This is our guide about how you can make a slip, trip or fall claim. You may have suffered from a slip or fall injury at work or in public. In either case, you may be eligible for compensation provided you were harmed by third-party negligence.
We’ll share some examples of how these accidents could occur and the steps that could be taken to prevent them. This guide will also provide you with more information on the evidence needed to make a slip trip or fall claim and how a No Win No Fee solicitor can help you in the process of doing so.
Please contact our advisors now if you would like more information on making a claim for injuries sustained in a slip or fall. They are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. There is also no need to proceed with a claim after your initial consultation.
You can:
- Use our online contact form
- Speak with someone at the live chat on this screen
Choose A Section
- What Is A Slip Trip Or Fall?
- Compensation Payouts In A Slip Trip Or Fall Claim
- How Do Slips, Trips And Falls Happen?
- Evidence Needed To Prove A Slip Trip Or Fall Claim
- How Can A No Win No Fee Solicitor Help Me?
- Slip Trip Or Fall Claim – Learn More
What Is A Slip Trip Or Fall?
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), slip, trip and fall accidents are among the most frequent that occur in the workplace. All sorts of different factors can cause these particular accidents.
For example, if your employer had not cleaned up some spilt liquid, this could cause you to slip and injure your back. If their negligence caused this accident to happen, you may be entitled to make an accident at work claim.
Slips and falls can also happen in public places. For example, you could be in a gym and trip over a loose floor tile. This could result in you injuring your wrists upon impact with the floor. If this is the case, you may be able to make a public liability claim.
In both scenarios, you must prove that someone breached their duty of care to you to make a claim. After this guide, you should better understand how to prove someone’s negligence in order to make a slip trip or fall claim.
Slip Trip Or Fall Statistics
Employers are expected to report certain accidents and injuries under the Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations 2013 (RIDDOR.) The reports are then made to the HSE and are compiled to provide workplace statistics.
According to these statistics, 33% of non-fatal work injuries were slips, trips or falls in the year 2020/21. A further 8% were caused by falls from a height.
To find out if you are eligible to make a slip, trip or fall claim for an injury that was caused by negligence, speak with one of our advisors today.
Compensation Payouts In A Slip Trip Or Fall Claim
Below we have listed some examples of compensation payouts in general damages that you could be eligible for depending on the severity of your injuries. These figures align with the latest edition of the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) (the latest edition was published in April 2022.) Legal professionals often use the JCG to help value claims.
Settlements can be made up of general and special damages. General damages seek to compensate for the physical harm, mental suffering and impact on your quality of life due to your injuries.
The following figures should only be used as a guideline. The amount you actually receive will depend on the individual features of your case.
| Injury | Severity/Notes | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Knee Injuries | Severe (i) - This may result in joint disruption with potential lengthy treatment. It can result in considerable pain and loss of function in the knee. | £69,730 - £96,210 |
| Knee Injuries | Moderate (i) - Dislocation or torn cartilage in the knee. This may result in minor instability and weakness. | £14,840 - £26,190 |
| Ankle Injuries | Severe - May need an extensive period of treatment or potentially time in plaster or with pins inserted to the leg. This could have an impact on employment and may result in regular sleep disturbance. | £31,310 - £50,060 |
| Ankle Injuries | Modest - Minor fractures and sprains to the ankle. It could also lead to aching and discomfort. The amount awarded will partly be dependent on the recovery rate. | £5,500 - £13,740 |
| Hand Injuries | Severe fractures to fingers (f) - This could lead to partial amputations and may affect grip and mechanical functions. | Up to £36,740 |
| Hand Injuries | Moderate Hand Injury (h) - The hand may have become crushed or have deep lacerations. The amount awarded is dependent on the symptoms. | £5,720 - £13,280 |
| Wrist Injuries | Less severe (c ) - May result in some permanent disability, and the person could be left with a degree of persisting pain and stiffness. | £12,590 - £24,500 |
| Wrist Injuries | Minor (f) - Minimally displaced fractured or soft tissue injuries. A full recovery is expected within around 12 months. | £3,530 - £4,740 |
| Shoulder Injuries | Serious - Dislocation of the shoulder, causing pain in the shoulder, neck and elbow. It may lead to other symptoms such as grip weakness or a fractured humerus. | £12,770 to £19,200 |
| Shoulder Injuries | Moderate - Frozen shoulder with limitation of movement. Symptoms may persist for around two years. | £7,890 - £12,770 |
Depending on the impact of your injury, you may also be awarded special damages. Special damages take into account any financial losses caused by your injuries.
