Public Place Accident Claims
What is a Public Place Accidents Claim for Compensation
Accidents that happen whilst in a public place due to hidden dangers in the public space that could cause a person to slip, trip or fall in everyday life. They can happen anytime, anywhere, including:
- At a shop, shopping centre or supermarket
- At a public gathering or outdoor event
- At a private or public car park
- Whilst on the school’s grounds or the grounds of private or public owner
- In someone else’s home
- In public walk ways or pedestrian highway crossings
Injuries sustained in these circumstances are unfortunate, but painful. There are some cases the incident may cause severe injury, whilst these types of incidents involve many elderly members of the public causing further complication to their existing ill health. Public place accident claims provide a path to seek compensation in such situations.
How can I be sure I meet the requirements to make a claim
You simply need to be able to show that the circumstances of your accident were caused by the negligence of another party who has breached their duty of care towards you. This resulting in you having to suffer pain and discomfort along with any other losses.
Who is responsible for my injuries?
Unfortunately, slips, trips and falls are common. These types of accidents can happen in any public environment, from shopping centres and supermarkets to pedestrian carriage ways and crossing, along with private or public car parks.
These accidents could be due to poor flooring, mis-managed footpaths or pedestrian walk ways to hidden obstacles that could create a tripping hazard. In some cases inadequate lighting which could cause difficulty to see where you are walking, could also lead to an accident.
The responsible party who manages the land you were on when the accident took place.
What is classed as a loss, and what sorts of losses can I claim for?
Loss can take the form of:
- Income lost due to not returning to work
- Loss of future earnings due to disability
- Care and assistance
- Psychological distress
- The incurrence of medical costs
What should I do?
It is never easy to stay focused immediately after an accident, but there are certain things you should know before you make a claim for a public place accident. We would advise you to follow the steps as close to as you are able as it will help you put together evidence needed to be successful in your claim.
1. Medical Treatment
You should always call an ambulance or immediately attend urgent care. Obtaining medical help and logging any injuries is priority.
When you are being see to by a medical professional, you must disclose all your injuries. Anything you say and get treated upon will be logged by the medical established and lodged to your medical records.
2. Accident Circumstances
At the earliest opportunity, you should write down exactly what happened, if you are unable then ask your friend or family member to obtain photos of the area. If there are any witnesses to your accident, then obtaining the contact information would help your case later along the line.
3. Contact RU1NJURED
At RU1NJURED our panel of experienced Public Place Accident Solicitors specialise in accident in public place compensation claims. We can offer free advice and information all aspects of your possible compensation claim.
4. Retain a log of your injuries, recovery and treatments
It would be easier for you later if you kept a log of your injuries, any assistance you may have needed at home by family or loved ones for any care, you should keep a diary of psychological affects you have experienced due to the accident. If you have had to pay for any medical treatment or for changes in your home to support your injury disability keep a record of all your receipts. Indeed, if you have to pay to travel to your appointments, then these receipts should also be kept, along with any income you may have lost.
Can I Claim Compensation for Accident of Public Place?
You should try to think, if the defect you tripped or fell over was naturally going to be there, or you were in that area unlawfully, then you will fail to succeed in a claim against the person or public entity as the fault would be your own.
Similarly, you should try to think, when dealing with slipping on a wet floor, or tripping on a damaged footpath or walkway. If the person or public entity responsible for the wet floor or defective walkway has displayed a warning sign then it would be your responsibility to acknowledge these warnings. In injury circumstances such as these, no body else can be held responsible, but yourself.
However, if there are no warning signs, or guards placed to avoid a defective or dangerous area despite there being reasonable time to apply such warnings and safety measures and you indeed lawfully present when the injury took place, then your injury claim has merit to bring a compensation claim against the person or private, public entity and they could be held financially accountable for your injury and suffering you experienced from it.
Our panel Solicitors at RU1NJURED have many years of experience distinguishing between the two scenarios described above and will assess your situation quickly and efficiently, so you know whether you have a valid public place accident claim.
How much compensation will I receive?
The amount of compensation you may be entitled to receive will depend on various factors, such as which body parts have been affected by the slip, trip or fall injury and whether the injuries have future implications.
But to give you an idea, average slip and fall accident claim payouts range from £2,200 to £13,740. Our specialist public place accident claims Solicitor will be able to take your case on a no win, no fee basis, so consulting with our Solicitor will not cost you anything and it can help you get the compensation you deserve for your injury.
They will be able to advise you on the amount of slip, trip and fall compensation you can expect to receive if your claim is successful. In the meantime, you can use our Personal Injury Calculator to see how much you may be able to claim for.
Claiming for Personal Injury at a Public Place
Whilst the money won in a compensation claim is obviously useful and can help to pay for treatment of your injuries or maintain your quality of life. It is also about receiving justice and ensuring that such accidents do not happen again.
In highlighting a situation, your claim could prevent others from suffering the same misfortune by forcing the person responsible to take action to rectify the situation.
If you would like advice on whether you may be able to make a public place accident claim, then get in touch with us today on 0800 955 18 27, or click the get in touch link below to complete an enquiry form, and our panel Solicitors will come straight back to you.