Slips, Trips and Falls Claims Liverpool
We can give you advice as to the prospects of success of your claim, the amount of compensation you may recover and the issues which need to be resolved.
Over the years we have dealt with a variety of claims in respect of injuries suffered in unusual circumstances including those caused by animals, faulty goods or street furniture, as well as trips and slips in the street or in shops and other public places.
What qualifies as a public liability claim?
A public liability claim is a claim for an injury from an accident which occurred in a public place, which was the fault of the person responsible for that land or premises. Public Liability claims are sometimes referred to as ‘slip and trip’ claims. Claims can be brought against local councils and against businesses open to the public, who should have a Public Liability insurance policy in place.
Common examples include tripping over an uneven paving stone, tripping over an object protruding from the floor, or slipping on a wet floor where a warning sign has not been displayed.
Who can you claim against for a slip, trip or fall?
When bringing a claim for a slip, trip or fall we need to assess who is responsible for the land in which the hazard was. This can be a business owner, a private landowner, or the Council. These people have a duty to ensure that their properties are safe for the public to use and are free from hazards. When they breach that duty and an injury is sustained a claim can be made against them.
How much compensation can I claim for a slip, trip or fall?
The claim for compensation depends on the level of injury that you have suffered. Other things that can be included are things such as loss of earnings or damage to your property from the fall. We use the Court Guidelines (professionally known as JC Guidelines) to assess the value of your injuries along with awards made in previous cases to support our valuations.
How long after a slip, trip or fall can you claim?
You have 3 years from the date of the incident to bring a personal injury claim if it happened after you turned 18. If you are claiming on behalf of a child, you have until their 21st birthday to bring a claim. However, it is always better to make enquiries on bringing a personal injury claim as soon as possible. This allows a good amount of time for the investigative stage.
What if my accident happened on private property?
If you had an accident on private land/property, you can still claim under the Occupier’s Liability Act 1957. This imposes a duty of care on private landowners towards legal visitors to their property.
Who can make a slip, trip or fall claim?
Anyone who has been injured because of a hazard can bring a claim. If it is a child who has been injured, then they will require an adult to bring the claim for them. This adult is called a ‘litigation friend’.
How long does a public liability claim take?
We usually estimate that a claim may take 12-18 months from the moment you instruct us, to receiving your compensation. However, many factors will affect how quickly the claim can settle. These include:
- Whether or not the Defendant accepts liability (fault) for the accident.
- How complex the injuries are, and whether you recover as quickly as anticipated by an independent medical expert.
- The value of the claim. Claims worth under £25,000 are dealt with differently than those valued above £25,000, as there are different procedures and policies in place. If your claim is valued at more than £25,000, it will most likely take longer to settle the claim.
- Whether court proceedings are necessary. Whilst as many as 95% of claims will settle before it reaches the doors of a court, if court proceedings are necessary in order to resolve the claim, it will of course mean that it will take longer as a result.