Injury Claims for Slips and Trips at Work
Your employer has a legal duty of care to you and all employees to ensure that your workplace is safe and free of potential risks….
Read moreCompensation for slipping on a wet floor
If you’ve slipped on a wet floor and suffered an injury, contact us to find out how much compensation you could be entitled to.
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How Much Compensation for Slipping on a Wet Floor?
A slip and fall on a wet floor can result in a range of injuries, from minor sprains to life-changing brain damage. If your accident was due to someone else’s negligence and you want to make a claim, you might wonder how much compensation for slipping on a wet floor you could be entitled to.
Employers, as well as property owners, have a legal duty of care to keep everyone on their premises safe from accidents caused by wet floors. However, this duty is sometimes breached through uncleaned spillages, leaks, a lack of warning signs and other types of negligence.
To find out if you can proceed with a claim after slipping on a wet floor, call 0800 470 0474 today or use our online claim form to request a call back. Our legal team will offer you a free case assessment and give you an estimate of the compensation amount you could receive for your injuries.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.
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Can I claim compensation for slipping on a wet floor?
To be eligible to make a personal injury claim following an accident, you must be able to prove the following:
- Another party (such as your employer or a supermarket) owed you a legal duty of care.
- They breached this duty and caused you to have a slip and fall accident on a wet floor.
- You suffered an injury or injuries as a result of this accident within the past three years.
If these can be supported with evidence, a specialist personal injury solicitor will help you claim compensation on a no win no fee basis.
What is a duty of care?
Certain third parties have a legal duty of care that they must always uphold. This is a duty to keep you safe from accidents and injuries, such as slipping on a wet floor. The main places where this applies are:
At work
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers are required to take all reasonable steps to ensure employees are safe from accidents, including slips on wet floors.
In public places
Businesses and property owners also have a legal duty of care to ensure the reasonable safety of visitors on their premises and prevent accidents from slipping on a wet floor in a public place. This duty is primarily outlined in the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957.
The key responsibilities of third parties under these legislations overlap and include:
- Carry out regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards, such as spills and leaks.
- Promptly clean up or address any hazards and maintain floors dry and in good condition.
- Place clear, visible wet floor signs to mark wet areas at risk of slips.
- Use slip-resistant flooring or mats in high-risk areas.
- Ensure the premises are adequately lit so that hazard or warning signs are visible.
- Train employees on how to manage spills, leaks, or adverse weather conditions and how to use warning signs effectively.
A breach of these duties leading to an injury could entitle you to make a public place accident claim or a workplace accident claim, depending on the circumstances.
What is included in a compensation claim for slipping on a wet floor?
A claim for slipping on a wet floor at work or in a public place typically includes two types of damages:
General damages
Compensation for general damages is based on the type and severity of the injury you have suffered. This takes into account the following:
- Physical pain and suffering.
- Emotional and psychological distress.
- Loss of amenity – how your ability to enjoy your hobbies and daily life was affected.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Mental and physical disability.
- The overall effect on your well-being.
Special damages
Special damages compensate for any financial losses and expenses directly related to your accident, such as:
- Past and future loss of earnings due to time off work.
- Private medical treatments, prescriptions and rehabilitation.
- Expenses incurred for travelling to medical appointments or therapy sessions.
- Costs of care and assistance, even if provided by friends or family.
- Modifications to your home or vehicle.
- Medical aids and equipment.
Your solicitor will carefully assess your losses to ensure you receive the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to.
Examples of compensation awards for a wet floor accident
As mentioned above, your compensation will include two types of damages. Special damages are based on documents such as receipts and bank statements, and there is no upper limit for the amount you can claim.
General damages depend on the type and severity of your injury and are based on the Judicial College guidelines.
Here are some examples of potential compensation awards for general damages:
- £2,370 to £97,330 for severe lacerations causing scarring and disfigurement.
- £4,180 to £9,900 for a fractured clavicle with permanent recovery.
- £6,020 to £13,740 for a knee injury that causes ongoing but minor symptoms.
- £12,590 to £26,590 for hip injuries that need surgery and cause some degree of long-term symptoms.
- £31,310 to £50,060 for a severe ankle fracture that requires surgery and causes permanent mobility issues.
- £31,350 to £56,375 for a back injury causing ongoing pain and some degree of permanent disability.
- £52,390 to £104,370 for severe spinal injuries that cause some degree of paralysis or loss of function.
You can use our personal injury compensation calculator to find out within minutes how much you could expect to receive if your claim is successful.
