No one expects to be injured when they are out in public. Yet accidents in public places or venues happen often and can negatively impact your life. If you have had an accident in a public place, our legal experts can support you in making a public injury claim.
A public injury claim is a legal process whereby a person can claim compensation for injuries resulting from an accident in a public place or a property open to the public such as a supermarket or entertainment venue.
The legal occupier of the premises has a legal duty to take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. This requires occupiers to maintain the property and reduce the risk of hazards that could cause harm. If an occupier fails to meet this duty and you suffer an injury as a result, you may be able to bring a claim for compensation. Most occupiers of property or land open to the public, such as business owners, will have a policy of public liability insurance which can be used to cover your public injury compensation.
Suffering an injury in public can be a very distressing experience, and it can leave you feeling uncertain about where to turn for support. Our award-winning public injury lawyers have helped thousands secure the justice and compensation they deserve after an injury in a public place.
What are the different types of public liability accidents?
Our public injury lawyers 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 repairs and maintenance.
Slips, trips and falls: These are some of the most common accidents that happen in public places. Slips, trips and falls can occur in privately owned places open to the public, such as arcades, pubs, car parks, bowling alleys, restaurants, as well as places for which the local authority is responsible.
Sports injuries: If you have been injured as a spectator or participant, our public injury solicitors 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.
Who are public liability claims made against?
A public injury claim is usually made against the organisation, company, landowner or public authority responsible for the area in which your accident took place. This might include a supermarket, restaurant, local council, leisure centre, shopping centre, private landowner or event organiser.
These claims aren’t typically brought against an individual worker or member of staff. Instead, they are pursued against the occupier or business that controlled the space at the time of the accident. Usually, the claim is then dealt with by their public liability insurer, not by the business personally. This means that the compensation you receive is paid by the insurer, ensuring the process is both fair and practical.
When you start your claim, your public injury solicitor will go through the details of your cases to identify the correct party to bring the claim against. They will handle all communication with insurers, keeping you informed at every stage and allowing you to focus on your recovery.
How much compensation can I get for a public place accident?
The amount of injury in public place compensation you could receive depends on the type of injury, how serious it is, and the impact it has had and may continue to have on your daily life. No two people experience an injury in the same way, so compensation is calculated on an individual basis.
Your public injury solicitor will assess the full impact of your injury and gather evidence to support the valuation of your claim. This might include medical records, specialist medical assessments, receipts for expenses, and information about how the injury has affected your work and personal life.
Compensation is usually made up of two parts, known as general damages and special damages.
General damages refers to any physical or mental injuries caused by the accident. The amount that you will receive will be determined by the severity of your injuries, and by how quickly you are likely to recover from those injuries. If you aren’t expected to make a full recovery, the lasting effects of your injury will also be considered. Medical expert evidence is used to support this claim.
Special damages refers to any other expenses or losses that you may incur because of your injuries. For example, it can include the loss of any wages if you have been unable to work, any physiotherapy or other treatments you may need to pay for, any required adaptations to your home, or any travel costs (if, for instance, you’ve been unable to drive). This part of your compensation will also include any future losses you are likely to suffer, including future loss of earnings and care costs.
Because every case is different, it is not possible to give an exact figure without reviewing the evidence. However, when you reach out to us, our leading public injury lawyers can provide an initial estimate of how much your claim may be worth, once we understand the circumstances of your accident and the severity of your injury.
To start your public injury claim, call us on 0330 041 5869 or get in touch online to speak to a member of the team, who will discuss the details of your case with you
We’ll assess your case and, if we think you have a claim, we’ll talk you through the process and your funding options.
To support your claim, we’ll help you gather all the relevant evidence, including obtaining copies of your medical records (with your permission).
Once we’ve collected all the initial information we need, we’ll submit a Letter of Claim to the responsible party. Your solicitor will keep you up to date with your claims progress and will handle all negotiations, working hard to secure the best possible result.
We will arrange for you to have a medical examination with an independent expert who specialises in providing medical evidence in cases such as this.
As part of your claim, our experts will advocate for you to have access to the best quality treatment, rehabilitation and support to maximise the chances of you achieving a full recovery and future independence. This includes support from our in-house rehabilitation coordinator and relationship manager.
In most cases, negotiations will lead to the successful conclusion of a claim. However, there are occasions when a settlement cannot be reached, and the matter must go to court to be decided on by a judge.
What should I do if I’ve been injured in public?
