Tripped or slipped in a public place?

Trips and slips are very common types of accident. The person or party whom your action is against will depend on to whom the road or park belongs or who is responsible for maintaining the surface in question. For example, if you have tripped on a public footway such a pavement or path, or a public road, it will be the local Highway Authority.

Do I have a claim?

As a general rule of thumb, when you trip on the public highway, the hazard in question, for example a hole in the ground or raised paving stone, must be over 1 inch in depth or height for it to be considered to be hazardous enough for a claim to succeed. However, the law provides Highway Authorities with a defence to these claims if they can show that they have taken all reasonable steps to maintain their highways by, for example, carrying out regular inspections and repairs.

Other examples of tripping and slipping cases include accidents in premises, for example in shops, car parks or when visiting other private or public property. In these cases, the owner/occupier is responsible for your safety whilst you are on their premises.

The owner/occupier must show that they have taken reasonable steps to ensure your safety whilst on their premises. For example, if you have slipped on a wet floor, was a warning sign displayed?

Our experienced, dedicated team of personal injury lawyers have acted successfully for clients who have had all manner of slips and trips, examples of which include:

• tripping on a raised or wobbly paving slab on a pavement;
• tripping on a crumbling step in a railway station car park;
• slipping on a wet floor in a shop;
• slipping on debris left on the floor;
• tripping over a wire lying across the aisle of a shop floor.

If you have had a tripping or slipping accident and would like to make a personal injury claim or you would like further advice, please contact one of our specialist lawyers in the Personal Injury Team.