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Public Liability Case Studies
Real public liability claims handled by NJS Law's personal injury team, the solicitors behind Injuries Direct. See how councils and landowners were held responsible for unsafe public places, and what our clients received.
Our public liability case studies
How we've helped people injured in public places that weren't kept safe.
What our case studies show about public liability claims
Whoever is responsible for a public place, such as a council, landowner or management company, must take reasonable care to keep people safe. When they don't and you're hurt, you may be able to claim.
Hazards must be fixed or marked
Holes, uneven surfaces and broken paving should be repaired, or clearly marked until they are. In our £8,000 case, a hole was left hidden under leaves with no warning.
Duty of careYou don't need to know who's responsible
It could be the council, a private landowner, a management company or another organisation. We'll find out who looks after the area and make the claim against them.
Who to claim againstInsurance pays your compensation
Compensation is usually paid by the responsible organisation's public liability insurer, or by the council if the claim is against them, rather than by an individual.
Public liability insuranceCould you claim for an accident in a public place?
You may be able to claim compensation if:
- You were injured in a public place, such as a pavement, park, path, playground or car park
- It was caused by a hazard that should have been repaired or marked, or by someone else's carelessness
- It happened in the last three years, though there are exceptions, for example for children
Find out more in our public liability claims guide, including typical compensation amounts, or see how long you have to make a claim.
Not sure if you have a claim?
Talk to our personal injury team for free. We'll tell you honestly whether you have a claim, with no obligation to go ahead. Eligible claims are handled on a no win, no fee basis.
Public liability guides
Plain-English answers to the questions we're asked most often after an accident in a public place.
Public liability case studies: FAQs
Are these real public liability cases?
Yes. They're based on real claims handled by NJS Law's personal injury team, the solicitors behind Injuries Direct. Some details are kept anonymous to protect our clients' privacy.
What's the difference between public liability and occupiers' liability?
Public liability is a wide term for accidents in public places, such as pavements, parks and paths. Occupiers' liability covers accidents on premises someone controls, such as a shop, supermarket or restaurant. We'll work out which applies to you.
Can I claim if I tripped on a pavement?
You may be able to, if the pavement was in poor repair and whoever was responsible for it, often the council, should have fixed it. Take photos of the defect, with something next to it to show its size, as soon as you can.
Will my claim be worth the same?
Not necessarily. Compensation depends on your injuries, your recovery and the financial losses you've had, such as time off work. Past results don't guarantee future outcomes, but we'll look at your situation for free and explain what your claim could include.
Is there a time limit for a public 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.
More case studies
See case studies for other types of claim.
Injured in a public place? Find out if you can claim
Talk to our personal injury team for free, with no obligation to claim. We'll tell you honestly whether you have a claim and how we can help.