Public liability claim
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Public liability claims · England & Wales
No Win No Fee Public Liability Claims
If you were injured in a public place in the last three years because a business, council or other organisation was negligent, you can usually claim compensation. That includes trips on damaged pavements, accidents in parks and playgrounds, injuries at sports venues and dog bites.
Injuries Direct is a trading name of NJS Law, SRA-regulated personal injury solicitors. Eligible claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis, with nothing to pay upfront.
- Authorised and regulated by the SRA
- No win, no fee on eligible claims
- Claims against councils and businesses
- Free, no-obligation first call
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Common public liability claims we help with
You may be able to claim if you were injured in a public place because someone didn't take reasonable care. Hurt inside a shop or other premises? See occupiers' liability claims.
What to do after an accident in a public place
Hazards are often repaired quickly, so evidence gathered early makes a big difference. Don't worry if you couldn't do all of this at the time.
Get medical help
See your GP, call NHS 111 or go to A&E, even if the injury seems minor at first.
Photograph the hazard
Take photos from different angles, with a coin or tape measure for scale, and of your injuries.
Record the exact location
Note the street name, nearby landmarks or a what3words address so the spot can be found again.
Note witnesses
Get the names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened.
Report it
Tell the council, venue manager or business, and ask for it to be recorded. Report serious dog attacks to the police.
Get legal advice
Contact us for a free, no-obligation chat about whether you can claim.
Who is responsible for my injury?
Depending on where and how you were hurt, your claim may be against:
- The local council or highway authority for public roads, pavements and many parks
- A business or venue, such as a gym, leisure centre or attraction
- An event organiser for festivals, concerts and sports events
- A contractor carrying out roadworks or building work
- A dog's owner or keeper for dog bites and animal attacks
Compensation is usually paid by their public liability insurer, not by an individual. We'll identify who is responsible as part of your claim.
Time limits at a glance
- Adults
- 3 years from the accident
- Children
- 3 years from their 18th birthday
- Lacking mental capacity
- No time limit while capacity is lacking
Source: Limitation Act 1980. Contact us as soon as you can, as hazards are often repaired quickly.
Claiming against the council
Councils must maintain public roads and pavements under the Highways Act 1980, but they have a defence if they can show a reasonable system for inspecting and repairing them. That's why photos and the exact location matter. We'll ask the council for its inspection and repair records as part of your claim.
How much compensation could I get for a public liability claim?
Compensation depends on how serious your injury is, how long you take to recover and what it has cost you. It's made up of two parts:
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, valued using the Judicial College Guidelines.
- Special damages for financial losses, such as lost earnings, treatment and therapy, travel, care from family, and damaged clothing or belongings.
What affects the amount
- The type and severity of your injuries
- How long your recovery takes
- Your loss of earnings, now and in future
- Care and support you've needed
- Whether you were partly at fault
How a no win no fee public liability claim works
Most public liability claims settle with the insurer without going to court.
Free first call
Tell us where it happened and how you were hurt.
We find who's responsible
We identify the council, business or person responsible and notify their insurer.
Evidence
We gather photos, records and an independent medical report.
We negotiate
We value your claim and negotiate a settlement, keeping you updated.
Settlement
If your claim succeeds, compensation is paid and we explain every deduction.
What do I pay if I win?
Under a Conditional Fee Agreement, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation, plus any After the Event insurance premium. If your claim doesn't succeed, you don't pay our fees. We explain all of this clearly before you sign anything.
Who will handle your claim?
Public liability claims are run by NJS Law's employer's and public liability team, led by Leanne Henton. Meet the full team.
A solicitor advocate specialising in public liability, occupiers' liability and employer's liability claims.
Read Angela's profile →
Particular experience in public liability and employer's liability claims.
Read Laura's profile →
More than 30 years in personal injury, handling public liability claims through to trial.
Read Mark's profile →
Manages her own caseload of public liability, occupiers' liability and employer's liability claims.
Read Nicole's profile →Public liability claim FAQs
What is a public liability claim?
A public liability claim is a claim against a business, council or other organisation whose negligence injured you as a member of the public. Common examples include tripping on a damaged pavement, being hurt in a park or playground, or being bitten by a dog.
Can I claim against the council if I tripped on a pavement?
Often, yes. Councils must maintain public roads and pavements under the Highways Act 1980. They can defend a claim if they show they had a reasonable system for inspecting and repairing them, so photos of the defect and the exact location are important evidence.
How deep does a pothole or pavement defect need to be?
There's no fixed legal size. Whether a defect is dangerous depends on where it is and how the area is used, such as a busy shopping street compared with a quiet footpath. Photograph it with something for scale, like a coin or tape measure, and we'll assess it for you.
Can I claim for a dog bite?
Yes, you may be able to claim against the dog's owner or keeper. Compensation is often paid through the owner's home or pet insurance. If the attack was serious, report it to the police as well.
Can I claim for my child's injury in a playground?
Yes. A parent or guardian can bring the claim on the child's behalf. A child has until their 21st birthday to claim, because the three-year time limit only starts when they turn 18.
Who pays the compensation?
Compensation is usually paid by the public liability insurer of the business or organisation responsible, or by the council if the claim is against them, rather than by an individual.
How long do I have to make a public liability claim?
Usually three years from the date of the accident, under the Limitation Act 1980. For children, the three years starts on their 18th birthday.
Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?
Yes, you may still be able to claim. If you were partly responsible, for example if you weren't looking where you were going, your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of the blame.
What's the difference between public liability and occupiers' liability?
Occupiers' liability covers injuries caused by the condition of premises, such as a shop, restaurant or rented home, under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957. Public liability is broader and covers negligence by businesses, councils and organisations in public places. We'll work out which applies to you.
Will I have to go to court?
Most public liability claims settle with the insurer without going to court. If court proceedings are needed, we'll guide you through every step.
Injured in a public place through no fault of your own?
Talk to our team for free, with no obligation to claim. Eligible claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis.
Other claims we handle
Compensation guide
How much compensation could I get for a public liability claim?
The amount you could receive depends on the type of injury, how serious it is and how it affects your daily life. The table below shows indicative ranges for some of the most common injuries from accidents in public places, such as pavement trips, playground accidents and dog bites, based on the current guidance used by the courts in England and Wales.
| Injury | Severity | Indicative range |
|---|---|---|
| Ankle injurySprains, ligament damage or fractures, such as from a trip on a damaged pavement | Modest to moderate | Up to £35,100 |
| Knee injuryLigament, cartilage or meniscus damage with some ongoing symptoms | Moderate | £19,600 – £34,600 |
| Shoulder injurySoft tissue damage or restricted movement, sometimes needing surgery | Moderate | £10,400 – £25,400 |
| Wrist or hand injuryFractures or soft tissue damage that leave some pain or stiffness | Moderate | £16,600 – £38,700 |
| Back injuryFrom strains and sprains to disc or ligament damage | Minor to moderate | £3,200 – £51,200 |
| Dental damageChipped, broken or lost teeth, such as from a fall | Loss of or damage to teeth | £2,900 – £15,000 |
How to read these figures
- These are indicative ranges for pain, suffering and loss of amenity only. You may also be able to claim for financial losses, such as lost earnings, travel costs, dental or medical treatment and care.
- Figures are rounded and based on the Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition, April 2026).
- Compensation is usually paid by the public liability insurer of the business or organisation responsible, or by the council if the claim is against them, rather than by an individual.
- Every claim is different. The amount you receive depends on your medical evidence and circumstances, and past results don't guarantee future outcomes.