Accident in a Public Place Claim Solicitors

The occupier of the premises where your accident occurred carries the responsibility. Under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, the occupier must take reasonable care to ensure visitors are safe. That duty rests with whoever controls and manages the space, whether it’s a business, a local authority, a landlord, or a property management company. We identify the correct defendant and provide you with continued support throughout the claims process.

The Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 places a duty of care on occupiers to take reasonable steps to ensure visitors are reasonably safe when using their premises for the purposes for which they are invited or permitted to be there. What amounts to reasonable care will depend on the circumstances, although it may include measures such as maintaining floors and walkways, repairing defects, providing adequate lighting, and warning visitors about temporary hazards where appropriate.

Different considerations may apply where children are involved, as occupiers may be expected to take into account that children can be less aware of potential dangers than adults. Separate provisions also apply to certain non-visitors under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1984. In some circumstances, occupiers may owe a limited duty to people who enter land or premises without permission if they are aware of a danger and can reasonably be expected to offer some protection against the risk.

The fact that a hazard appeared shortly before an accident does not automatically prevent a claim. The key question is often whether the occupier had reasonable systems in place to identify, inspect, and deal with potential risks.

Each case depends on its individual circumstances. Factors such as inspection records, cleaning procedures, staff training, and how long the hazard was present may all be relevant when assessing whether a claim may be possible.

Car park operators and occupiers owe visitors a duty to take reasonable care to keep them reasonably safe. In some circumstances, accidents involving icy surfaces, potholes, poor lighting, or uneven surfacing may give rise to a claim if there is evidence that reasonable steps were not taken to identify, maintain, or address the hazard.

Identifying who owns and maintains a car park is often the first step in investigating a claim. That is not always straightforward, particularly where ownership and management responsibilities are shared. Our team can help investigate who may be responsible, obtain relevant evidence, and explain your options, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Possibly. If you contributed to the accident, the law may treat this as contributory negligence. This means that any compensation awarded could be reduced to reflect your share of responsibility.

Whether contributory negligence applies, and to what extent, will depend on the circumstances of the accident. Being partly responsible does not automatically prevent you from making a claim.

In most cases, you have three years from the date of your accident to make a compensation claim. For children, the three-year time limit starts running from the date of their 18th birthday.

One important factor to consider is that CCTV recordings are typically kept for between 28 and 31 days before being overwritten. Contacting us as soon as you can gives us the best chance of securing that footage, which can be crucial to your claim's success.

If possible, take the following steps:

• Report the accident in writing to the business or premises manager before leaving and ask for a copy of the incident record.
• Photograph the hazard and your injuries at the scene.
• Take witness names and contact details.
• Keep all medical records, prescriptions, and expense receipts.

Depending on the circumstances, additional evidence may also be available, such as CCTV footage, inspection records, cleaning logs, maintenance records, and accident reports. Our team can help obtain relevant evidence as part of investigating a potential claim.

Call 0800 260 5010 or request a callback. We offer a free initial claim assessment and can explain whether you may be able to make a claim, how the process works, and the funding options available to you. There is no obligation to proceed.