Claim for falling down stairs

If you have been injured from falling down stairs at work or in a public place, you could be entitled to make a fall down stairs claim for injury compensation.

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Fall Down Stairs Claim

A fall down the stairs in public, at home or at work can lead to serious injuries that can have lifelong consequences. These include fractures, nerve damage, damage to internal organs and severe brain injuries.

If you have fallen down the stairs because of someone else’s negligence, you might be entitled to compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as any related financial losses. Examples of negligence include faulty stairs, inadequate lighting on stairways, missing handrails and a lack of warning signs if known hazards were present.

If you were injured under such circumstances and want to find out if you have a valid fall down stairs claim, call 0800 470 0472 today or use our contact form to request a free case assessment.

Key points about fall down stairs claims

Eligibility: You may be able to claim if your fall down stairs was caused by a hazard such as poor lighting, loose handrails, or broken steps.
Occupier Liability: Property owners, councils and employers must take reasonable steps to keep staircases safe and well maintained to reduce the risk of accidents.
Time Limit: You typically have 3 years from the date of the accident to make a claim, with exceptions for children and people who lack mental capacity.
Compensation: Amount is based on the type and seriousness of your injuries, including physical pain, lost earnings, and recovery costs.
No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will act on a no win, no fee basis, meaning you only pay them if your claim succeeds.

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Table of Contents

Who could be liable for a fall down the stairs?

If you have fallen down the stairs, liability for your injuries may lie with several parties, depending on the location of your accident. For example:

A fall down stairs at home

Typically, you would not be entitled to compensation if you suffered an injury in your own home. However, there may be a few exceptions, such as:

If a third-party contractor has poorly installed, maintained or repaired your stairs, and this has caused you to fall, they may be responsible for the accident.
If you live in a rented home, your landlord must provide a safe space for you to live under the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985. If the accident was due to a broken step, inadequate lighting or another hazard they were aware of and didn’t fix, they may be liable for any resulting injuries you suffered.

A fall down stairs at work

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, your employer has a duty to protect you from harm while you are at your job. This includes keeping you safe from a fall down the stairs by taking measures such as installing handrails, providing adequate footwear, ensuring there is sufficient lighting, and keeping the stairs well-maintained and free of obstructions.

You could make a fall down stairs claim against your employer if your accident was due to their failure to comply with the legislation and take the necessary precautions to prevent it.

A fall down stairs in a public place

Owners and occupiers of public premises, such as local councils and private business owners, also have a duty of care towards members of the public. This duty stems from the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 and includes ensuring that all areas of the property, including the stairs, are safe and free of hazards that may cause injury.

If this duty of care has been breached and you suffered an injury, an experienced solicitor could help you claim compensation from the responsible party.

Can I claim compensation for a fall down the stairs?

You could be entitled to compensation if you suffered an injury from falling down stairs. The simplest way to find out if you are able to claim is through a free consultation over the phone with a legal adviser. They will ask you some simple questions to determine whether:

The defendant in your case owed you a legal duty of care.
They breached this duty through an act of negligence or wrongdoing.
You suffered an injury or injuries after falling down stairs due to their negligence.

If the defendant breached their duty of care towards you and your case has merit, you will be paired with a specialist solicitor who will help you make a no win, no fee personal injury claim.

It is worth remembering that you can also make a claim if you were partially at fault for your trip or fall. Examples include running, wearing inadequate footwear or ignoring warning signs. In this case, you may still be entitled to receive a reduced amount of compensation to reflect your part of the blame.

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What injuries could you suffer if you fall down the stairs?

A fall down the stairs accident could lead to multiple injuries, from mild sprains and bruising to severe head injuries with potentially lifelong symptoms. The most common injuries caused by falling down a flight of stairs include:

Broken bones. Falling down stairs can lead to fractures in the wrists, ankles, ribs or other bones as you try to brace yourself during the fall.
Cuts and lacerations. Sharp edges on steps or railings can cause deep cuts and lacerations, especially around the arms, face, and legs.
Sprains and strains. Sudden twisting during a fall can lead to painful sprains or strains in the ankles, knees, or wrists.
Back injuries. Hard impacts on the stairs can result in back injuries, such as herniated discs or fractured vertebrae, which may require long-term recovery.
Head injuries. Hitting your head on a step or handrail can cause concussions, traumatic brain injuries, or even skull fractures.
Dislocations. Bones in joints such as the hip, shoulder or elbow can shift out of their position due to the impact of the fall.
Shoulder injuries. Trying to brace against a fall can lead to shoulder injuries, such as rotator cuff tears or dislocations.
Neck injuries. An awkward landing or movement in a fall may lead to neck injuries, such as whiplash or strained neck muscles.
Internal injuries. A hard fall can result in damage to internal organs like the kidneys or lungs, with significant consequences.
Nerve injuries. Impact on some areas, such as around the spine, can cause nerve damage, leading to numbness or long-term pain.

You can claim compensation for injuries caused by falling down stairs if your accident was due to another party’s negligence.

Evidence needed to support a fall down stairs claim

If you want to claim compensation for falling down stairs, you need evidence to show how the accident occurred and how it has impacted your life. Your solicitor will help you gather everything you need, but you should take the following steps to improve your chances of success:

Take photographs of the accident scene and the hazards that contributed to it, such as poor lighting or missing handrails, before anything is repaired or replaced;
Take pictures of your injuries, the damage to your items and your recovery process;
If CCTV cameras captured the incident, ask for a copy of the footage as soon as possible;
Ask for the names and contact details of any witnesses to your accident so that your solicitor can contact them for a statement if the defendant denies liability;
Seek medical care as soon as possible so that your injuries are adequately diagnosed and treated, for example by attending your GP or using the NHS urgent and emergency care services. Your medical records will serve as essential proof in your claim for falling down stairs;
Report the accident to the responsible party and ask for a signed copy of the accident report form;
Write down everything you remember about the accident and how it has affected your daily life in as much detail as possible;
Keep records of all the financial losses and out-of-pocket expenses you incurred as a result.

