Liability Claims

Liability Claim Solicitors

A slip or trip can happen in an instant — on a wet supermarket floor, a broken pavement, a poorly lit staircase, or an unmarked hazard at work. In that split second, what felt like an embarrassing stumble can turn into a serious injury that leaves you in pain, off work, and facing unexpected financial pressure.

Regent Law’s specialist slip and trip solicitors in England handle public liability claims on a No Win, No Fee basis. Your first consultation is completely free, and you are under no obligation whatsoever.

What Is a Slip and Trip Claim in England?

A slip and trip claim — also known as a public liability claim — is a personal injury compensation claim made against the person or organisation responsible for the unsafe condition that caused your accident.

Under the Occupiers’ Liability Acts 1957 and 1984, anyone who controls a property — from a shop owner to a local council — owes a legal duty of care to ensure their premises are reasonably safe for visitors and members of the public. When they fail to meet that duty and you are injured as a result, they are liable for your losses.

Similarly, under the Highways Act 1980, local councils in England have a statutory duty to maintain public roads and pavements in a safe condition. If a defective pavement, pothole, or crumbling kerb caused your fall, the council may be liable.

The key question in any slip and trip claim England is simply this: did someone fail in their duty to keep you safe, and did that failure cause your injury? If the answer is yes, Regent Law can help you claim.

Where Can a Slip and Trip Claim Happen?

Slip and trip accidents occur in more places than most people realise. You may have a valid claim if you were injured in any of the following locations:

Supermarkets and Retail Shops

Wet floors from spillages or cleaning, without adequate warning signs, are one of the most common causes of slip and trip claims in England. Retailers have a duty to identify and remedy hazards promptly — or warn customers with clearly visible signage.

Public Pavements and Roads

Cracked paving slabs, sunken kerbs, potholes, and uneven surfaces all fall under the maintenance responsibilities of local highways authorities. If you tripped on a defective pavement in England, you may have a public liability claim against your local council.

Workplaces

Employers have a duty under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992 to keep floors clear, dry, and well-maintained. A slip or trip at work can also give rise to an employer liability claim alongside a public liability claim.

Restaurants, Cafés, and Pubs

Wet or greasy floors in hospitality venues, unmarked steps, loose carpeting, and poor lighting are all common hazards in licensed premises that can lead to serious falls

Car Parks

Potholes, uneven surfaces, poor lighting, ice and standing water in car parks — whether privately or council-operated — are frequently responsible for slip and trip injuries in England.

Shopping Centres and Public Buildings

Broken escalators, wet floors near entrances in wet weather, loose floor tiles, and poorly signposted hazards in shopping centres and public buildings are all grounds for a slip and trip compensation claim.

Icy and Snow-Covered Paths

If you slipped on ice outside a business premises that had failed to treat or clear its forecourt, you may have a valid claim. The duty to manage foreseeable weather hazards falls on the occupier of private and commercial land.

How Much Slip and Trip Compensation Could You Receive?

The value of your slip and trip claim in England depends on the severity of your injuries, their impact on your daily life and work, and the financial losses you have suffered. Compensation is assessed under two categories:

General Damages — for your pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Using the Judicial College Guidelines as a reference:

1. Minor soft tissue injury (full recovery within 3 months): up to £4,080
2. Moderate ankle fracture: £13,740–£26,590
3. Serious knee injury: £26,190–£43,460
4. Hip fracture (older claimant, significant impact): £39,170–£61,910
5. Moderate back injury with ongoing symptoms: £27,760–£38,780
6. Moderate PTSD following a serious fall: £8,180–£23,150

Special Damages — for the specific financial losses caused by your injury, which can include:

1. Lost earnings during recovery (and future lost earnings if your injury is long-term)
2. Private medical treatment, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation costs
3. Prescription and medication expenses
4. Travel costs to and from medical appointments
5. Care provided by family members or professional careers
6. Adaptations to your home or vehicle if required

At Regent Law, transparency is central to how we work. Your solicitor will give you a realistic compensation estimate and a minimum target figure from the outset — and keep you fully informed as negotiations progress.

What Injuries Can You Claim For?

Slip and trip accidents cause a surprisingly wide range of injuries — many of them far more serious than people initially expect. Regent Law handles claims for all of the following:

Broken wrists and arms

a natural reaction to breaking a fall with outstretched hands

Fractured hips and pelvis

particularly common and serious in older claimants

Knee injuries

ligament damage, meniscus tears, and fractures of the kneecap

Ankle fractures and sprains

one of the most frequent outcomes of pavement trips

Back and spinal injuries

disc herniations, muscle damage, and in serious cases, spinal cord involvement

Head injuries

from mild concussion to traumatic brain injury where the head strikes the ground

Shoulder injuries

dislocations and rotator cuff damage from impact or awkward landing

Scarring and lacerations

where a fall results in cuts or skin abrasions on hard surfaces

Psychological injury

anxiety, loss of confidence, and PTSD following a serious fall

Even injuries that initially seem minor can worsen over time or prevent you from working for weeks or months. Do not assume your injury is too small to claim for — contact us and we will assess your case honestly.

