If you've been injured due to a slip, trip or fall and somebody else was at fault, find out today if you can make a no win no fee compensation claim.
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Slips, Trips and Falls Claims
Slipping on a wet floor or tripping over a pavement defect can cause severe injuries, such as broken bones, head trauma and long-term mobility issues. If your accident happened because another party failed in their duty of care, you may be able to make a slip, trip and fall claim.
Slips, trips and falls can happen anywhere – on the street, at work, in a supermarket or even in your own rented home. Employers, business owners, landlords and local authorities all have a legal duty to maintain safe premises, and failure to do so could make them liable for compensation.
Call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back to speak with an experienced slip, trip and fall solicitor. They will offer a free consultation and a no win no fee service so that you can claim compensation with no upfront costs and no financial risk.
Key points about slip, trip and fall claims
- Eligibility: You may be eligible to claim if you slipped, tripped or fell in a public place or at work due to unsafe conditions.
- Duty of Care: Employers, councils and businesses must maintain clean, hazard-free walkways and flooring.
- Time Limit: Claims must usually begin within 3 years of the incident occurring, with exceptions for children and people lacking mental capacity.
- Compensation: Depends on the type and severity of your injury, and can cover financial losses and treatment costs.
- No Win, No Fee: Your solicitor will pursue your claim on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay a fee if your claim is successful.
Table of Contents
What is a slip, trip or fall claim?
A slip, trip and fall claim is a type of personal injury claim that can be made by someone who is injured due to a slip, trip or fall caused by someone else’s negligence. Common hazards include:
- Uneven flooring and pavement defects
- Clutter and obstacles left in walkways
- Trailing cables and loose mats or rugs
- Wet or slippery floors
- Unmarked changes in levels
- Poor lighting and housekeeping
No matter how careful you are, a slip and fall could happen anywhere, anytime, including in shops, restaurants, pubs, even museums, gyms and your own home.
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), slips, trips and falls on the same level are the leading cause of reported non-fatal workplace injuries. In 2024/25, they accounted for 30% of all non-fatal injuries to employees.
A slip, trip or fall claim may help you secure financial compensation after such an accident. This may reflect your pain and suffering, medical costs, and any other related financial losses.
Can I make a slip, trip or fall compensation claim?
If you were injured in a slip, trip or fall accident, you may be eligible to claim compensation. A specialist personal injury solicitor can assess your case during a free consultation, during which they will determine whether:
- A duty of care existed
- That duty was breached
- The defendant’s negligence caused your accident
- You suffered injuries and losses as a direct result
If these can be proven, and you are within the legal time limit, you may be able to make an accident compensation claim. You can seek compensation even if you were partially at fault (for example, by ignoring a warning sign), but your payment may be reduced to reflect your contributory negligence.
Who was at fault for your slip, trip or fall accident?
Liability depends on where the accident happened and typically lies with the person in control of the premises. Under UK health and safety law, employers and occupiers of premises have a legal duty to:
- Carry out regular risk assessments.
- Carry out routine inspections and maintenance.
- Fix hazards within a reasonable time.
- Signpost slip and trip hazards.
- Provide adequate lighting and housekeeping.
- Train staff to recognise and remove hazards.
When there is negligence in this duty of care, the party at fault could be a local council or authority, an employer, a landlord or a business.
If your employer failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe, you may be able to make an accident at work claim, whether you slipped or tripped on the same level or fell from a height, such as from a ladder or scaffolding. Examples of negligence include:
- Poor maintenance of surfaces
- Poor housekeeping and lighting
- Failure to provide adequate PPE
- Inadequate training and safety policies
- Ignoring manual handling risks
A claim against the council following a slip, trip or fall accident may arise from:
- Poor street lighting
- Raised or sunken paving slabs
- Potholes and broken kerbs
- Failure to grit public walkways
- Poorly maintained schools, parks or city halls
A successful claim against a business such as a restaurant, shop, cafe or supermarket can arise from:
- Spilt drinks or foods that did not get cleaned up promptly
- Wet, unmarked bathroom floors
- Poor lighting, especially in pubs and nightclubs
- Torn carpets
- Cracked or uneven pavements
- Missing handrails or broken stairs
- Obstructed walkways
Sometimes you could still get compensation even if there was a warning sign. Maybe it wasn’t fully visible, or a spillage was left on the ground for too long and spread beyond the warning area. Don’t ever assume that you can’t make a claim before speaking to a legal advisor.
This includes repairing structural defects, maintaining flooring and addressing hazards such as leaks or poor lighting. You can make a landlord negligence claim or a council housing claim if your accident was caused by:
- Broken stairs or handrails
- Damaged or uneven flooring
- Water leaks and spills
- Poor lighting or broken lights
- Cluttered walkways
Is there a time limit for slip, trip and fall claims?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, you typically have three years from the date of the accident or date of knowledge to make a compensation claim. There are a few exceptions to the limitation period:
- If you’re claiming for a child, you can do so until they turn 18. After this point, they will have until 21 to make a claim themselves.
- There are no time limits to claim on behalf of someone who is not mentally capable of doing it on their own.
- You can make a fatal accident claim within three years of the date of death or date of knowledge.
Nevertheless, it is recommended that you start your claim as soon as possible. This way, all the details are still fresh, and witnesses are more likely to help support your claim.
How do I make a slip, trip and fall claim for compensation?
There are a few steps you should follow if you want to make a personal injury compensation claim following a slip, trip and fall accident:
- Seek immediate medical attention – Even if your injuries seem minor, you should get them checked by your GP or attend A&E or a minor injuries unit.
