Cinema Accident Claims

Going to the cinema to watch the latest Hollywood blockbuster is a pastime enjoyed by millions of people of all ages. While cinemas are generally safe, accidents can happen. Slips on poorly maintained stairs, trips over loose carpeting, or even something as unusual as a falling piece of ceiling can quickly transform an enjoyable outing into a painful experience that could have long-lasting consequences.

The UK is home to over 800 cinemas, including small independents and large chains such as Vue, Odeon, Cineworld and Showcase Cinemas. Whether large or small, each cinema is legally responsible for ensuring their venues are safe for their customers and workers. If they failed to do this and it has resulted in you suffering a personal injury, you could be entitled to make a cinema accident claim.

To find out if you have a valid claim, call 0800 032 3660 or request a call back using our online claim form. You will be provided with a free consultation, where a friendly legal adviser will review your case and let you know if you are eligible to make a claim. If you are, and you would like to go ahead, you will be connected with a no win no fee personal injury solicitor. This means there are no upfront costs and you will only pay your solicitor if you win compensation. Otherwise, you have nothing to pay.

Can I make a cinema accident claim?

Under the Occupiers Liability Act 1984, all business owners, including cinemas, owe a duty of care to their customers. This means they must ensure their premises are safe for use and that all reasonable steps are taken to prevent accidents and injuries from occurring.

To determine if you may be eligible to make a cinema accident compensation claim, the following questions will need to be considered:

• Did the cinema breach its duty of care?
• Did this breach of duty cause your accident?
• Did you suffer an injury as a result of this accident?

If the answer to each of the above questions is yes, it is likely that you would be entitled to make a claim for compensation against the cinema.

What are the most common types of accidents in cinemas?

According to data collected by the UK Cinema Association, there were more than 117 million cinema admissions in 2022. Although a massive number, this is down from highs of 177 million admissions in 2018, before a huge decline to 44 million in 2020 due to the Covid pandemic. With such a vast number of people visiting cinemas each year, it is no wonder that accidents can occasionally happen.

Accidents in cinemas can occur in many different ways. If the cinema owner is at fault, they could be held liable for the accident and made to pay compensation for your injuries and financial losses.

Below are some of the most common types of accidents in cinemas that could result in a claim:

Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents

Slips, trips and falls are the most common types of accidents that occur in cinemas and other public places. For example, spilt beverages or popcorn can make floors slippery. Trips can happen due to uneven flooring, loose carpeting, or obstructive objects left in aisles. Poor lighting in corridors or staircases can further exacerbate the risk of these accidents.

Faulty Seating

Cinemas have a responsibility to ensure that their premises are safe and well-maintained. This includes the seating provided within the cinema screens and outside in the lobby and refreshment areas. If they fail to do this and you are injured due to a damaged or faulty chair, you could claim cinema accident compensation.

Falling Objects

In some instances, improperly secured fixtures such as signs, advertisements, speakers, or even pieces of the ceiling can fall, causing injury to those below. Though relatively rare, these incidents can result in serious head injuries, especially if it involves a child or elderly person.

Electrical Accidents

Wiring for the multitude of electrical equipment in cinemas, such as projectors or sound systems, can pose a risk if they are not properly maintained. Exposed wires or malfunctioning equipment can lead to electric shock claims.

Food Poisoning

Although notoriously expensive, getting some cinema snacks when watching a film is part of the cinema experience. As well as popcorn and sweets, many cinemas also offer hotdogs, nachos and other hot food to choose from. If this food is not handled, stored or cooked properly and you become ill as a result, you could be entitled to make a food poisoning claim against the cinema.

Burns and Scalds

If a cinema staff member doesn’t put a lid on a coffee or other hot drink properly, it could spill on you and cause a nasty burn. As well as the immediate pain this can cause, you could also be left with a permanent scar and may be able to claim compensation.

Fire Hazards

Though modern cinemas are equipped with advanced fire suppression systems, there’s still a risk of fire breaking out due to electrical faults or other unforeseen circumstances. In such cases, injuries can occur due to smoke inhalation, burns, or during the evacuation procedures.

The above list is just a few examples of the types of accidents that can occur in cinemas. Of course, there are many other potential scenarios that could result in an injury caused by the negligence of the cinema. If the cinema was at fault for your accident, you should be entitled to make a cinema injury claim against them.

Can I claim if I was injured while working in a cinema?

As well as owing a duty of care to customers under the Occupiers Liability Act, cinema operators also owe a duty of care to their employees. And there are many of them, with estimates of around 21,000 people working in UK cinemas.

Employers must adhere to various pieces of legislation, with the central legislation being the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. All employers are legally obliged to provide a safe working environment for cinema staff. This includes conducting risk assessments and providing adequate training, safety equipment, and suitable procedures in case of an accident. If your employer fails in any of these responsibilities, resulting in your injury, you have the right to make a work accident claim for compensation.

