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Case study · Occupiers' liability
£26,000 Compensation After a Festival-Goer Slipped on a Leak From a Faulty Portaloo
Our client was at a music festival when they slipped on liquid leaking from a faulty Portaloo and broke their ankle. A fault in the waste system had caused the leak, and there were no warning signs. The event organisers and facilities provider had failed in their duty of care, and NJS Law, the firm behind Injuries Direct, secured £26,000 in compensation.
How poor maintenance and a failure to manage risks at an event led to a successful occupiers' liability claim, and what it means if you've been hurt on someone else's premises.
- Claim type
- Occupiers' liability
- Where
- A music festival
- Hazard
- Liquid leaking from a faulty Portaloo, with no warning signs
- Injury
- A broken ankle
- At fault
- The event organisers and facilities provider
What happened
Our client attended a music festival and used a standard Portaloo provided on site. As they stepped out of the unit, they slipped on liquid and fell, fracturing their ankle.
Slipping on a leak from a Portaloo may sound unusual. But for our client, it meant a broken ankle, months of recovery and real disruption to daily life.
What caused the accident
A detailed investigation made the cause clear.
- A fault in the Portaloo's waste system caused a leak
- Liquid pooled on the floor and around the exit
- No warning signs or preventative measures were in place
The impact on our client
The accident caused significant physical and emotional harm.
- A broken ankle
- Medical treatment and ongoing rehabilitation
- Time off work and loss of income
- Pain, discomfort and psychological distress
Why the claim succeeded
Under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, anyone responsible for premises must take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe. This claim succeeded for four key reasons.
- Unsafe conditions were presentThe Portaloo had a known defect that created a clear slip hazard, but it wasn't repaired and users weren't warned.
- The injury had a serious impactA broken ankle, rehabilitation, time off work and psychological distress.
- Negligence was provenThe event organisers and facilities provider failed in their duty of care. Our team gathered incident reports, maintenance and inspection records, and witness statements.
- The claim was made on timeOur client started their claim within the three-year time limit.
- The outcomeCompensation of £26,000.
Every claim is different, and the outcome of your claim will depend on your circumstances.
What this case shows about accidents at events
If you've been hurt at a festival, event or on someone else's premises, these are the points that matter most.
Event sites must be kept safe
Under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, whoever is responsible for premises, including event sites and their facilities, must take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe.
Faults must be fixed or flagged
Known defects should be repaired, and hazards clearly marked until they are. Here, there were no warning signs at all.
Evidence proves negligence
Incident reports, maintenance and inspection records, and witness statements all helped show that the organisers and facilities provider were at fault.
Time limits apply
You usually have three years from the date of your accident to start a claim, so it's worth getting advice early.
Hurt at an event? Find out if you can claim
Whether your injury is serious or minor, our team will talk it through with you for free and tell you honestly whether you have a claim. Eligible claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.
- Free, no-obligation first conversation
- No Win No Fee on eligible claims
- Personal injury solicitors at NJS Law
- Clear, supportive guidance throughout your claim
Prefer to talk now? 0330 818 1202
Accidents at events and in public places: FAQs
Can I claim compensation if I was injured on someone else's property?
Yes. If the property owner or operator failed to keep the area safe and you were injured as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.
Can I claim for an accident at a festival or event?
You may be able to. Event organisers and the companies that provide facilities on site must take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe. If they didn't and you were hurt, you may have a claim.
Is slipping in a Portaloo really a valid claim?
Yes, it can be. In this case, a maintenance fault caused the injury, so the accident was the result of negligence, not bad luck.
Who is responsible for an accident at an event?
It can be the event organiser, a facilities provider, or both. We'll work out who was responsible and who a claim should be made against.
How much compensation could I receive?
Compensation depends on how serious your injury is and the impact it has had, including lost earnings and treatment. In this case, our client recovered £26,000. See our occupiers' liability claims page for typical compensation ranges.
Is there a time limit for an occupiers' liability claim?
You usually have three years from the date of the accident to start a claim. There are exceptions, for example for children, so get in touch even if your accident was some time ago.
Hurt at an event through no fault of your own?
Talk to our personal injury team for free, with no obligation to claim. Eligible claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.