For example, if you had to take taxis to the hospital for medical appointments, you could claim this back. Keep hold of these taxi receipts, as evidence is important in getting the full value of general damages that you’re entitled to.
How Do Slips, Trips And Falls Happen?
Slips, trips and falls can happen in a number of different circumstances and for a number of different reasons. For example, you may experience this type of injury in the workplace.
The Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) is a piece of legislation that states that every employer should do all they reasonably can to keep you safe at work. This responsibility is known as a duty of care.
Alternatively, your accident may have happened in a public place. The Occupier’s Liability Act 1957 (OLA) states that it is the responsibility of the party in control of the public space to ensure that it’s safe for members of the public to use for the intended purpose. Contrary to the name of the legislation, the “occupier” does not actually have to occupy the space.
It is important to remember that in both instances, to make a slip, trip or fall claim, you must be able to prove that someone breached their duty of care to you, resulting in you getting harmed.
For more information on what you could use to support a trip or fall claim, please read on. You can also get in touch with an advisor today for free legal advice.
Evidence Needed To Prove A Slip Trip Or Fall Claim
If you have suffered from a slip, trip or fall injury, there are steps you can take that may help you if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim. You can find these below:
- Get medical help – It’s best that you seek out medical attention for your injuries. You could either visit A&E or make an appointment with your GP, depending on the severity of your injury. You can get a copy of your medical records to help you with your claim.
- Complete an accident report book – If your slip, trip or fall accident happened at work, you could fill out an accident report book if one is available. Be sure to fill it in correctly.
- Gather as much evidence as possible – CCTV, photos, and any eyewitness’ contact details can help you if you decide to pursue a claim.
- Get some legal advice – our panel of lawyers have experience in dealing with public liability and accident at work claims. If you have any questions regarding how to make a slip trip or fall claim, contact our advisors today.
It is important to mention that, for your claim to succeed, it’s crucial that you can prove a third party breached their duty of care to you. If you can prove this, you may have grounds for a claim.
How Can A No Win No Fee Solicitor Help Me?
If you are considering pursuing a slip, trip or fall claim, and would like to do so with legal representation, a No Win No Fee agreement might benefit you. Otherwise known as a Conditional Fee Agreement, it’s a framework that can help you fund the work of a lawyer. The benefits are as follows:
- When starting a claim, there are no solicitors fees.
- During the process of your claim, there are no fees owed.
- If your case doesn’t succeed, you will not be obligated to pay for your solicitor’s services.
- If you’re awarded compensation, your solicitor will take a small success fee from your compensation. (The amount that they can take is capped by law.)
If you feel that this kind of agreement could benefit you, then why not get in touch today? You could be connected with a lawyer who offers their services on this basis.
Make Your Slip Trip Or Fall Claim Today
You may consider making a slip, trip or fall claim if you were injured because of negligence. Contact our advisors for more information on these kinds of claims. They offer their services 24 hours, 7 days a week and can help you with any queries.
To get in touch, you can:
- Use our online contact form
- Speak with someone at the live chat on this screen
Slip Trip Or Fall Claim – Learn More
Thank you for reading our guide on making a slip, trip and fall claim. Below, please find some additional links that may be beneficial to you.
We have a guide on suing your doctor for negligence
Please read our guide on making a road traffic accident claim.
The National Health Service’s (NHS) guide on first aid.
The UK government’s guide on statutory sick pay (SSP.)
Please read the government’s guide on requesting CCTV footage of yourself.
Writer Megan Riggs
Publisher Fern Sykes