Tripping Over Wire Claims

Tripping over wires and cables, whether at home, at work or in a public place, can lead to multiple injuries. These include cuts, lacerations, fractures, sprained joints, back injuries, head injuries and spinal trauma.

While most of these injuries will typically heal with little to no long-term effects, some can permanently affect your daily life and well-being.

Employers, local councils, business owners and all other parties in charge of premises must take reasonable measures to prevent trips and falls over wires. If they fail to do so and you suffer an injury from tripping over trailing cables, you may be entitled to make a compensation claim.

For a free consultation with a legal adviser, contact us by calling 0800 470 0474 or entering your details into our contact form. They will let you know if you have a valid tripping over wire claim and answer any other questions you may have about the claims process.

Find out if you can claim

Call 0800 470 0474 now or request a call back below:

Call me 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.

Table of Contents

• Can I make a claim for tripping over wires?
• Trips and falls over cables at work
• Tripping over wires in a public place
• What should I do if I trip over a wire or cable?
• What injuries could a trip over cables cause?
• Can I make a claim on behalf of a loved one?
• How much compensation for tripping over wires?
• Time limits to start a claim for tripping over wires
• How long will my claim take?
• Will I get a No Win No Fee service?

Can I make a claim for tripping over wires?

The simplest way to find out if you can claim compensation for injuries caused by tripping over wires or cables is through a consultation with a legal adviser. They will assess your situation and verify whether:

• Another party owed you a legal duty of care.
• They breached this duty and caused a trip accident over a wire.
• You suffered an injury and other losses due to this accident.

If these apply to your situation, you will be paired with a personal injury solicitor who has expertise in these types of claims. They will help you gather all the evidence you need to prove liability and secure the maximum amount of compensation you can get.

It is essential to keep in mind that you could claim even if you are partially at fault for your injuries, such as if you ignored warning signs or were acting recklessly. If you are less than 50% to blame, you could still receive compensation. However, any payment would be reduced to reflect your contributory negligence.

Trips and falls over cables at work

While doing your work duties, your employer has a duty to keep you safe from accidents, including from trips or falls caused by wires at work. Their responsibilities stem from the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 and include the following:

• Carry out regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards like trailing cables, temporary wiring and poor lighting;
• Adopt adequate measures to eliminate or minimise risks;
• Ensure cables are securely fastened and routed away from walkways, stairs, and other areas where employees may pass;
• Use cable covers or clips to keep wires tidy and out of harm’s way;
• Act promptly on any complaints or concerns about cables left in walkways;
• Ensure proper lighting in all areas where there may be cables;
• Use warning signs to alert employees where there is a known danger of tripping over cables or wires;
• Provide employees with training on workplace safety, including how to identify and report trip hazards.

If your employer fails to uphold these duties and you suffer an injury, you are entitled to make an accident at work claim.

You can rest assured that claiming compensation for tripping over cables at work will not cost you your job, as it is unlawful to be sacked because of this. If your employer retaliates in any way, you can make a further claim at an employment tribunal.

Tripping over wires in a public place

Local councils and business owners have a similar duty towards all members of the public. Under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, they must ensure visitors to the property they are managing are not exposed to unnecessary risks of injury, including accidents caused by tripping over cables.

To protect the public’s health and safety, they must:

• Regularly inspect premises to ensure they are safe from hazards such as trailing cables;
• Take reasonable steps to eliminate or minimise risks, such as rerouting cables or ensuring they are properly stored;
• Maintain all walkways adequately lit and clear of obstructions that could be a tripping hazard, such as cables;
• Provide clear signage to alert visitors to any risk posed by loose or visible wires in the area;
• Take extra precautions if children are expected to use the premises, as they are not as careful as adults.

You could trip over a loose wire or cable in various public places, including shopping centres, office buildings, airports, supermarkets, hotels and restaurants. If your accident is due to the occupier’s negligence, you may be eligible to claim personal injury compensation.

What should I do if I trip over a wire or cable?

Whether you suffered an injury at work, in a restaurant, a shop, or elsewhere, the first thing you should do is ensure you receive prompt medical care if you need it. If your injury is not severe, you should try to collate as much evidence as possible, such as:

• Photographs or a video of the accident scene showing the hazardous wires that caused the incident;
• Take pictures of any visible injuries and damage to your items.
• Names and contact details of any witnesses who saw what happened or were aware of the tripping hazard;
• Make note of the time, location and other details of the accident;
• File an accident report with the responsible party and ask for a signed copy to prove the date, time and location of the incident.

If you want to claim compensation for the damages you incurred, you should speak to a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible. If you are entitled to compensation for tripping over wires, they will help you gather everything else you need to support your claim, including:

• Your medical records to prove the type and extent of your injuries;
• A medical report from an independent specialist regarding your future care needs;
• If available, CCTV footage of the incident;
• Statement from witnesses;
• Your testimony regarding the incident and its impact on your life;
• Documents such as receipts and invoices to prove your financial losses.

When you have all the necessary proof, your solicitor will contact the defendant and aim to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf. If negotiations fail, they will be ready to argue your case before a judge.

What injuries could a trip over cables cause?