To find out if you can make a cinema accident claim against your employer for an accident at work, enter your details into our online claim form or call free on 0800 032 3660. If you have a valid claim, the solicitors we work in partnership with will help you claim the compensation you deserve with a no win no fee service.

What evidence will I need to claim compensation for a cinema accident?

To make a personal injury claim against a cinema, you will need evidence to support your claim. Generally speaking, the more evidence you have, the stronger your case will be and the more likely you are to make a successful claim. Your personal injury lawyer will be able to help you gather the information you need, which could include the following:

• File an accident report – If you are injured in a cinema, it is important to report the accident to a member of staff. They should record the details of the incident in their accident book, which you are entitled to request a copy of.
• Take photographs – If something visible has caused your accident, such as a wet floor, a damaged seat or a loose carpet, try to take some photos. Having photographic evidence of an accident scene can be a great help when it comes to making a claim.
• Ask for any witness information – If anybody saw how the cinema accident happened, ask them if you can make a note of their name and phone number. If you decide to make a claim, your solicitor will be able to contact these witnesses for a statement.
• Ask for CCTV footage – If your accident was caught on CCTV cameras within the cinema, you can ask them to provide a copy of the video footage. Like photographic evidence, a video showing how your injuries were caused can help you build a strong case against the cinema.
• Get medical attention – To be eligible to make a personal injury claim, you must receive medical attention for your injuries. Depending on the severity of your injury, this could be a visit to your GP or a hospital. Any treatment you receive will be recorded in your medical records, which you can request a copy of.

Once you and your solicitor have gathered all of the evidence you need to make your cinema accident claim, your solicitor will send a letter of claim to the cinema owner. This will set out the details of your case and the amount of compensation you are looking to claim.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a cinema, you could be entitled to start a cinema accident compensation claim. For a free case assessment, call 0800 032 3660 or use our online claim form to request a call back.

Frequently Asked Questions

Having an accident in a public place like a cinema can be incredibly distressing. If the negligence of the cinema caused the accident, you have every right to want to be compensated. But you may also have questions and concerns about the legal process of making a claim. To help ease some of these concerns, we have answered some of the most common questions about personal injury claims below.

How much cinema accident compensation is my claim worth?

How much compensation you can claim for an injury will depend on the type of injury you have sustained and the severity. For example, you would expect a greater compensation amount for a serious injury such as a brain injury than you would for a sprained ankle.

When calculating the amount of compensation you can claim for an accident in a cinema, your solicitor will take into account the following:

• General damages are awarded to compensate you for the pain and suffering caused by your injury. How much compensation you are awarded is based on the type and severity of the injury and the impact it has had on your life. Solicitors, insurance companies and the courts base the amounts on the recommendations provided by the Judicial College Guidelines.
• Special damages are awarded to compensate you for any financial losses you incurred as a direct result of your accident and injury. The most common element of this is loss of earnings if you have had to take some time off work. But it could also include the cost of prescriptions and medications, transport costs to medical appointments and private medical treatment such as physiotherapy.

Your solicitor will be able to provide you with an estimate of the amount of compensation you could be entitled to once they have assessed the circumstances of your accident. In the meantime, you can also use our free compensation calculator.

Is there a time limit to start a cinema accident claim?

All personal injury claims, including those for accidents in a cinema, are subject to a time limit of three years. This means you have to start the claims process within three years of either:

• The date of the accident
• The date of knowledge, which is when your injury was diagnosed

If you don’t make your claim within the time limit, you will lose your right to claim compensation under the Limitation Act 1980. However, it is important to note that there are some exceptions to this limitation period.

Firstly, if a child is injured in a cinema accident, the three year time limit does not start until their 18th birthday. Before that point, a parent or legal guardian could claim on their behalf. Secondly, if a person lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, a friend or family member could claim on their behalf without having to worry about any time limit. This could apply if the injured person has a condition such as Alzheimer’s or Down Syndrome for example.

Will a solicitor offer me a no win no fee service?

Yes, all of the solicitors we work in partnership with across the UK provide a 100% no win no fee service. This service enables you to make a cinema accident claim without the stress of expensive legal bills. With a no win no fee agreement, there are no upfront costs, and you only pay your solicitor if they win your case.

If you win your claim, your no win no fee solicitor will charge a success fee of up to 25% of the compensation awarded. The success fee amount will be discussed and agreed upon from the outset, so there will never be any nasty surprises or hidden fees to worry about. If your claim is not successful, you won’t have to pay anything, making it a risk-free service.

If you have had an accident at the cinema and would like to find out if you can make a no win no fee claim, call 0800 032 3660 or use the contact form below to request a call back. A friendly legal adviser will provide you with a free case assessment to determine if you may be entitled to compensation. As well as finding out what your options are, you can also receive free legal advice on any questions you have about the claims process.