Gathering as much evidence as possible will help your personal injury solicitor build a solid case and get you the compensation you deserve for falling down stairs.

Could I lose my job if I make a fall down stairs claim against my employer?

As mentioned above, your employer has a legal duty to keep you safe from injuries at work. If you have fallen down stairs at work, this could be due to a breach of their duties. If this is the case and negligence can be proven, you are legally entitled to make an accident at work claim. Examples include:

Poor lighting on or around a staircase;
A failure to repair cracked, loose, or uneven steps;
A broken, unstable, or missing handrail;
Tripping hazards such as tools or debris left near stairs;
Not putting warning signs in place for known hazards;
A failure to remove ice or snow near an outdoor staircase.

If you make a fall down stairs claim against your employer, they cannot sack you or discipline you for it, as unfair and constructive dismissal laws protect you. If they do so, you can potentially make a further claim at an employment tribunal.

Can I claim compensation if I was pushed down the stairs?

Yes, you may be able to claim compensation if you were intentionally pushed down the stairs or fell during an assault and suffered injuries. In this case, you could make a criminal injury claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).

The CICA is an executive agency of the Ministry of Justice that compensates blameless victims of assaults and other criminal acts. This scheme allocates 25 different tariffs for over 400 injuries, ranging from £1,000 to £250,000. No compensation will be awarded if your injury is valued at under £1,000.

To qualify for a CICA claim, you must have reported the incident to the police, have a crime reference number, and your injury must have happened within the last two years. An experienced solicitor can help you gather everything you need and get started with the CICA claims process.

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

If someone you love has fallen down the stairs and suffered injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you could make a personal injury on their behalf. To claim for them, you must first be appointed by the court as their litigation friend. Your lawyer will help you prepare all the necessary documents and proof that you can make fair and competent decisions about the case.

The litigation friend process can be used if the injured party is a child or an adult who cannot handle their case due to a brain injury, PTSD, intellectual disability or another condition. If you claim for your loved one, you must instruct solicitors, pay any fees requested by the court and make decisions about the case and any settlement offers from the defendant.

If you secure a compensation award, it must be approved by the court and will either be kept in a court bank account or a personal injury trust until the claimant turns 18 or regains their mental capacity.

Is there a time limit to claim compensation for falling down stairs?

Under the Limitation Act 1980, you can start your claim within three years after the accident date. Alternatively, the time could begin to run on the date your injuries were diagnosed if they did not become immediately apparent. There are a few exceptions:

You can make a child accident claim at any time before they turn 18. Afterwards, they have until their 21st birthday to start legal proceedings if no one claims for them.
If the claimant lacks mental capacity, the time limit is suspended permanently or until recovery, depending on the nature of their condition.
If you suffered a fall down the stairs because of a criminal act, you have two years to make a claim through the CICA.
You can also start a claim if you were injured abroad, but the time limit may be dictated by the foreign country’s laws and possibly shorter than three years.

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How much compensation can I claim for falling down stairs?

The amount of compensation awarded for a fall down the stairs varies from case to case, depending on several factors. The most important ones are the accident circumstances, the injuries sustained and their impact on your life. Your compensation payment will consist of two types of damages:

General Damages

General damages cover the physical and psychological injuries you suffered and their impact on your life. These could include pain, discomfort, mental anguish, loss of consortium and the ability to engage in activities and hobbies you used to enjoy.

General damages are calculated based on the guidelines from the Judicial College (18th Edition) and are determined by the type and severity of the injuries sustained. Below are a few examples of compensation figures for a fall down stairs:

Injury Type	Description	Compensation
Brain Damage	Brain damage causing severe physical and cognitive disability, full-time nursing care and significantly reduced life expectancy	£373,000 - £534,000
Hip And Pelvis Injuries	A significant hip or pelvis injury with minor permanent symptoms or disability	£35,000 - £52,000
Back Injuries	A moderate back injury causing constant pain, discomfort and substantial osteoarthritis risk	£37,000 - £51,000
Leg Injuries	A leg fracture or soft tissue injury causing some permanent issues, such as impaired mobility or a limp	£24,000 - £37,000
Ankle Injuries	An ankle fracture or ligament tear causing some permanent symptoms, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground	£18,000 - £35,000
Arm Injuries	A simple forearm fracture	£8,700 - £25,000
Damage To Teeth	Loss or serious damage to two front teeth	£5,800 - £10,000
Wrist Injuries	A minor wrist fracture or soft tissue damage recovering within a year	£4,700 - £6,300

Special Damages

Special damages compensate for financial losses accrued due to the accident, such as past and future loss of earnings, travel expenses to medical appointments and care costs during recovery. They are calculated based on documents like receipts and invoices.

Will my personal injury solicitor offer me a No Win No Fee service?

If you slipped and fell down the stairs and have a valid claim for compensation, your solicitor will offer you a no win no fee agreement. That means you do not have to pay them anything upfront or if your case fails.

You only pay your solicitor if your claim is successful. In this case, they will receive a success fee capped at 25% of the compensation for your pain, suffering and past financial losses.

Furthermore, you can also take out After the Event (ATE) insurance, which will cover all the litigation costs if you lose the case, so you will not be left out of pocket. These include court fees, expert witnesses, medical and police reports and the defendant’s legal representation.

If you’ve fallen down stairs and want to seek compensation for your injuries, contact our legal advisers today for a free case assessment. You can do this by calling 0800 470 0472 or request a call back.