What to Do After a Slip or Trip Accident

The evidence you gather in the hours and days after your accident can be the difference between a strong claim and a weak one. Wherever possible, take these steps:

  1. Report the accident — to the shop manager, building owner, employer, or council immediately. Ask for a written record and obtain the reference number from any accident book entry
  2. Photograph everything — the hazard that caused your fall, your injuries, the exact location, and any surrounding conditions such as lighting and weather
  3. Get witness details — the names and contact numbers of anyone who saw you fall
  4. Seek medical attention straight away — visit your GP or A&E even if you feel the injury is minor. Your medical records establish the critical link between the accident and your injuries
  5. Preserve your clothing and footwear — do not wash or discard them as they can be relevant evidence
  6. Keep records of all expenses — travel, prescriptions, lost wages, and any care costs from the date of your accident
  7. Contact Regent Law — the sooner you instruct a solicitor, the better your prospects

The Slip and Trip Claims Process at Regent Law

We handle the entire legal process on your behalf so you can concentrate on your recovery. Here is what happens when you instruct us:

Step 1:

Free Case Assessment Contact us for a free, no-obligation conversation. Our specialist public liability solicitors will listen to what happened, assess the merits of your claim, and give you an honest view of whether you have a viable case — all at no cost to you.

Step 2:

No Win, No Fee Agreement If we take on your case, we sign a Conditional Fee Agreement. This is your complete guarantee that you will pay nothing unless your claim succeeds.

Step 3:

Evidence Gathering We obtain accident reports, CCTV footage, council inspection records, maintenance logs, witness statements, and any other supporting evidence needed to establish liability.

Step 4:

Independent Medical Assessment You will be referred to an independent medical expert who will assess your injuries, confirm their severity, and produce a report that underpins the value of your claim.

Step 5:

Presenting the Claim We formally notify the responsible party — whether a retailer, council, employer, or landlord — of your claim. Their insurer will investigate and respond to liability.

Step 6:

Negotiation and Settlement The vast majority of slip and trip claims in England settle through negotiation with the defendant's insurer. We do not accept low offers — we negotiate firmly to achieve the maximum settlement your case warrants.

Step 7:

Court Proceedings If Required If liability is disputed or an unreasonably low settlement is offered, we will issue court proceedings without hesitation. Our team has extensive experience in litigated public liability claims.

Time Limits on Slip and Trip Claims in England

The standard limitation period for a slip and trip compensation claim in England is three years from the date of the accident — or three years from the date you became aware your injury was linked to the accident. Important exceptions apply: Children — the three-year period does not begin until the child's 18th birthday, so claims can be brought up to age 21 Adults lacking mental capacity — the limitation period is suspended while the claimant lacks capacity Claims against local councils — while the standard three-year limit applies, councils must receive early notice of a potential claim. Delay can harm the strength of your case even within the limitation period If you are close to the three-year deadline, contact us immediately. Missing the limitation period means losing your right to claim permanently — no exceptions.

No Win, No Fee Slip and Trip Solicitors in England

Every slip and trip claim Regent Law accepts is handled on a No Win, No Fee basis. This means: No upfront payment — ever No costs during the case A pre-agreed success fee only payable from your compensation if your claim wins If your claim does not succeed, you pay nothing at all We believe that no one who has been injured through no fault of their own should be prevented from seeking justice because of financial concern. Our No Win, No Fee arrangement removes that barrier entirely.

Why Choose Regent Law as Your Public Liability Claim Solicitors?

Regent Law is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. 

We are not a claims management company — we are qualified, experienced personal injury solicitors who build evidence-led cases with a single focus: getting you the maximum compensation you are entitled to.

When you instruct Regent Law you receive:

  • A dedicated solicitor who manages your case from first call to final payment
  • Plain-English communication throughout — no jargon, no confusion
  • A 98% success rate across personal injury claims
  • Transparent compensation estimates from the very first consultation
  • No Win, No Fee representation — zero financial risk to you
  • Free initial consultation — no obligation to proceed

Frequently Asked Questions

Start Your Slip and Trip Claim in England Today

You didn’t ask to be injured. You shouldn’t have to pay the price for someone else’s negligence. Regent Law is ready to fight for every penny of compensation you are entitled to — with complete transparency, no jargon, and no financial risk.

Call us free on 01204 201296 WhatsApp: 07555 161516 Email: admin@regentlaw.co.uk Complete our online form and we’ll call you back at a time that suits you.