If you have suffered an injury due to a slip on ice or snow, you could be entitled to compensation. Contact us today to find out if you're eligible to make a claim.
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Compensation Claims for Slips on Icy Pavements
If you’ve slipped on ice and suffered an injury due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to make an icy pavement slip claim. Slips and trips on pavements are among the most common public place accidents, and in some cases, can result in serious long-term injuries. A compensation claim can cover any pain, suffering and financial losses related to your accident.
Local authorities and private businesses may owe a duty of care to ensure that areas accessible to the public are reasonably safe and well-maintained. During icy weather, this could include taking reasonable steps, such as gritting walkways, roads and pavements to reduce the risk of slips and falls.
Call 0800 470 0472 today or request a call back to find out within minutes if you can make a claim following a slip on ice or snow. A friendly legal adviser will offer you a free case assessment, with no obligation to proceed.
Key points about slip on ice claims
- Eligibility: You may be able to claim if you slipped on an untreated icy pavement and suffered an injury.
- Council Responsibility: Local authorities have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to assess and, where appropriate, grit or treat public walkways during icy conditions.
- Time Limit: You typically have 3 years from the date of the accident to start your claim.
- Compensation: Your claim may include damages for pain, suffering, lost income, and related expenses such as transport or physiotherapy.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will pursue the claim on a no win, no fee basis, which means you only pay if the case succeeds.
Table of Contents
Am I eligible to make a compensation claim for a slip on ice?
If you have slipped on ice in public, you could be entitled to make a personal injury claim, as long as you meet the following criteria:
- You were owed a legal duty of care.
- A third party breached this duty.
- You slipped on icy pavement and suffered an injury as a result.
- You are within the legal time limit to claim (usually 3 years).
Don’t worry if you are unsure about any of the above criteria. An experienced personal injury solicitor will be happy to assess your chances of making a successful compensation claim during a free consultation over the phone.
Who is liable for an ice pavement injury compensation claim?
Liability for accidents caused by icy roads or pavements depends on the party responsible for maintaining the area where the slip occurred. This could be:
Councils are responsible for gritting pavements during icy conditions, but they cannot be expected to grit every single road and pavement due to financial, labour and logistical restraints. This means councils cannot be held liable for all accidents caused by ice on pavements within their jurisdiction.
Local authorities prioritise certain areas based on pedestrian traffic and whether alternative routes are available. That said, you’re more likely to make a successful claim against the council if you had slipped on ice on a main high street or outside a school or hospital.
If the slip happened on a quiet residential street or on a freshly frozen pavement, the local council would have a stronger defence against any potential claim for compensation.
During icy or snowy conditions, they are expected to take reasonable steps to prevent slips and falls, such as:
- Clear snow and ice promptly from footpaths, entrances and car parks.
- Apply grit, salt or sand to make pavements less slippery.
- Use clear warning signs if a hazard cannot be immediately addressed.
Failure on their part to take reasonable precautions could lead to a public liability claim for slipping on ice.
How long do I have to make a claim for a fall on ice?
The Limitation Act 1980 imposes a general time limit of three years to bring a personal injury claim for falling on ice, starting from either:
- The date of your accident, or
- The date you became aware that you had suffered an injury from the accident, also known as the date of knowledge.
However, there can be some exceptions to the three-year limitation period. For example:
- Children – For children, the three-year limitation period does not begin until their 18th birthday. A child injury claim can be made on their behalf at any point before that.
- Mental capacity – The time limit to claim is suspended if the victim is an adult who lacks the mental capacity to conduct legal proceedings under the Mental Capacity Act 2005.
How much compensation could I claim for a slip on ice?
The amount of compensation you could receive for a fall on ice largely depends on the extent of your injuries and how they will affect your life in the long term. The compensation award will usually cover:
General damages, which refer to the amount of money you will be awarded to compensate for your pain, suffering and other subjective losses such as:
- Scarring and disfigurement.
- Mental anguish and emotional distress.
