Accident in a public place claims and accident on private premises claims

If you have had an accident in a public place or on private premises you may be entitled to claim compensation. We have a long history of acting for clients injured when in public places such as supermarkets and other shops, cinemas, parks or walking on footpaths or roads.

Contact one of our specialist personal injury solicitors for a free initial consultation to find out if we can investigate your case with the financial security of a “no win no fee” agreement.

When can you make a compensation claim for an accident in a public place?

We have a long history of bringing claims on behalf of clients who have been injured in a public place or on private premises. The size and experience of our team of personal injury lawyers means it is likely that we have already succeeded in recovering compensation in an accident similar to yours.

Accidents will frequently involve people slipping or tripping. These are often known as slips, trips and falls. There are occasions when it is possible to bring a claim when a trespasser has been injured.

Some of the common places where accidents occur include:

• Restaurants and fast food outlets
• Shopping centres, supermarkets and other shops
• Pavements, roads, footpaths and steps – these cases do not just include slipping and tripping accidents, but also injuries resulting
• from items dropped from scaffolding
• Automatic doors, lifts and stairs
• Entertainments complexes, such as cinemas and bowling alleys
• Leisure centres, sports clubs and stadia
• Schools, colleges, universities and other education facilities.

The law governing accidents in places that are open to the public is complex and can vary depending on the organisation that has control of the area.

Local authorities, for example, have specific legal duties for maintaining and repairing pavements and keeping roads free of snow and ice. Compensation claims are often brought against the Highways Authority.

Supermarkets’ duties include keeping their floors clear of hazards. These compensation claims come under occupiers’ liability.

What can you claim compensation following an accident in a public place?

You may be entitled to recover compensation for:

• “General damages” for the pain, suffering and loss of amenity you have suffered as a result of the accident
• All past and future financial losses you have incurred as a result of the accident.

Financial losses may include:

• Loss of earnings
• Cost of paying carers
• Cost of paying either professionals or other family members for assistance with domestic chores such as shopping, cleaning, cooking, etc.
• Loss of DIY and gardening ability
• Adaptations to the home
• Medical or rehabilitation expenses
• Travel expenses
• Pension losses.

How do I make a claim following an accident in a public place?

To help us build a case, notify whoever is responsible for the accident site about the accident as soon as possible. This will include, for example, the local authority if you have tripped on a pavement or, say, the manager or customer services if you have slipped in a supermarket. Write a clear description of the incident and try to obtain the names and contact details of witnesses. Take photos or sketches of the area. If photographing a defect, use a tape measure, ruler or even a 10p coin for scale to demonstrate the extent of the defect. If you have not been able to follow these steps, do not worry, you may still be able to make a claim.

Our personal injury solicitors will provide a free initial consultation, advising you on whether you have a claim and the best way to proceed. It may be necessary to gather evidence at the very outset, including taking statements from witnesses. We will contact those responsible for your accident to seek admission of liability and to secure interim compensation payments to help with your immediate financial needs and to fund medical treatment and rehabilitation. Where liability is denied, we will advise you on the defendant’s case.

Our personal injury lawyers will gather evidence to help us to prove liability, the injuries you have suffered and the past and future financial losses you have incurred. We will liaise with the defendant’s representatives throughout and, when we are able to value your claim, negotiate with the defendant to avoid court if possible. If court proceedings are necessary, we will deal with all court deadlines and guide you through the process to ensure that you feel comfortable and are able to get on with your life whilst the litigation continues.

How our personal injury lawyers can help you make an accident in a public place compensation claim

Our personal injury solicitors are here to help you every step of the way. We work in a supportive, considered and clear manner to ensure you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life. If possible, we will help you to access the right rehabilitation, medical care and support to maximise your recovery.

The breadth of experience in our personal injury team means it is likely that we have already recovered compensation in a case similar to yours. Our experience of dealing with slip, trip and falls cases, resulting from accidents in public premises and private premises, is extensive.

We will give you clear advice on whether you have a claim for compensation at the outset and support you through each step of the process.

One of our specialist personal injury lawyers will handle your compensation claim and that lawyer will be involved in your case from start to finish. You will have your personal injury lawyer’s direct dial telephone number and email address so you will be able to contact your lawyer without difficulty.

Members of our personal injury team specialise in lower value personal injury claims for accidents in a public place which need to be pursued through a specialist online claims portal. This applies to claims arising out of accidents in a public place which are valued at £25,000 or less.

• Our overriding aim is to protect your interests and achieve the most advantageous outcome for the long term
• We will make sure your case is fully investigated
• We will focus on your individual requirements. Giving a personal service and acting with sensitivity are important to us
• We will create a team of specialist independent medical experts and a barrister with expertise in dealing with cases similar to your case
• We will make things as easy as possible and guide you through each stage of the process
• We can help you find out why your accident occurred and ensure that the same thing does not happen to somebody else.

Free initial consultation

Contact our team of specialist personal injury lawyers for a free, no obligation, consultation and we will listen to the circumstances of your accident before giving you clear advice on the chance of you recovering compensation. If we think you have a personal injury claim, we can offer you a “no win no fee” agreement to fund your case, giving you the financial security that you will not be “out of pocket” if the case is ultimately unsuccessful.

Call us or fill in our short enquiry form and we will assess your potential claim.

Have you been injured and think someone else was to blame? Our team of expert personal injury solicitors in Kent can help you claim the compensation you deserve. Contact us today for a free initial consultation to see if we can investigate your case with the financial security of a “no win no fee” agreement.

Our personal injury lawyers are here to help you every step of the way. We work in a supportive, considered and clear manner to ensure you get the compensation you need to rebuild your life. If possible, we will help you to access rehabilitation, medical care and support to maximise your recovery.

Our personal injury lawyers have dealt with thousands of personal injury cases, covering all areas of personal injury law, with many cases worth millions of pounds. With a wealth of experience, our team of personal injury lawyers has most likely already dealt with a case similar to yours. We have outstanding knowledge in this field and can offer clear, pragmatic advice.

We are frequently instructed in cases involving:

• Traumatic brain injuries of varying severity
• Serious orthopaedic and spinal injuries
• Functional neurological disorders (“FND”)
• Audio-vestibular injury
• Injuries affecting the senses, most commonly eye injuries
• Injuries to internal organs
• Burns and scarring
• Psychiatric injuries including post-traumatic stress disorder
• Chronic pain
• Mesothelioma, asbestosis and/or pleural thickening resulting from asbestos exposure.

One of our specialist personal injury solicitors will handle your compensation claim and that lawyer will be involved in your case from start to finish. You will have your personal injury lawyer’s direct dial telephone number and email address so you will be able to contact your lawyer without difficulty.

Our personal injury compensation solicitors are available for face-to-face meetings at our accessible office in Tunbridge Wells, and by phone. For more information and to see if you have a personal injury claim worth pursuing, call us or fill in our short enquiry form and we will assess your claim.

For more information and to see if you have a personal injury claim worth pursuing, call us or fill in our short enquiry form and we will assess your claim.