Occupiers liability claims
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Occupiers' liability claims · England & Wales
No Win No Fee Occupiers' Liability Claims
If you were injured in the last three years because a shop, restaurant, rented home or other premises wasn't kept reasonably safe, you can usually claim compensation from whoever controls the property. Compensation is normally paid by their insurer.
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
- Shops, venues, landlords and more
- Free, no-obligation first call
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Where occupiers' liability claims happen
You may be able to claim if you were injured because premises weren't kept reasonably safe. Hurt on a pavement, in a park or by a dog? See public liability claims.
What to do after an accident on someone's premises
Hazards are often cleaned up or 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.
Report it on the spot
Tell the manager, staff or landlord and ask for the accident to be recorded. Ask for a copy or take a photo of the report.
Ask them to keep CCTV
CCTV is often deleted after a few weeks, so ask in writing for footage of your accident to be kept.
Photograph the hazard
Take photos of what caused your fall or injury, such as a spillage, broken step or loose flooring, and of your injuries.
Note witnesses
Get the names and contact details of anyone who saw what happened, including staff.
Get legal advice
Contact us for a free, no-obligation chat about whether you can claim.
What does an occupier have to do to keep me safe?
Under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, whoever controls premises must take reasonable care to make sure visitors are reasonably safe. That usually means:
- Inspecting the premises regularly and fixing hazards
- Cleaning up spillages promptly and using clear warning signs
- Keeping floors, stairs and walkways in good repair
- Providing adequate lighting and handrails
- Taking extra care where children are expected
Landlords also have duties to tenants and visitors under the Defective Premises Act 1972 where they're responsible for repairs.
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 CCTV and other evidence may not be kept for long.
Slipped on a spillage?
Businesses must have reasonable systems for checking and cleaning their floors. As part of your claim, we'll ask for their cleaning and inspection records, accident report, risk assessments and CCTV to show what happened and whether the hazard should have been dealt with sooner.
How much compensation could I get for an occupiers' 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 occupiers' liability claim works
Most occupiers' 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 the occupier
We identify who controls the premises and notify their insurer.
Evidence
We gather CCTV, records, photos 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?
Occupiers' 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 occupiers' liability, public liability and employer's liability claims.
Read Angela's profile →
Manages her own caseload of occupiers' liability, public liability and employer's liability claims.
Read Nicole's profile →
More than 30 years' litigation experience, including occupiers' liability and public liability claims.
Read Joanne's profile →
More than 17 years in the legal profession, handling occupiers', public and employer's liability claims.
Read Sian's profile →Occupiers' liability claim FAQs
What is an occupiers' liability claim?
An occupiers' liability claim is a claim against whoever controls a property because you were injured by its unsafe condition. Under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, occupiers must take reasonable care to keep visitors reasonably safe.
Who counts as the occupier?
The occupier is the person or organisation in control of the premises, which isn't always the owner. It could be the business running a shop, a landlord responsible for shared areas, a management company or a council. We'll work out who is responsible.
Can I claim if I slipped on a spillage in a supermarket?
Often, yes. Shops must have reasonable systems for inspecting and cleaning their floors. If a spillage was left too long or not properly signed, you may be able to claim. Ask the store to record the accident and keep its CCTV footage.
Can I claim against my landlord if I was injured at home?
You may be able to. Under the Defective Premises Act 1972, a landlord responsible for repairs can be liable if you're injured by a defect they knew about, or should have known about, such as a broken stair or loose handrail.
What if there was a warning sign?
A warning sign doesn't automatically stop a claim. It only protects the occupier if it was enough to keep you reasonably safe, for example if it was clear, visible and placed where you'd see it before the hazard.
Can I claim if I was injured at a friend's or relative's home?
You can, and any compensation is usually paid by their home insurance rather than by them personally. We understand this can feel awkward, so we'll talk it through with you before you decide anything.
How long do I have to make an occupiers' 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 my child was injured on someone's premises?
Yes. A parent or guardian can bring the claim on the child's behalf. Occupiers must take extra care where children are expected, as children are likely to be less careful than adults.
Can I claim if the accident was partly my fault?
Yes, you may still be able to claim. If you were partly responsible, your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of the blame. We'll give you an honest view at the start.
What's the difference between occupiers' liability and public liability?
Occupiers' liability is about injuries caused by the condition of premises, such as a shop, restaurant or rented home. Public liability is broader and covers negligence by businesses, councils and organisations in public places, like pavements and parks. We'll work out which applies to you.
Injured because premises weren't kept safe?
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 an occupiers' 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 caused by unsafe premises, such as slips, trips and falls, based on the current guidance used by the courts in England and Wales.
| Injury | Severity | Indicative range |
|---|---|---|
| Soft tissue injurySprains, strains and bruising to the neck, back or limbs | Minor (full recovery within 2 years) | Up to £10,400 |
| Soft tissue injurySymptoms lasting longer, or needing ongoing treatment | Moderate | £10,400 – £33,000 |
| Wrist fractureA break that leaves some lasting pain or stiffness | Moderate | £16,600 – £32,400 |
| Knee injuryLigament, cartilage or meniscus damage, such as from a fall | Moderate | £19,600 – £34,600 |
| Back injuryFrom strains and sprains to disc or ligament damage | Minor to moderate | £3,200 – £51,200 |
| Shoulder injuryFrozen shoulder or soft tissue damage with restricted movement | Moderate | £10,400 – £16,900 |
| Hip / pelvis fractureA fracture with some lasting effects, such as stiffness or pain | Moderate | £16,600 – £51,800 |
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, care and medical treatment.
- Figures are rounded and based on the Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition, April 2026).
- Compensation is usually paid by the occupier's insurer, such as the business, landlord or council's public liability insurance, 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.