Fall Down Stairs Claims

Falls down stairs can be extremely traumatic and lead to serious injuries, such as broken bones, dislocations and brain trauma. Such accidents can occur in various settings, including at work, at home, or in a public place like a shopping centre, pub or restaurant and can have lifelong consequences.

If you fell and suffered an injury due to some type of negligence, such as broken steps, poor lighting or a missing handrail, you may be entitled to claim compensation against the party at fault. A fall down stairs claim would cover your physical pain, emotional suffering and any related financial losses and expenses, such as lost wages.

For a free case assessment, get in touch by calling 0800 470 0474 or entering your details to request a call back.

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Table of Contents

• Circumstances where a fall down stairs may result in a personal injury claim
• Am I eligible to make a fall down stairs claim?
• Can I claim compensation for falling down stairs at work?
• Can I claim for a fall down the stairs in public?
• Can I claim for injuries caused by falling down stairs at home?
• Common injuries from falling down stairs
• Evidence needed to support a personal injury claim
• Can I make a claim on behalf of a loved one who fell down stairs?
• Can I claim compensation if I was pushed and fell down stairs?
• What is the time limit to start a fall down stairs claim?
• How much compensation can I claim for injuries sustained in a fall down a flight of stairs?
• Will I receive a No Win No Fee service from my solicitor?

Circumstances where a fall down stairs may result in a personal injury claim

Unfortunately, falls down stairs are not uncommon. They account for many injuries and deaths each year, especially among the elderly. While many people fall at home due to their own fault, many such accidents are caused by another party’s negligence and could lead to a claim for compensation.

Your fall could result in a successful personal injury claim if it were caused by the following:

• Faulty or damaged bannisters or handrails
• Poor lighting on the stairwell
• Broken or missing steps
• Unmarked stairs
• Loose or worn-out carpets on the stairs
• Polished or slippery wet tiles
• Ice and snow on outdoor stairs
• Hazards left on or near stairs and escalators
• Lack of warning signs if there were known dangers
• Design flaws, such as irregular step heights

If you or a loved one had a fall down stairs and you can prove another party’s negligence, you might be able to secure compensation for your pain, suffering and related financial losses.

Am I eligible to make a fall down stairs claim?

If you fell down a set of stairs and were injured, you could be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering. Knowing whether you have a valid claim can be challenging, but the easiest way to find out is through a free consultation with a personal injury solicitor. They will ask you a few questions about the incident to assess whether:

• The defendant in your case owed you a duty of care legally;
• They breached this duty through negligence or wrongdoing;
• You fell down stairs and suffered injuries as a result.
• The accident happened within the last 3 years

If these can be established, the solicitor will take on your case and help you get the compensation you deserve. Below, you can read more about how a duty of care can be proven based on the specific details of your accident.

Can I claim compensation for falling down stairs at work?

While at work, your employer must take all reasonable measures to protect you from accidents and injuries, as stated by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. These include:

• Conduct regular risk assessments to identify risks of falling down the stairs;
• Ensure stairs are structurally sound, without defects such as loose or missing steps;
• When appropriate, use anti-slip materials on the stairs to provide more grip and make them less slippery;
• Make sure the stairs are free from obstructions, spills or debris that could lead to a slip or fall;
• Install handrails that are appropriately secured and at the correct height;
• Provide alternative measures for carrying heavy loads between floors;
• Use warning signs to alert employees of potential hazards, such as wet steps when they are cleaned.

If your employer failed in their duty of care and you fell down the stairs at work, you could make an accident at work claim against your employer. Under unfair dismissal laws, you cannot be sacked or otherwise disciplined for making your claim. In the unlikely event that your employer retaliates negatively in some way, you can take further legal action at an employment tribunal.

Can I claim for a fall down the stairs in public?

When you are in a public place, such as a pub, restaurant, shopping centre, train station or office building, the owner or occupier of the premises has a duty to ensure your safety. This is set out by the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 and involves ensuring that any areas where there are stairs:

• Are well lit;
• Have clearly marked edges;
• Have good slip resistance;
• Are free from spillages, obstructions or obstacles;
• Have clear warning signs to inform visitors of known dangers;
• Have well-secured handrails at adequate heights;
• They must also ensure that any faults or hazards are promptly addressed and repaired.

If you fell down the stairs in a public place due to a breach of duty, you could be entitled to compensation for the damages you incurred as a result.

Can I claim for injuries caused by falling down stairs at home?

Even if you fall down stairs at home, you could still be eligible to make a personal injury claim. While, for the most part, it would be difficult to hold someone else responsible for your accident, there may be situations where you could be entitled to compensation.

For example, if you live in a rented home, your landlord might be liable for your injuries under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985 if they failed to provide a safe space for you to live in. As such, you could make a claim if you fell due to inadequate lighting, poorly fitted carpets or broken steps in your rented home that your landlord failed to fix.

