Claims Against the Council
Local councils are responsible for a range of public places and facilities, such as schools, social services and public transport. They must take all reasonable…
Read moreClaim compensation for an accident in public
If you have been injured in an accident in a public place, you could be entitled to make a No Win No Fee personal injury claim.
We are a claims management company regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.
Property owners and occupiers have a legal duty to keep all public premises safe for visitors. If you were injured in a public place due to their negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. Public areas include shops, restaurants, hotels, gyms, pavements and parks, to name a few.
Such accidents include slips, trips and falls, injuries from falling objects, electric shocks and criminal assaults. These could lead to injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to severe brain and spinal cord damage. Your accident in public may have caused you a lot of pain and affected various aspects of your life, such as the ability to work and enjoy leisure activities.
If another party was at least partially responsible for the harm you suffered, you could make an accident in public claim. To find out more about your legal rights, 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. 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.
According to the Public Order Act 1986, a public place is considered any area that is open to the public or where the public has access. Common examples include:
The local councils, as well as private owners and occupiers of public spaces, must keep these areas safe and free of hazards that could cause injuries to visitors. If they fail to do so, the injured person may be eligible to make an accident in public compensation claim.
The easiest way to find out if you can claim accident in public compensation is through a consultation with a legal adviser. They will ask you a few questions about your situation to determine whether:
You do not have to worry about proving a legal duty of care. Your solicitor will do this by referring to legislation such as the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and the Highways Act 1980. But you must keep in mind that there are strict time limits for starting a claim, so you should seek legal advice as soon as possible after your accident in public.
Once they establish liability, your solicitor will help you gather the necessary evidence to support your claim and inform the other side of your intentions to pursue compensation. If they admit being at fault, you can start to negotiate a settlement. Otherwise, your solicitor will issue court proceedings. Even so, it is doubtful your case will go to trial, as more than 95% of all claims are resolved out of court.
You could also start a personal injury claim on behalf of your child or another loved one who cannot claim themselves. A solicitor can help you apply to the court to be appointed as their litigation friend and then guide you through all the steps of the claims process.
To make a successful public place accident claim, you will need various evidence to show:
During your free initial consultation, your solicitor will evaluate the evidence you have, and if they take on your case, they will help you gather anything else you may need. The types of proof you should collect to support a claim include:
Your solicitor may also arrange a free medical exam with a specialist who will determine the long-term effects of your injuries and any ongoing care needs you may have.
The most common types of accidents in public spaces that may lead to injury compensation include:
This list is not exhaustive, and other accidents may lead to a public injury claim as long as another party was at least partially at fault for it.
Accidents in public places can lead to many injuries, ranging from minor to severe. These can vary based on the nature of the accident and the specific circumstances and include:
If you have been injured in a public place and decide you want to claim, your solicitor will determine who is liable for compensation. Based on your circumstances, the defendant will typically be:
The local council
Local councils have duties under the Highways Act 1980 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. They must follow the required health and safety regulations to keep the chances of accidents to a minimum. Their duties include:
A property owner or occupier
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1984, the owner or occupier of public areas, such as shops, pubs and restaurants, must ensure that all visitors are safe on their premises. Their duties include:
If a business owner or local authority has failed in their duty of care towards you, you may be able to claim compensation for an accident in public.
An accident in a public place can have various consequences for which you could claim compensation. Below, we have answered some of the most common questions we receive from claimants about personal injury claims. If you want more information or to discuss your case with an experienced solicitor, do not hesitate to get in touch by calling free on 0800 470 0474.
The time limit to claim compensation is typically three years from the date of the accident in public. This limitation date is set out by the Limitation Act 1980, and the court will only accept a claim that falls within it. There are, however, a few exceptions that may apply to the standard three-year time limit, such as:
The amount of accident in public compensation you could receive depends on the type and extent of your injuries and the related financial expenses. Your solicitor will ensure all your losses are included in your accident claim. You can recover two types of damages:
General damages are awarded for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by the injury. Examples include:
Special damages are awarded for the related economic losses and expenses, such as:
You can check out our compensation calculator to see how much you could receive for general damages for your injury. The award for special damages will be calculated based on the evidence you can produce, such as receipts, bank statements and pay slips.
If you are entitled to compensation, your personal injury solicitor will offer you a no win no fee* agreement. That means you do not have to pay them anything upfront to start your claim. Your injury lawyer only receives a success fee if and after you receive your compensation award. This fee can be up to 25% of your settlement.
The After the Event (ATE) insurance policy included in your arrangement will ensure you do not pay any legal charges or disbursements if your case fails. It will cover all your costs, such as court fees, medical reports and the defendant’s expenses, which you could otherwise be liable for. This ensures you will never be left out of pocket when making a claim.
To find out if you can make a public place claim, call 0800 470 0474 today or use our online claim form to request a no-obligation, free case assessment.