- Report the accident – Inform your employer, the local council or the business owner, depending on where you were injured.
- Gather evidence – Take photos of hazards, ask for witness details and keep proof of financial losses.
- Seek legal advice – Get in touch with a specialist solicitor to assess your compensation prospects and get free legal advice.
- Letter of claim – If you are eligible, your solicitor will send a letter of claim to the defendant and wait for them to investigate your allegations (they have 4 months to do this).
- Negotiations – If liability is admitted, negotiate a fair settlement that reflects your pain, suffering and financial losses.
- Court proceedings – If you can’t negotiate, your solicitor will issue court proceedings and prepare to argue your case before a judge (this is very unlikely).
How much compensation for a slip, trip or fall injury?
The amount of compensation you may be entitled to claim will depend on several factors. These include the type and severity of your injuries, the impact these injuries have had on your day-to-day life and any financial losses you have suffered.
There are two types of damages included in your claim:
Special damages cover financial losses and expenses such as:
- Private treatment and rehabilitation
- Transportation costs
- Loss of income if you had to take time off work
- Loss of earning capacity
- Adaptations to your home or car after the accident
General damages cover pain, suffering and loss of amenity. They include:
- Physical pain and disability
- Emotional and psychological trauma
- Loss of prospects and quality of life
How much compensation you can receive for general damages is based on guidelines provided by the Judicial College, alongside other evidence. Feel free to use our online compensation calculator for an estimate of how much you could receive according to the 18th Edition of the Judicial College Guidelines.
| Injury Type | Description | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Brain Damage | Brain damage causing serious disability, substantial dependence on others and reduced life expectancy | £289,000 - £373,000 |
| Back Injuries | A severe back injury with spinal cord and nerve root damage, causing pain, disability and bladder, bowel and sexual impairment | £120,000 - £213,000 |
| Hip And Pelvis Injuries | A hip or pelvis fracture requiring surgery or hip replacement | £52,000 - £69,000 |
| Ankle Injuries | An ankle fracture or ligament tear causing some permanent symptoms, such as difficulty walking on uneven ground | £18,000 - £35,000 |
| Wrist Injuries | A wrist injury causing some permanent disability, such as ongoing pain and stiffness | £17,000 - £32,000 |
| Arm Injuries | A simple forearm fracture | £8,700 - £25,000 |
| Scarring To Other Parts Of The Body | One noticeable scar or several superficial scars on the legs, arms or hands | £3,100 - £10,000 |
What if your slip, trip or fall has resulted in multiple injuries? In that case, you may receive the upper bracket for the most severe injury and a reduced percentage of the value of your less significant injuries, depending on the circumstances.
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.
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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.
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Can I make my slip, trip or fall claim on a No Win No Fee basis?
Yes. If you are entitled to claim compensation for a slip, trip and fall, you may be able to proceed under a no win no fee agreement. You deserve access to legal representation without the added stress of spending a lot of money on a personal injury solicitor, without the certainty that you will win the case.
With a no win no fee solicitor, you can start your claim without paying any legal fees upfront or during the claims process. If your case is successful, your solicitor will charge you a success fee of up to 25% of your compensation award for past losses and general damages (future losses excluded). If your claim fails, you won’t have to pay your solicitor’s fee.
If you have been injured in the last three years due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a No Win No Fee claim. To confirm your eligibility, call 0800 470 0472 for a free consultation with a legal advisor.
What evidence do I need to claim for a slip or a trip injury?
To claim compensation for slips, trips and falls, you need evidence that clearly shows what happened, who was at fault, and the damages you sustained. This includes:
- Photos of the accident location and hazards: wet surfaces, spilt liquids, missing handrails, pavement defects, etc.
- Pictures of your injuries immediately after and during your healing process.
- A copy of the accident report filed with the liable party.
- Statements from witnesses who might be able to support your case.
- Inspection and maintenance records from those in charge of the area.
- Receipts, invoices, and other financial documents related to your losses and expenses.
- Medical records from your doctor or the hospital.
- A specialist medical report detailing the full impact on your life and future care needs.
- CCTV or dashcam footage of the incident, when available.
Sometimes, you may think there is insufficient evidence to make a personal injury claim, but a solicitor may succeed in assembling the proof you need.
Common injuries caused by slips, trips and falls
Slip, trip and fall accidents occur all the time, despite being preventable in most cases. They can cause a range of injuries, from minor cuts and bruises to severe brain and spinal cord injuries.
The most commonly reported injuries for which people claim slip and fall compensation include:
- Sprained ankles and wrists
- Cuts, bruises and lacerations
- Permanent scarring
- Soft tissue injuries
- Dislocated shoulders
- Knee injuries
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Back and spinal injuries
- Fatal injuries
The NHS provides guidance on what to do if you fall to help protect your health and safety and reduce the risk of making your injuries worse.
Can I make a slip, trip and fall claim on behalf of someone else?
If a loved one suffered an injury caused by a slip, trip or fall accident, you may be able to claim compensation on their behalf. This is possible by applying to the court to be named as their litigation friend. Once appointed, you could make:
- A child injury claim for someone under 18.
- A claim on behalf of someone who is mentally incapacitated because of a brain injury or a condition such as Down syndrome.
Some of the responsibilities of a litigation friend include talking to solicitors, acting in the claimant’s best interests and making critical decisions regarding the case.
If you suffered an injury as a result of a slip, trip or fall, contact us today for a free, no-obligation case assessment. Call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back, and you will find out within minutes if you have a valid claim.
