Senior couple buying fresh fruit at the market

Accident in public places

Public liability claims

No one expects to be injured when they are out walking or visiting the supermarket for example but accidents in public places or venues open to the public happen often, and they can negatively impact your life. If you have had an accident in a public place, you may be entitled to compensation and at Slater and Gordon, we can provide you with legal advice and support.

Meet our public injury experts

Many of our specialist public injury solicitors are considered leaders in the field with a significant amount of expertise.

Tracey Benson, head of serious injury south

Tracey Benson

Head of Serious Injury - South

Matthew Tomlinson, our Head of Serious Injury in the North

Matthew Tomlinson

Head of Serious Injury - North

Expert profile of Richard Gaffney

Richard Gaffney

Principal Lawyer

Richard Crabtree

Richard Crabtree

Principal Lawyer

One of the UK’s leading specialist law firms.

We are proud to have partnerships with national charities and be recognised in the latest legal directories.

HASAG Asbestos disease support
Asbestos Awareness and Support Cymru
The times best law firms 2023
The legal 500
Association of Personal Injury Lawyers: APIL

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.

Talk to us about your case

Call us now on:   0330 041 5869

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.

Talk to us about your case

Call us now on:   0330 041 5869

Why choose Slater and Gordon?

No Win No Fee

We offer 'No Win No Fee' funding on workplace incident cases, 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 their workplace 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 us about your case

Call us now on:   0330 041 5869

Frequently asked questions about public inquiries

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?

You have three years from the date of the accident or from the date the injury was discovered to start a claim so you should not delay in seeking legal advice from a specialist lawyer.

Can I make a no win no fee public liability claim?

Most of the public liability claims we handle are by way of a no win-no fee agreement so if the claim is not successful (providing you have always provided truthful instructions) there will not be any legal costs.

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