Injuries from slips, trips, and falls in public places — supermarkets, restaurants, pavements, car parks, shopping centres — are extremely common and can range from bruising and sprains to broken bones and head injuries. Whether you can claim compensation depends on whether the occupier or local authority failed in their duty to keep the premises or public land reasonably safe.
The legal framework: Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957
The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 imposes a duty of care on those who control premises — whether they own them or not — to take reasonable steps to ensure visitors are reasonably safe. This applies to shops, restaurants, gyms, leisure centres, hotels, offices, and any other premises to which the public is invited. The duty is not absolute — it is a duty to take reasonable precautions, not to guarantee safety.
Slipping on wet floors
Wet floor claims are among the most common public liability cases. To succeed, you must show the occupier knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to address it in a reasonable time. A wet floor sign alone does not automatically defeat a claim — the sign must be placed before the floor becomes wet, and the premises must have adequate cleaning and inspection regimes.
Tripping on uneven pavements
Claims against local authorities for tripping on defective pavements are governed by the Highways Act 1980. The local authority has a duty to maintain highways, but also has a defence if it can show it had a reasonable system of inspection and repair. The height of a defect — typically 25mm or more — is relevant to whether it is considered dangerous, though this is not a fixed rule and all circumstances are considered.
What evidence do you need?
Take photographs of the hazard immediately, before it is repaired. Report the accident to the manager or authority and ask for a written record. Get witness details. See a doctor as soon as possible. Keep all receipts for expenses caused by your injury. The stronger your evidence that the hazard existed, was known, and was not addressed, the stronger your claim.
What if CCTV footage exists?
CCTV footage can be critical evidence in slip and trip claims — showing the condition of the floor before your accident, how long a hazard was present, and whether inspections were carried out. Your solicitor can write immediately to the occupier requiring them to preserve any footage. CCTV is typically overwritten within 28–31 days, so acting quickly is essential.
If you have been injured in a slip, trip, or fall in a public place, speak to a personal injury solicitor. Most offer free initial advice and work on no win, no fee.