A trip and fall over cables and wires can result in various injuries, depending on the circumstances and the way in which you fall. These include:

• Sprains and strains. These occur when the muscles, tendons or ligaments overstretch or tear due to sudden movements during a fall. They can cause pain, swelling and limited mobility.
• Cuts and lacerations. You can sustain these wounds if you trip and fall onto a hard surface or sharp object. Deep cuts can cause substantial bleeding, infections and scarring.
• Fractures. Impact with the ground due to a fall caused by trailing wires can result in broken bones, especially in the arms or legs. These cause pain, swelling and inability to move the affected body part.
• Head injuries. A sudden trip and fall may cause you to hit your head on the floor on another object, potentially leading to concussions or more severe brain trauma.
• Back injuries. Falling on your back or twisting awkwardly trying to break your fall can result in damage to muscles, ligaments or even the spine. This can result in pain, numbness and limited mobility.
• Whiplash. Whiplash is damage to the soft tissues of the neck caused by a rapid back-and-forth movement due to a sudden, forceful impact. This can cause stiffness, headaches and dizziness.
• Wrist injuries. When you trip, you instinctively stretch out your hands to try and break your fall, which can result in sprains, strains and fractures of the wrists.
• Knee injuries. The knees may absorb much of the impact of a fall, which can result in cartilage damage, ligament tears or even fractures of the knee cap.
• Ankle injuries. Twisting or rolling the ankle awkwardly due to a trip over wires can result in pain, swelling, bruising or difficulty walking due to a sprain or strain.

Can I make a claim on behalf of a loved one?

Yes. In certain circumstances, you may be eligible to claim compensation on behalf of a loved one as their litigation friend. This applies if the injured party is:

• A child under 18, as they are not legally able to start a claim or hire a solicitor.
• An adult who is a protected party under the Mental Capacity Act 2005. This means they suffer from a brain injury, intellectual disability, mental health condition or neurodegenerative disease such as Alzheimer’s.

To become a litigation friend, you must apply to the court and prove that you have no conflict of interest with the claimant and that you can carry out the legal process fairly and competently. If approved, you will have several responsibilities, such as:

• Liaise with solicitors
• Act in the best interests of the person you represent
• Ensure your decisions about the case align with the claimant’s wishes
• Approve and sign legal documents
• Consider any settlement offers from the defendant
• Pay all fees requested by the court

As a litigation friend, you may also need to go to a court hearing where a judge will assess the compensation amount you secured and determine whether it is fair. Once approved, your solicitor can help you deposit the payment into a personal injury trust, so it is ring-fenced and easy to manage.

How much compensation for tripping over wires?

The compensation award you could receive for a trip and fall at work or in a public place will be calculated based on two types of damages:

• General damages are awarded for the injuries you suffered and the pain, suffering and loss of amenity they have caused you. Examples include physical pain, mental anguish, scarring, reduced quality of life and impact on your ability to pursue your hobbies.
• Special damages are awarded for financial losses and expenses caused by the accident, such as medical treatments, lost wages, travel costs and assistance with daily living. These are calculated based on evidence like receipts, payslips and invoices.

The award for general damages is based on the type and severity of the injuries you suffered. According to our compensation calculator, you could receive:

• Up to £12,510 for mild sprain and strain injuries to the back
• Up to £14,450 for simple fractures of the tibia or fibula
• £10,040 to £31,220 for severe wrist injuries leading to ongoing pain or disability
• £3,950 to £97,330 for lacerations that lead to facial scarring and disfigurement
• £2,210 to £12,770 for a minor concussion with no long-term effects
• £6,020 to £13,740 for knee injuries that cause minor ongoing symptoms
• Up to £15,510 for a shoulder dislocation or fractured humerus

Time limits to start a claim for tripping over wires

If you tripped over a loose cable and suffered an injury at work or in a public place, you have three years to seek compensation after the accident date. This time limit is established by the Limitation Act 1980 and cannot be surpassed, or your claim will be statute-barred. There are a few exceptions:

• If your symptoms did not show immediately, the three years begin on the date of knowledge (when your injury was diagnosed and linked to the trip over the wire).
• If a child is injured, the three-year time limit does not begin until their 18th birthday. Before that, a suitable adult can make a child accident claim for them at any time.
• There is no time limit for a litigation friend to represent a protected party in a claim for tripping over a cable.

We encourage you to start the personal injury claims process as soon as possible to ensure access to evidence and have the best chances of success.

How long will my claim take?

It is difficult to predict how long a tripping over wire compensation claim could take. If the situation is straightforward, such as the defendant admits liability and your injuries are not severe, you could settle within several months. If your claim is particularly complex, it could take over two years to resolve.

The key factors that determine the length of a claim include:

• Disputes over liability
• The severity of your injuries
• How long it takes to know your prognosis
• The time you need to collect evidence
• The value of the compensation you seek
• The time it takes to negotiate a settlement
• Whether your case goes to court

You should know that if the defendant admits liability or you have compelling evidence, you can sometimes apply for interim payments while the case is ongoing. These are partial payments advanced to you from your final compensation award to cover immediate expenses like medical bills and the cost of living.

Will I get a No Win No Fee service?

If you are entitled to make a personal injury claim for tripping over a loose wire, the solicitors we partner with will offer you a no win no fee agreement. This is the preferred way of hiring legal representation because:

• You do not have to pay anything upfront so that you can take legal action regardless of your financial situation.
• If you win the accident claim, your solicitor will receive a success fee from your compensation. This will be pre-agreed and capped at 25% of your settlement.
• If you lose the case, you do not owe them a single penny, so there is no financial risk to you.

Since your solicitor’s fees are dependent upon the success of your case, you can be confident that you have a valid claim, and they will be doing their best to win it. This will give you peace of mind so that you can focus on your recovery and your loved ones.

If you feel you may have a valid tripping over wire claim, please call 0800 470 0474 or enter your details into our contact form to request a call back. You will receive a free case assessment and legal advice with no obligations to continue.

Last edited on 7th Aug 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.