If you've had an accident in a public place such as a shop, park or pavement and believe somebody else was at fault, you could be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries.
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Accidents in Public
If you’ve had an accident in a public place, such as a shop, supermarket, restaurant or on a pavement, and another party was at fault, you could be entitled to compensation. An accident in public claim can cover the pain and suffering caused by your injuries, as well as medical expenses and any related financial losses.
Common hazards include potholes, wet floors, trailing cables, objects left in walkways and falling items. Local councils and business owners have a legal duty to take reasonable steps to maintain premises they are responsible for in a safe condition. If they fail to do so, they may be liable for any related injuries.
To find out if you may have a valid personal injury claim, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back today for free legal advice from a specialist public liability solicitor.
Key points about public place accident claims
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you were injured in a public place due to poor maintenance, spillages or other hazards.
- Duty of Care: Local councils, businesses, and property owners must take reasonable steps to keep public areas safe for visitors and the public.
- Time Limit: You generally have 3 years from the accident date to begin a public liability claim, although there are some exceptions.
- Compensation: Can include payment for your injury, time off work, medical treatment and any ongoing effects.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will handle the case on a no win, no fee basis — you’ll only pay a fee if the claim is successful.
Table of Contents
What is classed as a public place?
Under the Public Order Act 1986, a public place is defined as any premises to which the public has access, on payment or otherwise. Privately owned businesses are still considered public places if members of the public are allowed to enter.
Public liability accident claims often arise from accidents on premises such as:
- Streets, town squares and parks.
- Public highways, footpaths and walkways.
- Leisure centres, such as gyms and swimming pools.
- Car parks and train stations.
- Cinemas, theatres and music venues.
- Museums and other tourist attractions.
- Shops and shopping centres.
- Bars, cafes, nightclubs and restaurants.
- Schools and other educational institutions.
Can I claim compensation for an accident in a public place?
If you suffered an injury in an accident on public premises, you might be entitled to compensation. A free consultation with a personal injury solicitor is the quickest way to find out if you meet the eligibility criteria for accidents in public places claims:
- You were owed a legal duty of care.
- A third party breached this duty by acting negligently.
- The breach caused an accident on public property.
- You suffered an injury as a direct result of the accident.
If these apply to your case, you may be able to proceed with a claim. You could still be eligible even if you were partially at fault for the accident (for example, you ignored a clear warning sign). However, your compensation would be reduced to reflect your contributory negligence.
Who is responsible for accidents in public places?
If you suffered an injury in an accident in public, do not be too quick to blame yourself. Often, accidents occur because another party breaches their duty of care to the public. This could be:
You could make a claim against the council if you were injured:
- In a public park or playground accident.
- In a school accident, depending on who was responsible for the premises or supervision.
- In a council house or property.
- On a damaged road or pavement.
- Keep the premises in good repair.
- Provide proper staff training.
- Carry out reasonable inspections and maintenance.
- Signpost slip and trip hazards.
- Clear snow, ice and debris from entrances and car parks where reasonable.
This could apply to accidents at fairgrounds, restaurants, supermarkets, gyms, shops, or any other public place.
- A dog owner may be liable if you are bitten by a dog.
- If you are the victim of a violent crime in public, you may be able to claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
Is there a time limit for making a public accident claim?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you can usually make a claim for compensation within three years from the date you are injured in a public place.
There are several exceptions to the three-year limitation period:
- A parent or legal guardian can bring a child injury claim at any time before the child’s 18th birthday.
- The limitation period is suspended while the victim lacks the mental capacity to conduct legal proceedings, and a litigation friend can claim on their behalf during that time.
- Criminal injury claims through the CICA have a two-year time limit in most cases.
Acting quickly can strengthen your claim because it allows your solicitor to gather evidence and witness statements while the details are still fresh.
How do I make a public accident claim for compensation?
There are several steps you should take following an accident to support a future public place injury compensation claim:
- Seek medical attention immediately.
- Report the accident to the relevant authority and request a signed copy of the report.
- Gather any evidence that supports your claim, such as photos of hazards and witness details.
- Contact an experienced solicitor to discuss your case during a free initial consultation.
If you can proceed, your solicitor will identify the liable party and take your claim to them. If they admit liability, you can begin to negotiate a fair settlement. If they dispute it or you can’t agree on compensation, your solicitor may issue court proceedings on your behalf. 
