If you've sustained an injury at home and somebody else was at fault, you may have a valid case to make an accident at home compensation claim
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Accident at Home Claims
Accidents at home are common, and they can sometimes result in severe or even fatal injuries. These include slips, trips and falls, poisoning, falling objects, electric shocks and accidents due to faulty appliances. Even if you are at home, your accident may be due to someone else’s negligence, such as your landlord, contractor or a product manufacturer.
If someone else is liable for your injury, you may be able to claim compensation. This could cover your pain and suffering and any financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses you incurred.
Key points about accident at home claims
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you were injured in someone else’s home due to unsafe conditions or negligence.
- Who’s Responsible: Landlords, housing associations or third-party contractors could be liable if they failed in their duty of care.
- Time Limit: You usually have 3 years from the date of the accident to make a claim, subject to some exceptions.
- Compensation: Depends on the nature and severity of your injury and may cover pain, recovery time, and loss of income.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will provide a no win, no fee service, so you won’t pay anything unless your claim is successful.
Friendly legal advisors are available to discuss your accident at home claim today.
- Find out if you have a valid claim
- A risk free, no win no fee* service
- We are available 7 days a week
- Experienced personal injury lawyers
Table of Contents
Am I eligible to make an accident at home claim?
According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), around 2.7 million people are treated each year at the hospital after being injured at home. Furthermore, there are approximately 6,000 deaths caused by various types of home accidents.
You may be able to claim after an accident at home if somebody else was to blame for your injuries. The best way to find out whether you are entitled to compensation is through a free initial consultation with a legal adviser specialised in personal injury claims. They will assess your circumstances to determine whether:
- Another party owed you a legal duty of care
- They breached this duty by acting negligently or carelessly and caused your accident
- You suffered an injury as a result within the past three years
Your solicitor will seek to prove a duty of care and liability by referring to legislation such as the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 or the Consumer Protection Act 1987, among others. If you are able to make a claim, they will help you gather all the evidence you need to get the compensation you deserve, which is detailed in the section below.
What evidence do I need to support my claim?
If you are eligible for compensation, your solicitor will need strong evidence to support your accident at home compensation claim. The types of proof they could use might include the following:
- Medical records. These will show the type and severity of your injury, diagnostic tests and the treatments you received;
- A report from a specialist. Your solicitor may arrange a free medical examination with an independent doctor to assess the long-term effects of your injuries and any future care needs;
- Visual evidence. You should take photographs or a video of the accident scene and any hazards that contributed to your injuries, such as broken furniture or uneven stairs. It can help if you also take pictures of any visible injuries and damage to your property;
- Product package. If you were injured due to a faulty product, you should keep its packaging;
- Witness statements. If someone else saw how your accident occurred, their testimony could help strengthen your claim if liability is denied;
- Your notes. Write down the details of the incident as soon as possible, including information such as the date and location and a step-by-step account of what happened. Try also to keep a journal of your injuries and how these have affected your life;
- Property maintenance records. If the accident was due to poor housekeeping in a rental property, you could use maintenance records and inspection reports to support your claim;
- Financial evidence. You should also keep records of all expenses incurred due to the accident. These may include medical bills, medication receipts, rehabilitation costs, lost wages, and any other out-of-pocket expenses directly related to the incident.
Our no win no fee guarantee ensures you never have to worry about unexpected fees or financial risk. Your solicitor will only receive a success fee if they win your claim.
Learn moreWhat situations could lead to a home accident claim?
Various accidents could lead to an injury at home claim, whether they happen in your house or someone else’s. These include:
- Slips, trips and falls on wet floors, uneven surfaces or poorly maintained walkways;
- Being hit by a falling object that was not fitted correctly, such as shelves or tiling;
- Electric shocks due to faulty appliances or lack of proper electricity maintenance checks;
- Accidents due to faulty appliances, furniture or equipment;
- Poisoning due to gas leaks and exposure to carbon monoxide because of faulty gas appliances, poor ventilation or blocked chimneys;
- Falls from heights due to faulty stairs, lack of railings or protective barriers, or structural collapses;
- Accidents in or around swimming pools, such as slips, falls, diving injuries or drowning;
- Dog bites and animal attacks on someone’s property may also result in personal injury compensation.
Even if your accident was not listed here, you may still have a valid claim. Based on the circumstances of the incident, the liable party may be:
- A contractor you have hired and carried out substandard work
- A product manufacturer, if you were injured due to a faulty item
- A landlord, freeholder or management company who neglected to maintain your property and the associated environment
Common injuries caused by home accidents
Accidents at home can result in a variety of injuries ranging from minor to severe, such as:
- Fractures are common injuries that often occur due to slips, trips and collisions with objects. They often involve the wrist, arm, hip or ankle and may require surgery and physical therapy to heal.
- Sprains and strains affect the muscles, tendons and ligaments and can cause pain, swelling and reduced range of motion.
- Burns and scalds can be due to accidents involving hot surfaces, liquids, or faulty appliances. Severe burns can cause scarring and disfigurement and can even be life-threatening.
