What is a public liability claim?

A public liability claim is a legal process whereby a person can claim compensation for injuries resulting from an accident in a public place or property open to the public such as a supermarket or entertainment venue. For example, you can bring a personal injury claim against the occupier/owner of the premises, as they should have a public liability insurance policy who will deal with the claim against them.

Types of public liability accidents

At Slater and Gordon, we have helped clients secure compensation for a range of accidents in public places. The most common types of public liability claims involve slips, trips or falls. There are many types of accidents in public places you can claim for including:

• Supermarket injuries: Slips and trips at the supermarket are common as are accidents in the car park at these venues.
• Claims against the council: If you have been injured by dangerous pavements or potholes in the road which have not been repaired and maintained, you may be able to claim compensation for your injuries from the relevant Highway Authority with statutory responsibility for repairing and maintaining.
• Slips, trips and falls: These are some of the most common accidents that happen in public places and can occur on the highway for which the Highway Authority may be liable or in privately owned public places such as arcades, pubs, car parks, bowling alleys, restaurants, etc.
• Sports injuries: If you have been injured as a spectator or participant, we can help.
• Animal injuries: An animal has the potential to cause a serious harm and you may be able to claim compensation for any injuries caused. This could include escaping animals such as farm animals causing accidents on the road, dog bites, or animals knocking people over and causing injury.

How do you make a public liability claim?

When making a public liability claim, we must be able to prove that the accident and injuries were caused by either breach of statutory duty or negligence. In simple terms we need to show the accident could have been avoided and it was somebody else’s fault. To help strengthen your public liability claim, here is what you should do in the event of an accident in a public place:

• If you need to, seek medical attention.
• Try and take photographs of your injury, the cause of the accident, and the area where the accident occurred as soon as possible.
• If you are in a building, immediately report the accident to staff and have them make a note of your accident in the accident book if possible.
• Take names and addresses of witnesses to the accident.
• If you are in the open, such as in a private car park, try to note any address details on signs to help your solicitor when you start your claim, as well as whether there are any CCTV cameras around.

Your solicitor will be able to advise you on everything they need to start your public liability claim.

Why choose our Public Liability solicitors?

It is essential to have a reliable and skilled solicitor by your side when choosing to start a public liability claim. Our experts have achieved impressive rankings from esteemed independent legal guides such as Chambers and Partners and The Legal 500. In addition to winning several awards at the national Personal Injury Awards, our solicitors are also accredited by both the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) and The Law Society's Lexcel program, which highlights our commitment to the highest standards of professionalism, ensuring that our clients benefit from our extensive expertise.

Our experts work closely with in-house medical professionals who can assess your injuries and determine the necessary future care and rehabilitation. This collaborative approach enhances our ability to negotiate fair compensation on your behalf. Within our team, we have an in-house rehabilitation coordinator, ensuring you receive optimal support at the outset of your recovery.

Your long-term recovery is our priority, and we have established partnerships with several charities that help individuals who have experienced serious injuries. These charity partnerships enable us to guide you towards the right resources for any ongoing help and support you and your family may need.