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Guide · Public liability
Slip, Trip and Fall Claims Explained
You may be able to claim if you slipped, tripped or fell because someone responsible for the place didn't take reasonable care to keep it safe. That could be a shop or business, the council, a landlord or your employer. You'll need to show the hazard was there, that they should have dealt with it, and that it caused your injury. You usually have 3 years to claim.
Wet floors, uneven paving, loose mats and badly lit steps cause many injuries every day. This guide explains who is responsible, what you need to prove and the evidence that helps.
- Shops and businesses
- Occupiers' Liability Act 1957
- Pavements and roads
- Highways Act 1980
- Partly to blame?
- You may still be able to claim
- Children
- Until their 21st birthday
What do you need to prove?
- They were responsible for the placeThe business, council, landlord or employer had a duty to take reasonable care for your safety where you were hurt.
- They didn't take reasonable careThey failed to deal with the hazard, or to warn you about it, when they reasonably should have.
- It caused your injuryThe hazard caused your fall, and the fall caused your injuries.
The second point is often where claims are won or lost. A shop may argue that a spill had only just happened, so it couldn't reasonably have found and cleaned it in time. Evidence of how long the hazard was there, and whether the business had a proper system for checking and cleaning floors, can make all the difference.
In our £22,500 cruise ship case, a passenger slipped on food that had been left on the floor.
Who is responsible for a slip, trip or fall?
It depends on where your accident happened. Whoever controls a place has a duty to take reasonable care to keep the people using it safe.
Shops and businesses
Under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, shops, restaurants, leisure centres and other businesses must take reasonable care to keep their premises safe for visitors. See occupiers' liability claims.
Pavements and roads
Councils must maintain public highways under the Highways Act 1980, but can defend a claim if they had a reasonable system of inspection and repair. See pavement and pothole claims.
Flats and rented property
In communal areas, such as stairs, hallways and car parks, the landlord, managing agent or management company may be responsible.
At work
Employers must keep floors and walkways reasonably free from slip and trip hazards. You may have an accident at work claim. See accident at work claims.
What if you were partly to blame?
The other side may say you were partly at fault, for example because you were looking at your phone, wearing unsuitable shoes or ignored a warning sign. If a court agrees, your compensation can be reduced to reflect your share of the blame. This is called contributory negligence.
For example, a 20% reduction would turn £10,000 into £8,000. Being partly to blame doesn't stop you claiming altogether. See claiming if it was partly your fault.
In our £26,000 festival case, a festival-goer slipped on a leak from a faulty portable toilet.
What evidence helps?
The more evidence you have, the stronger your claim. Try to gather what you can as soon as possible.
Photos and video
The hazard from close up and further away, whether there were warning signs, the lighting and your injuries.
Witnesses
Names and phone numbers of anyone who saw the accident or the hazard.
An accident report
Report it to the manager or person in charge, and ask for a copy of the accident book entry or report.
CCTV footage
Ask for it to be kept straight away. Footage is often only stored for a few weeks before it's recorded over.
Medical records
Get checked at A&E, a minor injuries unit or your GP, and explain exactly how the accident happened.
Receipts
Keep records of costs such as prescriptions, travel to appointments, physiotherapy and time off work.
For a trip on a pavement or floor, the size of the defect matters, but there's no fixed legal minimum. See pavement and pothole claims.
Compensation guide
How much compensation could I get for a slip, trip or fall?
The table below shows indicative ranges for some common injuries from trips and falls, based on the current guidance used by the courts in England and Wales. Wrist, ankle, knee and hip injuries are common in these accidents too. Their value depends a great deal on the type of injury and how well you recover, so talk to us about yours. You can also claim for financial losses, such as lost earnings, treatment and travel costs.
| Type of injury | Key factors | Indicative range |
|---|---|---|
| Minor soft tissue injurySprains, strains and bruising | Recovery period, impact on daily activities | Up to £16,500 |
| Arm or shoulder injuryFrom soft tissue damage to fractures and elbow injuries | Severity, dominant arm affected, impact on work | £5,500 – £42,000 |
| Leg fracture (simple)A simple fracture of the tibia, fibula or femur | Recovery time, surgery required, long-term impact | Up to £18,500 |
| Moderate back injuryDisc, ligament or muscle damage with longer-lasting symptoms | Duration of symptoms, impact on mobility and work | £16,500 – £51,000 |
| Serious leg injuryComplex fractures and injuries with lasting effects | Multiple fractures, permanent symptoms or disability | £36,500 – £117,000+ |
| Head and brain injuryFrom less severe brain injuries to life-changing damage | Cognitive impairment, personality change, long-term care | £20,000 – £530,000+ |
How to read these figures
- These are indicative ranges for pain, suffering and loss of amenity only. You can also claim for financial losses, such as lost earnings, treatment, care, travel, and damage to clothing, glasses or a bike. See how compensation is calculated.
- Figures are rounded and based on the Judicial College Guidelines (18th edition, April 2026). A "+" means the most severe cases can be worth more.
- Every claim is different. The amount you receive depends on your medical evidence and circumstances, and past results don't guarantee future outcomes.
Slip, trip and fall claims: FAQs
Can I claim if I slipped on a wet floor in a supermarket?
You may be able to. Shops must take reasonable care to keep their floors safe, for example by checking and cleaning them regularly and putting out warning signs. If the spill should have been found and dealt with, or there was no proper system for checking the floors, you may have a claim.
What if no one saw me fall?
You may still be able to claim. Photos of the hazard, CCTV, an accident report and your medical records can all help show what happened. Tell the person in charge as soon as you can, and ask for the CCTV to be kept.
Can I claim if I fell outside a shop rather than inside?
Possibly. If you fell on the shop's own land, such as its entrance or car park, the shop may be responsible. If you fell on the public pavement outside, it's usually the council. We'll work out who to claim against.
Does a trip hazard have to be a certain size?
No. There's no fixed legal minimum size. What matters is whether the hazard was dangerous, taking into account where it was, the lighting and who uses the area. See pavement and pothole claims.
Can I still claim if I was partly to blame?
Yes, you may still be able to. If you were partly at fault, your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share, but you can still recover the rest. See claiming if it was partly your fault.
How long does a slip or trip claim take?
It depends on your injury and whether the other side accepts responsibility. Claims for minor injuries where fault is accepted can settle much faster than claims that are disputed or involve serious injuries. See how long claims take.
Hurt in a slip, trip or fall?
Talk to our team for free, with no obligation. We'll look at what happened, work out who was responsible and tell you whether you have a claim. Eligible claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis.