If you have been injured from tripping on a pavement, we can help you make a pavement accident claim on a no win, no fee basis.
We are a trusted claims management company helping people make personal injury claims for over 15 years.
Pavement Accident Claims
If you’ve tripped on a damaged or uneven pavement and suffered an injury, you could be eligible to make a pavement accident claim against the council. This includes accidents caused by raised paving slabs, potholes, or other pavement defects.
Slips, trips and falls on pavements are among the most common accidents in the UK. Even with regular inspections, councils do not always repair hazards quickly enough, which can lead to avoidable injuries.
To speak to a legal advisor, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back. You’ll receive a free consultation with no obligation to proceed.
Key points about pavement accident claims
- Eligibility: You may be entitled to claim if you suffered an injury after tripping on a poorly maintained pavement.
- Defect Size: The pavement defect that caused your injury must usually be at least 1 inch (2.5cm) tall or deep to make a successful claim.
- Council Responsibility: Local authorities must regularly inspect pavements and fix dangerous hazards in a reasonable timeframe.
- Time Limit: You generally have 3 years from the accident to make a personal injury claim, with some exceptions.
- Compensation: This depends on the severity of your injury and any related losses, such as lost earnings or treatment costs.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will handle your claim on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you only pay if the claim succeeds.
Table of Contents
Am I eligible to make a pavement accident compensation claim?
Yes, but not every accident will automatically entitle you to make a claim against the council. To have a valid claim, you must be able to prove that:
- The council breached their duty of care, which caused your pavement accident.
- You suffered an injury or injuries because of the accident.
- You are within the legal time limit for starting a claim (usually 3 years).
For pavement accident claims, you will also need to show that the pothole or pavement defect was of a size that made it dangerous, often around 25mm (or 1 inch).
Check if you have a valid pavement accident claim
If you’ve tripped or fallen on an uneven pavement, use our claim assessment form to find out if you can make a no win no fee pavement accident compensation claim.
Unfortunately, we can only help if you have suffered an injury in an accident that wasn't your fault. If you have made a mistake, please click below to start again.
Based on your answers, we're not sure if we can help. However, if you enter your details below, we'll give you a call back to discuss your accident. It's completely free, with no obligation.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners.
Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
Based on your answers, we're not sure if we can help. However, if you enter your details below, we'll give you a call back to discuss your accident. It's completely free, with no obligation.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners.
Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
Based on your answers, we're not sure if we can help. However, if you enter your details below, we'll give you a call back to discuss your accident. It's completely free, with no obligation.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners.
Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
Based on your answers, we're not sure if we can help. However, if you enter your details below, we'll give you a call back to discuss your accident. It's completely free, with no obligation.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners.
Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
Based on your answers, it looks like you may have a valid claim. Enter your details below and we’ll call you back to discuss your options. It’s completely free, with no obligation.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners.
Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy.
Is the council responsible for maintaining pavements?
Yes, under the Highways Act 1980, local authorities are responsible for maintaining all public roads, pavements and walkways within their boundaries. Their duties include:
- Keep pavements in a reasonable state of repair.
- Have a system in place to regularly inspect roads, pavements and footpaths.
- Inspect pavements in town centres or outside schools and hospitals more often than quieter streets.
- Repair any defects within a reasonable timeframe.
- If an immediate repair isn’t possible, make the area safe by putting up warning signs or closing the path.
If the council knew about a pavement hazard and failed to repair it in time, or ought to have known about it through a reasonable inspection system, and you were injured as a result, your compensation claim is more likely to succeed.
How long do I have to make a pavement accident claim?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you usually have three years to start a pavement trip claim from the date of the accident. This may differ in some circumstances. For example:
- A child personal injury claim can be made by a parent or legal guardian at any time before the child turns 18.
- There is no time limit to make a pavement accident claim on behalf of someone who is mentally incapacitated.
- You have three years to make a fatal accident claim if a loved one passed away, starting from the date of death.
How do I make a pavement injury claim?
Claiming compensation if you’ve been injured in a pavement accident involves a few simple steps:
- Seek medical care and gather as much evidence as possible related to what happened.
- Report the accident to your local council or other responsible party.
- Contact a specialist solicitor to verify your eligibility and guide you through the claims process.
- Submit a letter of claim to the defendant outlining your case and the compensation sought.
- Negotiate a settlement if liability is admitted, or issue court proceedings if it is denied.
- Receive your compensation award if your claim is successful.
How much compensation can I claim for a trip and fall on a pavement?
How much compensation you could claim for tripping on a pavement will depend on two types of damages:
- General damages cover the pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment you’ve experienced and depend on the severity of your injuries.
- Special damages compensate you for any financial losses caused by the accident, such as lost wages and private medical treatments.