- Contusions, commonly known as bruises, result from impacts with surfaces or objects at home. While generally mild, they can indicate underlying tissue damage.
- Cuts and lacerations can be due to falls, sharp objects or broken glass and may need cleaning, disinfection, and proper wound closure to prevent infection. Deep cuts may require stitches and cause permanent scarring.
- Head injuries can range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries. They can cause symptoms such as dizziness, nausea, or changes in consciousness and may have permanent and severe consequences.
- Back injuries are typically due to falls and can range from sprains and strains to herniated discs and spinal cord damage. Severe trauma can lead to paralysis and loss of function.
- Poisoning can be caused by ingesting or inhaling toxic substances in the home, such as household chemicals or carbon monoxide (see the NHS advice on poisoning for further medical information).
The type and severity of the injury you suffered will determine how much home accident compensation you may be able to claim.
What duties do landlords have to prevent accidents in the home?
All landlords have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to ensure that the house they provide for tenants is safe and free from hazards under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. If you live in a rented property, your landlord has various responsibilities to protect you from injuries, such as:
- Keep the property safe to live in, free from dampness and well-ventilated;
- Ensure that the home can withstand typical weather conditions and use from tenants and visitors;
- Make sure all gas and electrical equipment is safely installed and maintained;
- Keep the property in a reasonable state of repair inside and outside;
- Have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) and ensure electrical installations are inspected and tested at appropriate intervals in line with current legal requirements;
- If you move in between EICR checks, have a qualified electrician check that the wiring system is still safe;
- Be able to provide an Energy Performance Certificate for the property;
- Meet all fire safety requirements for the property;
- Ensure all maintenance is carried out to meet these requirements and keep the property safe and free from hazards.
If your landlord has failed to meet these requirements and you had an accident at home, they may be liable for compensation.
Can I claim if I am injured in someone else’s home?
Yes. You could still make a personal injury claim even if you had an accident in someone else’s home. Under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, the property owner or occupier has a legal duty to ensure that their premises are reasonably safe for visitors. This includes taking steps to prevent hazards and adequately warning you of any potential dangers.
If your injury was due to a faulty appliance or poor work by a contractor, you could start the claims process directly against the negligent party without involving the homeowner. On the other hand, if your accident were due to the owner’s negligence, your claim would be against them. For example, the homeowner may be liable for compensation if you slipped or tripped due to broken steps or uneven flooring, or if your child was struck by a falling object.
Their home insurance policy often covers injuries sustained by visitors on their property. If you win the accident compensation claim, their insurer may cover your losses.
What if I was partially at fault for my injury at home?
If you were injured in an accident that you were partially responsible for, you may still be entitled to compensation.
Under the principle of contributory negligence, you would receive a reduced compensation award that reflects your part of the blame. For example, if you suffered an arm injury valued at £30,000 but were 25% to blame for it, you would receive a reduced award of £22,500 due to your contributory negligence.
If you suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, an accident at home claim could help you get compensation for your pain, suffering and related financial expenses. Below, we have answered the most common questions claimants have about making a claim. For more information, please call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back.
Frequently Asked Questions
If your accident at home compensation claim is successful, you may have to attend an Infant Approval Hearing in court. Here, a judge will look at the available evidence to decide whether the settlement you agreed upon is fair and covers the claimant’s needs. The funds are typically held in a court bank account and released to the child on their 18th birthday.
- In the case of children, the three-year time limit begins on their 18th birthday, regardless of when the accident occurred. Before this date, a parent or legal guardian could claim for them at any time.
- If the claimant lacks mental capacity due to a brain injury, PTSD or another condition, the time limit is put on hold. A litigation friend could claim for them anytime. The time limit would only begin if the claimant regains their mental capacity.
- If you suffered due to a robbery, assault or another criminal act at home, you have two years to claim through the CICA.
- If you lost a loved one due to an accident at home and a third party was at fault, you could make a claim for compensation within three years of their death.
- General damages cover the physical injury and how it has affected your life. They may include physical and mental suffering, scarring and disfigurement, reduced quality of life and loss of amenities.
- Special damages cover the financial losses related to your accident. Examples include private medical treatments, care costs, medical aids, loss of earnings and travel expenses.
You can refer to our online compensation calculator to get an idea of how much you could receive based on the type and severity of your injury according to the Judicial College guidelines.
To find out if you are eligible for a no win no fee claim, call 0800 470 0472 today or enter your details into our online claim form to receive a free consultation with a friendly solicitor.
Friendly legal advisors are available to discuss your accident at home claim today.
- Find out if you have a valid claim
- A risk free, no win no fee service
- We are available 7 days a week
- Experienced personal injury lawyers
*Personal injury claims are provided on a no win no fee basis. If your claim is successful, your solicitor will receive a success of up to 25% of your compensation. If any additional costs could be payable, such as taking out legal protection insurance, these would be fully explained upfront by your solicitor before you decide to proceed with your claim. Termination fees may apply based on time spent on your case, or in situations such as: lack of cooperation, deliberately misleading your solicitor, failing to attend scheduled medical or expert examinations, or not appearing at a required court hearing. Please visit our guide to no win no fee claims page for further information.