When claiming compensation for injury in a public place, we must be able to prove that you were owed a duty of care, a breach of this duty occurred, and that this breach caused the accident and your injury. In simple terms, we need to show that the injury you suffered could have been prevented if the business or property owner had taken reasonable precautions to keep you safe.
To help strengthen your public liability injury claim, here is what you should do in the event of an accident in a public place:
If you are injured, or think you may be injured, seek medical attention.
Try to 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 the 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 Slater and Gordon’s public injury solicitors?
It is essential to have a reliable and skilled solicitor by your side when choosing to start a public liability claim. We are one of the UK’s top consumer law firms and have helped thousands of people claim the personal injury compensation they deserve.
Our specialists have received high rankings from reputable independent legal guides, such as Chambers and Partners and the Legal 500.
Many of our personal injury solicitors hold Association of Personal Injury Lawyers (APIL) accreditations, including Senior Litigator and Brain Injury Specialist.
We’re accredited by The Law Society's Lexcel program, recognising that we adhere to the highest standards of professionalism and ensure our clients benefit from our expertise.
We pride ourselves on taking a holistic approach to every case that goes far beyond legal support, working with every client to secure any future care and rehabilitation they may require.
We work on a No Win No Fee basis, which means you won’t have to pay a penny to start your claim, and you won’t owe us anything if your case is unsuccessful.
We offer 'No Win No Fee' funding on public injury claims, meaning there's no financial risk to you.
Leading legal specialists
We have teams of legal experts who specialise in representing those who’ve suffered harm in public due to negligence.
Speed of delivery
As experts in these specialist cases, we'll ensure your case is dealt with swiftly, providing consistent updates, whilst ensuring you receive the maximum compensation.
Excellent reputation
We’re a reputable national law firm with expert lawyers in several specialist areas across England, Scotland and Wales.
Talk to our specialist public injury lawyers today
Frequently asked questions about public injury claims
What counts as a public place?
A public place is any area that the public have or are permitted to have access to, including streets, town squares and parks, regardless of who owns or manages the space. In addition, privately owned venues or spaces that are opened to the public, such as pubs and supermarkets, are also considered public places, as mentioned above.
Who is responsible for accidents in public places?
The legal occupier of the property will generally be the relevant defendant. This may be the owner of a venue such as a supermarket or pub or the Highway Authority if the accident occurred on a public road/pavement.
Is there a time limit for making public liability claims?
In general, you have three years from the date of the accident to make a public liability claim under UK law. There are certain circumstances in which this time limit may change; for example, if you’re claiming on behalf of a child, or someone who lacks the mental capacity to do so for themselves.
It’s always best to speak to a specialist public liability solicitor to discuss your personal circumstances in more detail. To get in touch, call us on 0330 041 5869 or reach out online, and we’ll be able to help you start your claim.
Can I make a No Win No Fee public liability injury claim?
Yes. Most of the public injury claims that we pursue are brought on a No Win No Fee basis. This means you don’t pay anything upfront for our services, and you won’t have to pay any legal fees if your claim is unsuccessful.
If your claim succeeds, a success fee is usually deducted from your compensation. This fee is capped by law, meaning you will always keep the majority of your compensation.
This type of agreement allows families to access expert representation without financial risk. It also ensures that you can pursue justice and financial support without worrying about legal costs at an already difficult time.
To learn more about funding a public injury claim, or to establish your full legal position, speak to our team on 0330 041 5869 or get in touch online.
Does public liability cover personal injury?
Public liability insurance exists to protect businesses, local authorities, landowners and other organisations if someone is injured because they failed to take reasonable care of the space they control.
This type of insurance does cover personal injury, meaning that if you’ve been hurt in a public place due to someone else’s negligence, you may be able to bring a public injury claim against the party responsible. Examples include slips on unmarked wet floors in shops, injuries caused by poorly maintained pavements, or accidents in leisure centres or restaurants.
What are the most common public liability accidents?
Public liability injury claims arise from a wide range of accidents that happen in public places. Although every situation is unique, some of the most common incidents include:
Slips, trips and falls on unsafe walkways or slippery floors.
Injuries caused by faulty equipment in shops, gyms or leisure centres.
Accidents caused by poorly maintained public spaces such as car parks, pavements or staircases.
In every case, the key question is whether the occupier or organisation responsible for that space took reasonable steps to reduce the risk of harm. When they fail to meet this duty, a public liability injury claim can help you secure the support you need to recover.
