Tripping and Slipping Accidents
Slip and trip cases are probably one of the most common causes of accidents. Our Specialist Personal Injury Solicitors Phillip Watters and Alun Thomas have over 40 years experience in handling slipping or tripping accident cases that have occured in the street, at work, in supermarkets and shops:
Types of claims we have handled:
- Slips and trips in shops and supermarkets (I.e. slipping on spilt milk or grapes)
- Trips and slips in Factories and offices
- Slips on ice and snow
- Claims against local authorities and councils and how to beat their statutory defence to such claims
- Claims for falls down disguised or poor steps/stairs
This is but a few examples of the type of claims we have successfully pursued for our existing or past clients. The list above could go on forever. No matter what type of trip or slip accident you have had our specialist personal injury solicitors have the skill and expertise to get the best possible compensation payment for you.
Our advice of things to do following an accident
Dont report the incident to the local authority otherwise they will repair the area before evidence is gathered and try and defeat your claim by arguing that they inspected the area days prior to your accident and the defect which caused your accident has only appeared. This provides the local authority a complete defence to your claim.
Do report the incident if it happens in a shop, at work or other place and ensure the accident report form is filled out in your presence and that you are given opportunity to read it and are happy they have described the circumstances of your fall correctly.
Our advice of things to do following an accident
Dont report the incident to the local authority otherwise they will repair the area before evidence is gathered and try and defeat your claim by arguing that they inspected the area days prior to your accident and the defect which caused your accident has only appeared. This provides the local authority a complete defence to your claim.
Do report the incident if it happens in a shop, at work or other place and ensure the accident report form is filled out in your presence and that you are given opportunity to read it and are happy they have described the circumstances of your fall correctly.
- Make your own notes of what happened
- If possible take photographs and measurements of the area where you tripped/slipped
- If there are any witnesses ask them for their telephone number and address
- Ensure that you seek medical attention for your injuries
Example of a Recent Case
Mrs X was making her way to a friend’s house after a night out playing pub dominoes when she tripped/fell down an unusually high unmarked kerb. It was dark as the street light was not working in the vicinity. The local authority/council denied liability alleging no defect with the kerb and that the client had been drunk at the time of the fall. (It was recorded in her medical records that she had consumed alcohol that evening). Our client denied being drunk and substantial evidence was obtained from witnesses who had been with our client that day evidencing that she was not drunk and had only consumed a small amount of alcohol.
We received evidence from the councils own records showing they had “repaired” this kerb recently (i.e. made it have a drop of 12-13 inches as opposed to the regular kerb in the area which had a drop of 5 inches-some repair that was!). Evidence was also obtained from council records that confirmed the street light was not working and despite recorded complaints had still not been fixed. The council eventually admitted 80% blame and the case settled for £80000.00 shortly before trial. Our client accepted 20% of the blame as there was a high risk that the Judge might have found her to have a greater share of the blame herself (i.e. 50%).
We received evidence from the councils own records showing they had “repaired” this kerb recently (i.e. made it have a drop of 12-13 inches as opposed to the regular kerb in the area which had a drop of 5 inches-some repair that was!). Evidence was also obtained from council records that confirmed the street light was not working and despite recorded complaints had still not been fixed. The council eventually admitted 80% blame and the case settled for £80000.00 shortly before trial. Our client accepted 20% of the blame as there was a high risk that the Judge might have found her to have a greater share of the blame herself (i.e. 50%).