- Physical or mental impairment.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
Special damages, which include financial losses and expenses that can be mathematically calculated, such as:
- Short- and long-term medical treatment.
- Medical equipment, such as mobility aids.
- Past and future lost wages.
- Cost of rehabilitation and therapy.
Examples of personal injury compensation for slipping on ice
The Judicial College publishes guidelines for compensation awards for all types of personal injuries. Below are some examples according to the 18th Edition of these guidelines:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Arm Injuries | A simple forearm fracture | £8,700 - £25,000 |
| Wrist Injuries | A wrist injury causing some permanent disability, such as ongoing pain and stiffness | £17,000 - £32,000 |
| Brain Damage | Moderate brain damage likely to affect the senses, with some dependence on others | £57,000 - £289,000 |
| Hip And Pelvis Injuries | A hip or pelvis fracture requiring surgery or hip replacement | £52,000 - £69,000 |
| Ankle Injuries | A minor ankle fracture, sprain or ligament injury recovering fully or leaving only mild symptoms | Up to £18,000 |
| Foot Injuries | A serious foot injury causing ongoing pain or risk of future arthritis | £33,000 - £52,000 |
| Knee Injuries | A significant knee injury causing ongoing pain, restricted movement or instability | £35,000 - £57,000 |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder | PTSD with near-full recovery but some ongoing effects that are not grossly disabling | £11,000 - £31,000 |
You can use our compensation calculator or speak to a personal injury solicitor to get a better idea of how much you could receive for your fall on ice accident.
How do I claim for a slip and fall on ice?
If you suffered an injury because of an icy pavement slip, you should take the following steps to make a compensation claim:
- Seek medical attention immediately – This way, your injuries are diagnosed and treated, and medical records will support your claim.
- Gather evidence – Take pictures or videos of the hazardous pavement, your injuries and any damage caused. Ask for the contact details of witnesses and keep records of expenses.
- Report the incident – Notify the local council or property owner, and have the incident recorded in their accident report book for future reference.
- Seek legal advice – Get in touch with a specialist personal injury lawyer who can review your case and advise you on your legal options.
- Start your claim – Your solicitor will send a letter of claim to the defendant outlining your case.
- Negotiations – If liability is admitted, your solicitor will negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
- Court proceedings – If negotiations fail, your solicitor will take the claim to court, but this rarely happens.
Can a slip on ice claim be made using no win no fee?
If you are entitled to compensation for your injuries, the solicitors we partner with will be happy to offer you a no win no fee agreement*. This is the preferred way of funding a claim because it offers a series of unique advantages, such as:
- You can take legal action regardless of your financial situation.
- You do not pay an upfront fee to your solicitor.
- You get help and advice at every step of the injury claims process.
- You do not pay your solicitor’s fee if your claim fails.
- If you win, you pay a success fee of up to 25% of the compensation you receive for your injuries and past financial losses to your solicitor.
Can I claim for a slip on ice or snow at work?
Yes, you can potentially make a workplace accident claim if you fell on ice at work due to your employer’s negligence.
According to the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and other relevant legislation, your employer has a legal duty to take all reasonable measures to protect you from falling on ice or snow, such as:
- Identify and grit the routes most used by employees.
- Place warning signs where there is a risk of slipping on ice.
- Provide adequate training for working in icy conditions.
- Provide adequate personal protective equipment (PPE), such as slip-resistant footwear.
If your employer failed to take these or other reasonable measures to prevent a slip accident at work, you may be able to make a claim for compensation.
Can I make a claim on behalf of my child?
Yes, a parent or other suitable adult can claim on behalf of a child who suffered an injury due to a slip on ice. The first step is to be appointed as their litigation friend by the court. Once appointed, you will be able to make decisions on their behalf and can begin the personal injury claims process.
A judge must approve the compensation awarded to a child. The money will usually be kept in a court-managed account and released to the child when they turn 18.
If you feel you are eligible to claim compensation for an icy pavement slip, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back to receive a free consultation with a legal adviser.