Common injuries from falling down stairs

A fall down steps and stairs can lead to various types of injuries ranging from minor cuts and bruises to life-changing brain trauma. Some of the most common types of injuries seen in compensation claims include:

• Broken bones, most commonly in the wrists, arms or ankles and sometimes more complex hip or pelvis fractures;
• Sprains and strains caused by a sudden, uncontrolled twisting or awkward landing, which can cause damage to the muscles, tendons or ligaments;
• Brain injuries can be caused by hitting your head on the steps, handrail or other nearby structures and can range from mild concussions to severe trauma;
• Back injuries ranging from mild sprains and strains to severe fractures, herniated discs or damage to the spinal cord;
• Cuts and lacerations from sharp edges or blunt force trauma, some of which can need stitches and lead to permanent scarring;
• Shoulder fractures, dislocations or rotator cuff tears, which can lead to long-term mobility issues;
• Nerve injuries, which can cause pain, numbness, tingling, or even weakness in the affected area;
• Injuries to organs such as the lungs, spleen and liver can be caused by a forceful impact to the chest or abdomen during your fall.

Whether you have suffered mild or severe injuries, your solicitor will work hard to secure the maximum amount of compensation you are entitled to.

Evidence needed to support a personal injury claim

If you fell down the stairs and want to pursue compensation for your injuries, you will need as much evidence as possible to support your claim, which could include:

• Photographs of the accident scene, capturing any hazards that contributed to it, such as broken steps, a missing handrail or spillages;
• Pictures of your initial injuries and your recovery process;
• CCTV footage of the accident can be essential to prove what happened if this was captured on camera;
• Statements from witnesses to your accidents or from friends and family who saw how it has affected you;
• Medical records such as doctor’s notes and X-rays are essential to prove the type and extent of your injuries, the treatments received and your prognosis;
• A copy of an accident report if you had a fall at work or in a public place and this was logged in the company’s accident logbook;
• You also need financial documents, such as receipts and invoices, to prove all the losses and expenses incurred because you’ve fallen down stairs.

Can I make a claim on behalf of a loved one who fell down stairs?

If someone you love suffered injuries due to a trip or fall down the stairs, you could make a personal injury claim on their behalf. This will be possible by applying to the court to be named as their litigation friend, proving that you have no conflicting interests and can make competent decisions about the case.

This process is typically used when the injured party is a child under 18 or an adult who lacks mental capacity due to a brain injury or a condition such as Alzheimer’s disease.

As a litigation friend, you will have several responsibilities, which include:

• Liaise with solicitors.
• Help gather evidence to support the claim.
• Act in the claimant’s best interests.
• Pay any fees requested by the court.
• Consider any compensation offers from the defendant.

If you make a successful claim, the compensation amount must be approved by a judge during a court hearing. The funds will then be kept in a court bank account or a personal injury trust in the claimant’s name.

Can I claim compensation if I was pushed and fell down stairs?

If you were pushed down the stairs and injured, you could be entitled to claim compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). The CICA is a government organisation established to provide compensation to blameless victims of violent crimes who have suffered physical or psychological injuries.

The claims process for CICA claims is similar to that of any other personal injury case, except that:

• You must report the incident to the police within 48 hours;
• You must have a crime reference number;
• You must start legal proceedings within two years after the incident;
• Your compensation award will be based on a fixed CICA tariff scheme and can range from £1,000 to £500,000 based on the severity of your injuries.

What is the time limit to start a fall down stairs claim?

Generally, you have three years to claim compensation for falling down stairs, starting from the date of your accident. According to the Limitation Act 1980, your case will be statute-barred and no longer valid if you miss this deadline. A few exceptions apply to this limitation date:

• You can make a child injury claim at any time before their 18th birthday. Afterwards, they have until turning 21 to start a claim themselves.
• If you cannot handle a claim due to a brain injury or another condition, such as autism, the time limit is put on hold, and a litigation friend could represent you anytime.
• You have two years to make a CICA claim for injuries sustained due to a criminal assault.
• If you were injured abroad, the time limit could vary from country to country and be much shorter than three years.

How much compensation can I claim for injuries sustained in a fall down a flight of stairs?

The amount of compensation you could receive for an injury caused by falling down a flight of stairs will largely depend on its severity. Your compensation award will be calculated based on two types of damages resulting from the injury, which are:

• General damages refer to the pain, suffering and other subjective impacts caused by the injury. Examples include scarring and deformity, loss of ability to pursue a hobby you used to enjoy, loss of companionship and mental anguish.
• Special damages refer to financial losses and expenses related to the accident. These could be lost wages during recovery, private medical treatments, care costs and adaptations to your home or vehicle.

According to our compensation calculator, you could receive the following awards for some of the most common injuries caused by a fall down the stairs:

• £1,880 to £10,890 for a mild head injury with no long-term effects
• £23,460 to £36,120 for a neck injury causing long-term mobility issues
• £2,810 to £3,790 for a wrist fracture with complete recovery within a year
• Up to £3,950 for a minor rib fracture
• £11,730 to £42,710 for leg injuries such as ligament tears or severe fractures causing disability

Will I receive a No Win No Fee service from my solicitor?

Yes, your solicitor will offer you a 100% no win no fee agreement if your case is valid. That means you only pay them if you make a successful claim for your injuries. Under these circumstances, they will be entitled to a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation, capped at 25% of its value. If you lose, you do not pay them anything, meaning you take no financial risk by hiring legal representation.

You can also take out After the Event (ATE) insurance, which will cover all the litigation costs if you lose your claim. These include court fees, medical reports, the defendant’s solicitors and barrister fees if you go to court.

To find out if you may be able to claim after falling down stairs, do not hesitate to call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details here to arrange a free consultation.

Last edited on 14th Jul 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.