Claims for an accident in a public place 

Maybe you’ve slipped or tripped, maybe you have been hit by something which has fallen from above or you have walked into something which shouldn’t have been there.

Maybe it was in a supermarket, shop or restaurant. Maybe it was on a path or pavement next to a road.  Whatever the circumstances, you have somehow found yourself injured, in pain and certainly inconvenienced – so what can you do about it?.

What is an accident in a public place?

Generally speaking, accidents in a public place fall into two categories:

Public liability accidents – most commonly involving accidents on the street, road or on public land and your claim is against the local council

Occupier’s liability accidents – where accidents happen in premises like shops, supermarkets, cinemas or stadiums and your claim is made against a private company.

You might be wondering about schools or hospitals but the guidance above is the same. If it’s a private school then you’d claim against the private company that owns or manages it (occupier’s liability). If it’s a school run by the local authority i.e a public body, then you would have a public liability claim.

If you wish to learn more about each claim type, we have dedicated Public and Occupier’s pages that may be of interest - however, we encourage you not to worry about these terms.

It’s for our legally trained staff to worry about who is responsible for your injuries and it really makes no significant difference to the process of your public accident compensation claim.

The only ‘real world’ difference is in working out who is negligent and liable for your damages.

Can I claim for an accident that occurred on public premises?

If you’ve been injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, you could be entitled to seek a personal injury claim.

Businesses, local authorities and owners of premises which are accessible to the public have a duty of care towards those who are present on their premises. This means that the occupiers have a responsibility to take reasonable care so that the person does not suffer injury.

What to do after an accident in a public place?

These key steps are not only necessary but may prove to be critical in the future if you decide to pursue a personal injury claim.

• Seek medical attention - Having your injuries checked and treated by a medical professional should be your first consideration. It’s not only important for your well-being but your medical records could provide vital evidence later on in the event of a claim.
• Reporting the accident - It is important that you or someone who witnessed the incident report what happened to whoever is in charge of safety, wherever the accident took place, and as soon as possible. That might be the shop owner, hotel manager or your local council if it happened on the street.
• Gather evidence - Photos or videos of where the accident happened (especially any footage that’s been captured in the immediate aftermath) can help build a picture of the scene and how the accident happened. It may even help identify an obvious fault or provide extra key details that might otherwise be forgotten (like the weather or lighting conditions). 
  Witness details are also a big help. We wouldn’t expect you to gather full statements from people but if you could gather any names and contact details of those who saw your accident then we can speak to them later for any supporting evidence.
• Contact Digby Brown - Whatever the circumstances of your public accident injury claim our people will be able to provide reliable advice – just like we’ve done for hundreds of others. 
  Like our client who tripped on a path while walking her children home from school. Our solicitors took on her claim against the council to seek compensation for her injury. Or Mrs Cameron who slipped on wet tiles when leaving a store and broke her hip. Our Ayr solicitors took on her case and were able to secure over £35,000 for her injuries.