When you visit a shop, walk on a pavement, or go to the gym, you have a right to be safe. Owners and councils have a legal duty to prevent accidents. If they fail—by leaving a floor wet or ignoring a pothole—you can claim for your injury.

Types of Public Liability Claims

Shops & Supermarkets

Slips on wet floors (spilled liquids) or trips over boxes/pallets left in aisles.

Pavements & Roads

Trips on raised flagstones or potholes (Council claims) that are over 1 inch deep.

Gyms & Leisure

Faulty equipment or lack of instruction causing injury during exercise.

Schools & Colleges

Claims for children injured due to unsafe playgrounds or lack of supervision.

The Occupiers' Liability Act 1957

This is the law that protects you. It states that whoever owns or controls a premises must take "reasonable steps" to ensure visitors are safe. If they failed (e.g. no wet floor sign), they are negligent.

Specific Public Place Injuries

We have expert guides for these specific types of public claims:

Dog Bite Claims Food Poisoning Gym Accidents Holiday Accidents Potholes & Pavements School Injuries Slips, Trips & Falls Supermarket Accidents

Evidence is Key

Public liability claims rely heavily on proof. To win, we usually need:

  • Photos: Pictures of the defect (pothole/spill) showing measurements if possible.
  • Witnesses: Contact details of anyone who saw the fall.
  • Report: Confirmation that you reported the accident to the staff or council immediately.
  • Medical: Records from your GP or A&E visit.

Compensation Estimates (2025)

These figures are for the injury itself. We also claim for damaged clothing, glasses, and lost earnings.

Injury SeverityEstimated Range
Fractured Wrist (Colles)£7,500 - £11,500
Broken Ankle (Recovery within 1 yr)£6,000 - £12,000
Soft Tissue Back Injury£2,300 - £8,000
Minor Head Injury (Concussion)£2,200 - £12,500

Frequently Asked Questions

I fell on a pavement. How deep must the hole be?

Generally, courts require a defect to be at least 1 inch (2.5cm) deep to be considered dangerous. Anything less is often considered a "trivial defect," though there are exceptions.

Will I be suing the shop staff personally?

No. You claim against the company's Public Liability Insurance. The money does not come from the individual staff member or the shop manager's pocket.

What if there were no witnesses?

It makes it harder, but not impossible. We can request CCTV footage from the business. However, CCTV is often deleted after 30 days, so you must contact us quickly to secure it.