How much compensation could I claim if a loved one passed away after slipping on a wet floor?
If a loved one passed away following a severe injury caused by slipping on a wet floor, you may be eligible to claim under the Fatal Accidents Act 1976. This could include:
- Funeral costs.
- Loss of financial dependency.
- Loss of services and companionship.
- The pain, suffering and financial losses incurred by your loved one before their death.
- A bereavement award of £15,120.
Your solicitor will carefully calculate the amount of compensation you could receive for the loss of your loved one using evidence such as payslips, invoices and reports from financial experts.
What evidence do I need to make a claim if I slipped on wet floor?
The evidence you could use to support a claim and secure fair compensation for slipping on a wet floor includes:
- Photographs or videos of the wet floor, the specific hazard and your injuries.
- CCTV footage of the accident, if available.
- A copy of an accident report filed with an employer or property owner.
- Statements from anyone who saw the accident or can confirm the hazard.
- All medical records from your GP or hospital, including details of your diagnosis, treatment and prognosis.
- Your written account of how the accident happened and how it has affected your life.
- Inspection and maintenance logs from the business or property where the accident occurred.
- Reports from expert witnesses.
- Financial records to prove your losses and expenses.
What types of negligence could lead to a claim for slipping on a wet floor?
Various types of negligence could result in a personal injury claim following a slip on a wet floor, including:
- Failing to clean spills promptly.
- Not using wet floor warning signs.
- Poor maintenance of floors or drainage.
- Lack of regular safety inspections.
- Failing to repair leaks.
- Insufficient lighting.
- Lack of non-slip materials in high-risk areas.
- Highly slippery floors in public spaces.
It is essential to mention that if you were partially at fault for your accident, for example, by ignoring a clear wet floor sign, any compensation awarded to you would likely be reduced to reflect what is known as contributory negligence.
Common injuries caused by slips and falls on wet floors
Slips and falls on a wet floor can lead to a wide range of injuries, including:
- Soft tissue injuries, such as ankle sprains, muscle strains in the back or bruises.
- Cuts and lacerations, especially if you fall on a sharp object or broken glass.
- Broken bones in the ankles, wrists, hips or other body parts.
- Head injuries ranging from minor concussions to serious injuries to the brain.
- Dental injuries, such as chipped, cracked or lost teeth.
- Back injuries, including damage to the spinal cord.
- Psychological trauma, such as anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder.
The type and severity of your injury will determine the compensation bracket that your claim will fall into.
How much compensation could I claim if I slipped on a wet floor abroad?
If you’ve slipped on a wet floor abroad due to someone else’s negligence, there are two ways in which you could secure compensation:
If your accident occurred as part of a package holiday, you could claim compensation from your UK tour operator. In this case, the claim would be settled under UK law, and your compensation award would be calculated in accordance with the Judicial College guidelines.
If you booked your travel independently, you would need to make a claim directly against the party responsible for your accident. This means compensation will be calculated according to the laws of the foreign country and could result in a better or worse payment compared to the UK.
Your solicitor will be able to advise you on how much compensation you could receive during a free initial consultation.
Is there a time limit for starting a wet floor injury claim?
Yes, there is generally a three-year time limit for making a personal injury claim, starting from the date of your accident. Failure to meet this deadline will likely result in your claim being statute-barred, meaning you’ll lose your right to compensation.
The time limit is legislated under the Limitation Act 1980, which also contains the following exceptions:
- If the injured party is a child, the three-year period only begins to run on their 18th birthday.
- If the claimant lacks mental capacity, the limitation period is put on hold or altogether suspended.
You can read more about time limits here: How long do I have to start a claim?
How much will it cost to make a wet floor accident claim?
If you are eligible to claim compensation for slipping on a wet floor, your solicitor will offer you a no win no fee agreement. That means you do not have to pay them anything upfront, and there is no financial risk if you lose the case.
If you win, your solicitor is entitled to a success fee that will be deducted from your compensation award. This fee is agreed upon from the beginning and can’t exceed 25% of the settlement amount.
Find out how much compensation for slipping on a wet floor you could claim today!
If you want to find out how much compensation for slipping on a wet floor you could get, get in touch with our team of solicitors.
You will receive a free initial consultation to discuss your case and compensation prospects. If you can claim and choose to proceed, you will be offered a no win no fee service. Your solicitor will provide you with support and guidance at every step of the claims process.
To start your claim today, call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details into our online claim form to receive a call back.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
