Slips, Trips and Falls Claims

Slips usually occur when your shoe or foot loses contact with the floor, perhaps due to a wet or greasy surface, or a loose rug or mat.

A trip may be the result of your foot catching an object you weren’t aware was there, such as loose cables or an uneven floor, causing you to lose your balance and possibly fall.

Slips, trips and falls can cause a range of injuries – from cuts and bruises to musculoskeletal injuries, concussion and even brain and spinal cord injuries.

People usually slip and fall at work or in public places because something is adversely affecting the floor surface, such as cleaning substances, ice, food or liquid, as well as loose floor coverings.

The causes of trip accidents can range from stray objects that have been left lying around, to uneven floor surfaces, potholes, cables and steps. Poor lighting can exacerbate the risk of a slip, trip or fall. While falls are less common than slips or trips, according to the NHS falls remain the biggest cause of injury-related deaths in those aged over 75 years. In 2016, the Health and Safety Executive attributed more than a quarter of all UK worker fatalities to falls from a height, with at least 37,000 more workers non-fatally injured in such incidents. Other contributors to fall injuries could include slippery floors; loose floor coverings; losing footing while on a stairway; reaching for something; poor health and safety measures at work; defective equipment; or simply rushing to get somewhere.  

If you are at least 18 years old and were injured in a slip, trip or fall in the last three years that you believe was due to someone else’s fault, then you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injury.

Examples of situations in which you may be able to make a personal injury compensation claim for a slip, trip or fall include slipping on a wet floor in the supermarket. You may also be eligible for compensation if you tripped on a badly maintained footpath or road surface owned by the local authority, or injured yourself after tripping on loose cables at your place of work.

For professional advice on whether you could have a valid slip, trip or fall compensation claim, contact our friendly personal injury solicitors.

If you have been injured in a slip, trip or fall at work or elsewhere, then contact Thompsons Solicitors’ personal injury experts, immediately for professional advice on what you should do next. There are strict time limits for personal injury compensation claims, including for slips, trips and falls in the workplace, so it is always advisable to seek the advice of a specialist accident at work claim lawyer as soon as possible.

It will help your case if you immediately report the accident to those responsible for the site at which the accident occurred – in this case, your workplace. Log it in the accident book, if there is one, get the contact details of any witnesses, and take photographs of the area where you slipped, tripped or fell. You should also notify your workplace health and safety representative and your trade union, if you are a member. Receipts of any travel or prescription costs are also helpful if you intend to seek reimbursement for injury-related expenses.

If you or a family member has been injured in a slip, trip or fall within the last three years then call Thompsons Solicitors’ personal injury compensation lawyers as soon as possible for advice about making a claim. 

Our legal experts have successfully secured personal injury compensation for thousands of people injured in a slip, a trip or a fall.

We can advise you on the validity of your personal injury compensation claim, talk you through the process of making a claim, and answer any additional questions you may have. To get in touch, fill in our online compensation claim form, or call us on 0800 0 224 224.

Yes. As with all personal injury compensation claims, there’s a strict three-year deadline, from the date of the injury, to commence with a slip, trip or fall accident compensation claim. There are some very limited exceptions to this rule, but based on our extensive experience Thompsons Solicitors would always advise anyone considering making a personal injury compensation claim to contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. The process is not always straightforward, so the sooner your solicitor can start reviewing your case, the better.

Making a slip, trip or fall compensation claim should never leave you out of pocket or with financial concerns.

Trade union members can access free legal advice and representation on behalf of Thompsons Solicitors through their union. Thompsons Solicitors has successfully secured personal injury compensation for thousands of union members and their families over the years and can do the same for you.

If you’re not a union member, there are other payment options available, including a conditional fee agreement. More commonly referred to as ‘no win, no fee’ arrangements, they protect you from incurring any solicitor fees if your case is unsuccessful. Visit our fees and payment page for more details.

No. The personal injury claim settlement process will take into consideration the severity of the injury, its impact on the injured person’s lifestyle and any economic impact it has had or could have in the future, among other things. After reviewing your case, our experienced personal injury solicitors will be able to give you an indication of the amount you may be entitled to.