Accidents in a public place

Accidents in public places on land or property that is owned by an individual or organisation are referred to as Occupiers Liability accidents.

Accidents in a public place can occur in buildings, on land or property which is not owned or controlled by yourself or your employer.

Businesses and public bodies such as councils and local authorities have a responsibility to the public to ensure they are safe when entering or moving through their premises.

If you have had an accident in a public place you may be entitled to compensation. If you are unsure of who is responsible for your accident don’t hesitate to get in touch with us so that our team can investigate your case further and decide if to proceed.

At Wafer Phillips, we have helped countless clients to receive the compensation they deserve as a result of accidents in a public place such as:

• Accidents in supermarkets or shops

• Accidents in schools, colleges and universities

• Accidents on highways or in car parks

• Accidents from beauty treatments

• Falling, slipping or tripping in a public place

• Accidents in a gym or leisure centre

• Accidents caused by an animal

• Accidents in other countries

These premises can include both buildings and land as well as fixed and moveable structures. This can cover offices, shops, public buildings, houses and aircrafts.

What are the most common accidents?

Accidents in public places commonly occur on uneven, slippery or obstructed flooring that causes individuals to slip or trip and become injured.

Slips can occur on surfaces that are covered in liquids that should not be there, often on indoor flooring that has recently been cleaned. If there is not a wet floor sign present to warn individuals that they should take care walking in that space, an injury can occur.

Trips can occur on ground or flooring that is uneven and defective such as a hole in the pavement, a loose floor board or a raised kerb. Equally, objects that are obstructing the floor or walkway that have been negligently left can cause a personal injury to occur. This could be maintenance equipment left on a highway or something as simple as an object left on the floor of a supermarket.

 

Who is to blame?

In order to establish who is responsible and begin a claim, your solicitor must determine whether or not the owner of the property that the accident occurred on was responsible for the accident you sustained. This process will involve not only looking at where the accident took place, but also delving deeper into the causation to decide exactly which organisation is at fault. For instance, you may be in a building that is owned by a company that rents the space to businesses. Here we must conclude who is to be held responsible; those in charge of the property or the day to day running.

It is important to note that the fault may lie with yourself as well as the owner of the public place. In these cases compensation can still be received which is why speaking to our team as soon as possible is key.

In order to then prove that the public place where the accident occurred was unsafe and at fault, you will need to provide evidence which can be acquired in the following ways:

Detailed Account- Your own detailed account of what occurred is the first and most important piece of evidence you can provide in your case. You will be required to detail how, why and where the accident happened and state why you believe it could have been avoided.

Statements from those present- These statements are helpful in proving that the accident occurred as you recall and to attest to whether or not they believe the accident was avoidable. For example, if you trip over loose flooring in a supermarket, employees present could attest to the fact that flooring was defective before this time and the accident could have been avoided if it were repaired.

Photographic Evidence- Photos can show what in the public setting caused your injuries as well as showing the injuries you sustained.

Medical Report- It is important to keep any correspondence you receive in regards to your accident whether it is from your doctor, insurance company, solicitor or from the owner of the property as these can all be used as evidence.

 

How do I start a compensation claim?

The first step in making a claim is to get in touch with our team at Wafer Phillips. From there we will be able to arrange a free initial consultation to discuss your accident and decide whether it is within your best interest to proceed.

 

How long do I have to make a claim?

A claim for Occupiers Liability Accidents or Public Place Accidents must be brought about within three years from the date your accident occurred. However, our solicitors would always advise for your case to be brought to us as soon as the accident occurs to ensure that as much evidence as possible can be obtained.

 

What if the public place where the accident occurred is closed?

Claims can still be brought against public bodies and businesses even if they have are no longer operating provided that during the time of your accident they had public liability insurance.

 

How long will it take?

Each case is different and so it is difficult to state exactly how long the process will take however your solicitor will advise on any issues they believe may increase the duration.

However, generally the time taken for your case to conclude will depend on a number of factors such as the extent to which you were injured, any treatments you are still receiving as a result of the accident, whether fault is admitted by the third party and how fast they communicate with our team. If the case proceeds to court, this may also extend the length of time your case will take.

 

Get in touch

Being the victim of an accident in a public place can be an extremely difficult and upsetting time, particularly when you are navigating the compensation process alone. With over 25 years’ experience in Occupiers Liability cases, our solicitors will be able to support you throughout filing your claim.

Your solicitor will be with you through every step of the process and continue to work hard to win you the settlement you deserve at the end of the case.

At Wafer Phillips, we adopt a no win no fee policy; there are no hidden charges for you to worry about, and all costs are covered by the insurance which we arrange. If you or someone you know has recently been a victim of an accident in a public place, don’t hesitate to contact us today on 0151 256 7898 for a free initial consultation.