How much compensation can I claim for an injury in a public place?
The amount of compensation awarded for personal injury claims, including for injuries sustained in a public place incident, is calculated based on two types of damages:
Special damages compensate for any out-of-pocket expenses or financial losses you incurred due to your accident, such as:
- Medical treatments and rehabilitation.
- The cost of travelling to and from medical visits.
- Lost earnings and loss of earning capacity.
- Costs of care and assistance with daily tasks.
General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and other personal losses, including:
- Physical or mental impairment.
- Inability to pursue a hobby or social events.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Scarring and disfigurement.
It may be difficult to calculate or quantify a suitable compensation award for general damages. In the UK, the Judicial College sets out compensation guidelines that solicitors use to negotiate a settlement.
The figures below are taken from the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines. Your claim will be valued based on your specific circumstances, including the severity of your injuries and the impact on your life.
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Back Injuries | A serious back injury causing nerve root damage, loss of sensation and some impairment to mobility, bladder, bowel and sexual function | £98,000 - £117,000 |
| Hip And Pelvis Injuries | A hip or pelvis fracture requiring surgery or hip replacement | £52,000 - £69,000 |
| Arm Injuries | A less severe arm injury with an expected near-full recovery | £25,000 - £52,000 |
| Foot Injuries | A serious foot injury causing ongoing pain or risk of future arthritis | £33,000 - £52,000 |
| Brain Damage | A brain injury with full recovery within three years | £2,900 - £17,000 |
| Achilles Tendon | Minor Achilles tendon damage | £9,600 - £17,000 |
| Fractured Nose | A simple undisplaced nose fracture with complete recovery | £2,300 - £3,300 |
To find out how much you could receive for a public place injury claim, call 0800 470 0472 for a free, no-obligation case assessment.
Can claims for accidents in public be made on a no win no fee basis?
Yes. If you are eligible to make a claim, your solicitor will offer you a no win no fee agreement. The solicitors we work with have experience winning compensation under a conditional fee agreement, which means that:
- There are no upfront legal fees.
- If you do not get compensation, you do not have to pay your solicitor for their work.
You only have to pay your solicitor if you receive compensation for your injuries. If you win, they will receive a success fee, which is deducted from your compensation and is subject to a legal cap of up to 25% of certain elements of your damages.
What evidence will I need to make a successful accident claim?
To make a successful public accident compensation claim, you will need evidence to prove liability, your injuries and the impact on your life. This could include:
- Medical records from your GP, the hospital or A&E department.
- Copies of accident reports.
- Photos or videos of the accident scene, hazards and your injuries.
- Witness statements.
- CCTV footage, if available, can show how the accident happened.
- Proof of financial losses and expenses you incurred.
What are the most common accidents that happen in public places?
The solicitors we work with are regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and have helped people secure compensation for common accidents in public places, including:
- Trips caused by uneven pavements.
- Slips on icy pavements.
- Slips on wet floors.
- Trips caused by trailing cables and obstacles.
- Falls from height due to missing handrails or broken stairs.
- Poorly stacked shelves in a supermarket.
- Falling signage or decorations.
- Poorly fitted tiles falling from buildings.
- Falling tools or materials on building sites.
- Items falling from balconies or windowsills.
- Faulty appliances or power outlets.
- Damaged cords or extension leads.
- Faulty equipment and poorly maintained wiring.
- Downed power lines.
- Faulty or poorly maintained equipment.
- Inadequate supervision or safety measures.
- Poor maintenance of facilities and outdoor areas.
- Physical and sexual abuse.
- Terrorist attacks.
- Robberies and assaults.
In some cases, you may be able to claim compensation through the CICA. However, if a property owner or local authority has failed to provide reasonable security, they may also be liable.
- From the owner, if their dog attacked you in public.
- From the CICA, if an owner used their dog as a weapon against you.
- Slips, trips or falls in hotels and resorts.
- Unsafe swimming pools or leisure facilities.
- Poorly maintained accommodation.
- Accidents caused by unsafe equipment or activities.
Call 0800 470 0472 or enter your details into our simple online claim form to find out if you may have a valid claim for a public place accident. A solicitor will answer all your questions, and there’s no obligation to proceed.