Below are some compensation examples from the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines, which is used by solicitors and courts for the assessment of general damages in personal injury claims:
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Wrist Injuries | A wrist injury causing some permanent disability, such as ongoing pain and stiffness | £17,000 - £32,000 |
| Fractured Nose | A simple undisplaced nose fracture with complete recovery | £2,300 - £3,300 |
| Foot Injuries | A foot injury with complete recovery or only minor ongoing symptoms | Up to £18,000 |
| Back Injuries | A moderate back injury causing constant pain, discomfort and substantial osteoarthritis risk | £37,000 - £51,000 |
| Neck Injuries | A minor neck injury recovering fully within 3-12 months | £3,200 - £5,800 |
| Shoulder Injuries | A minor shoulder injury recovering fully within 1-2 years | £5,800 - £10,000 |
Compensation Calculator
Use our simple compensation calculator to find out how much compensation you could be entitled to. It only takes a couple of minutes.
Calculate NowWhat type of injury or illness did you sustain?
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Did you have to take time off work?
If you had to take time off work because of your injuries, you can include any lost earnings, overtime, bonuses and commission payments in your claim.
If you are still off work, you can also include any future lost earnings you anticipate.
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If you have incurred any other financial expenses, such as travel costs or medical expenses, you can add these below.
Your claim could be worth:
Want to find out more?
Simply enter your details into the form below and a friendly legal adviser will give you a call to discuss your claim. The solicitors we work with provide a No Win No Fee service, so there are no upfront costs and no financial risk.
By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy
Can pavement accident claims be made on a no win no fee basis?
Yes, if you have a valid claim for tripping on a pavement, your personal injury solicitor will offer you a no win no fee service. This means you can start a pavement accident claim without any upfront costs and without putting yourself under any financial risk.
You only pay your solicitor a fee if your claim is successful. This is called a success fee and is capped at 25% of certain parts of the compensation amount awarded.
What evidence will I need to support my pavement injury compensation claim?
It is important to record as much evidence as possible to start your claim, such as:
- Clear photographs of the hazard, taken from different angles and using an everyday object to show the size of the defect.
- Statements from any witnesses who saw how the accident happened or how it has affected you.
- Medical records and specialist reports detailing your injuries, prognosis and care needs.
- Copies of correspondence or accident reports made with the defendant. You can report a pavement defect here – https://www.gov.uk/report-problem-pavement
- Financial evidence, such as receipts and invoices, showing any costs or losses linked to your injury.
Below are some examples of photos that could be used to show a damaged pavement:
Frequently asked questions
- Uneven, missing or damaged kerbs.
- Tree roots that have protruded through the pavement.
- Raised, loosened or uneven paving slabs.
- Damaged or missing drain covers.
- Potholes and broken pavements.
- Inadequate street lighting.
- Sprains and strains. Twisting the ankle, knee or wrist during a fall can damage muscles, ligaments or tendons.
- Laceration injuries. Falling on sharp edges or debris, such as broken glass, can cause deep cuts that may need stitches.
- Bone fractures. Falls often lead to broken wrists, arms, ankles or hips that may need long-term recovery.
- Head injuries. If you hit your head on the pavement, you may suffer a concussion, skull fracture or traumatic brain injury.
- Back injuries. Falls can result in back injuries such as pulled muscles, herniated discs or fractured vertebrae.
- A child under 18 who was injured in a pavement accident.
- An adult who lacks mental capacity and cannot make their own legal decisions.
You can also make a fatal accident claim if a loved one passed away due to someone else’s negligence. You may be able to claim for funeral expenses, loss of income and other related costs.
- Carry out regular inspections to identify hazards.
- Repair defects within a reasonable timeframe.
- Place signs or barriers to warn of dangers that cannot be immediately repaired.
- Take extra care to protect vulnerable road users.
For example, if your claim is valued at £40,000 and you are found to be 25% responsible, such as by ignoring a warning sign, you would receive £30,000.
- They have a reasonable inspection and maintenance system in place.
- They have carried out these inspections on a regular basis.
- The defect was too minor to be dangerous, or it developed recently.
You are also entitled to claim compensation for lost earnings if you are self-employed. In this case, your solicitor will calculate your losses based on evidence such as invoices and tax returns.
If there weren’t any witnesses or if you failed to collect their contact details, you can still make a successful claim, provided there is enough supporting evidence.
Photos of the defect, CCTV footage, medical records, and other evidence can help to build a successful claim against the party at fault for the damaged pavement.
However, you may need to go to court if the defendant denies liability for the accident, you cannot agree on how much compensation your claim is worth, or the circumstances of the accident are particularly complex.
If you were injured in a pavement accident that wasn’t your fault, do not hesitate to call 0800 470 0472 or use our online claim form to speak to a friendly solicitor. They will let you know whether you are able to claim compensation and answer any questions you have.