In almost all cases, public liability injury claims are paid by the insurer of the organisation responsible for your accident. This means you are not asking an individual to pay your compensation personally. Instead, the insurer assesses the evidence, determines whether the organisation was at fault, and then pays the compensation directly if the claim is successful.
From the very start of your claim, your public injury lawyers will correspond with the insurer on your behalf, ensuring your case is presented clearly, supported by strong evidence and carefully managed from start to finish.
Will I need to pay to start a public accident compensation claim?
At Slater and Gordon, ensuring that people have access to the justice and compensation they deserve is central to what we do, and we want you to feel supported at every stage. That is why we pursue most of our public place injury claims on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning there is usually no upfront cost to starting your case and no fees to pay if you are unsuccessful.
Pursuing cases through a No Win No Fee agreement ensures that anyone with a valid public injury claim can claim compensation without fear of financial uncertainty.
Before taking on your case, we’ll explain fully how No Win No Fee works, what costs are covered, and how any fees would be deducted if the claim succeeds. Everything will be set out clearly at the start so you can proceed with confidence.
Will I have to go to court to claim compensation?
It is very unlikely. Most people never have to go to court when bringing a public injury claim as the majority of claims are resolved through out of court negotiation with the insurer. Settlements can usually be reached long before any court hearing is needed, especially when liability is accepted early.
In the small number of cases where an agreement on liability or the amount of compensation due cannot be reached, court proceedings may be issued. However, even when this happens, negotiations can continue and many claims are settled before they reach a final court hearing.
If your case does need to go to court, our expert public injury lawyers will support you throughout the process and keep you informed at every stage. Our team has extensive experience guiding clients through hearings with sensitivity and reassurance, so you’ll never have to attend court without full preparation and support. Our goal is to make the experience as straightforward and stress-free as possible.
How is public liability compensation calculated?
The amount of public injury compensation you could be entitled to is determined by the physical, psychological, and financial impact of your injury. To value your claim, we’ll work with medical experts to assess the severity of your injury, how it has affected your life, and whether you are expected to fully recover.
Medical evidence plays a critical role in this determination. Independent medical experts assess the nature of your injury, your symptoms and any future treatment you may need. This helps determine the amount awarded for pain, suffering and the loss of enjoyment of everyday life.
We’ll also need to gather evidence of any financial losses to ensure these are included in the total compensation award. This can include lost earnings, travel costs, medical expenses, and any changes you have had to make to your home or daily routine because of your injury.
To start your claim, or to learn more about how much public injury compensation you could be entitled to, speak to our team today on 0330 041 5869 or get in touch online.
What do I need to prove to claim compensation for an accident in a public place?
To ensure your public injury claim is successful, we’ll need to show that the occupier or organisation responsible for the area failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe, and that this failure caused your injury.
Evidence can include photographs of the accident location, witness statements, medical records and incident reports. Your public injury lawyers will help you gather the information needed and will present your case clearly to the insurer.
How long do public liability claims take to settle?
The length of time it takes to settle public liability injury claims varies depending on the complexity of the case and the severity of your injury. More straightforward claims, where the insurer accepts responsibility early, may settle within a few months. Complex or disputed cases can take longer.
It is also important to understand that claims involving serious or long-term injuries may take longer, as it can sometimes be difficult for medical experts to carry out an accurate assessment of your recovery early on. This is essential to ensuring that your claim covers every aspect of your injury and you receive the full amount of compensation you deserve.
While the process can take time, our priority is ensuring your compensation properly reflects the impact of your injury. Your public injury solicitor will guide you through the process and provide regular updates, so you always know what to expect.
Can I claim on behalf of someone else?
Yes, in certain situations you can bring a public injury claim on behalf of someone else. This may apply if the injured person is a child, lacks mental capacity under the Mental Capacity Act 2005, or has died and you are acting as a dependant or representative of their estate.
Bringing a claim on behalf of a loved one can feel overwhelming, but you will receive full support from a dedicated public injury solicitor who will handle the legal process on your behalf.
To learn more about making a public injury claim on behalf of someone else, speak to our specialist team on 0330 041 5869 or get in touch online.
Really helpful and always on the other side of the phone if needed. Quick and easy service. Ashley
Excellent communication, in constant contact with the latest info regarding your case. David
Everything is moving along quickly and smoothly. Good professional service I'm glad I chose Slater and Gordon. Kenny Jackson