What if someone is injured on my business premises?

People considerations

For the many things that you, as a prospective owner will be contemplating in running your business, the consideration of people is a contributing factor to all decisions. But whilst you run the numbers, mull over designs, and devise your five-year-plan, health and safety and a contingency plan in the unforeseen event of an accident on your property could considerably alter that dream if a victim places a law suit against you and your business.

Perhaps this sounds like an extreme scenario, but insuring yourself against a public liability compensation claim is a very real question no matter what your business plans are. Ask yourself, if someone was injured in an accident that wasn’t their fault on your property, could you afford the risk of not holding adequate insurance?

If someone is injured on your business premises you face the risk of a public liability compensation claim, in which a court may hold you responsible for paying any damages and legal fees to the third parties involved. Adequate health and safety measures are paramount in any business; this does not just apply to shops or restaurants open to the public, but also in consideration of employees, visitors and anyone likely to step foot in your property. In the event of an accident that wasn’t their fault, all would be within their rights to make a compensation claim.

Risk management & insurance

As a business owner, it is your responsibility to ensure measures are taken to see that such accidents are minimised. This includes efficient, regular training of staff in consideration of all possibilities, and risk assessment, which should be diligently and immediately addressed; this could be anything from frequently-used areas and equipment, to workplace hazards, to spilt water – all of which should be tended to and at the very least sign-posted in a way that people will not accidentally fall victim by not being warned.

Accidents happen. In the event of an accident on your premises, taking out insurance will outweigh the risk that you owe to anyone who steps foot on your property, ultimately saving money and sparing your business if the victim of an accident pursues a compensation claim.

When to seek advice

Slater and Gordon have a specialist team of personal injury lawyers who deal with accidents in public places on a no win no fee basis. For a free consultation call 0330 041 5869 or contact us online and we’ll be happy to help you.

All information was correct at the time of publication.