be key, so if you do trip over a bump in the pavement, photograph it is soon as possible and take measurements of any defects that contributed to your injury.

Our personal injury solicitors can use this evidence to help you achieve compensation, as we represent you throughout your case. Sheldon Davidson Solicitors are vastly experienced in these matters, and can offer free initial advice with no obligation for those unsure about claiming.