Slips, trips and falls claims

Slips, trips and falls are among some of the most common varieties of accident claims. As they can occur anywhere and for any number of reasons, the injury suffered and the reason for the accident can vary widely. Injuries range from minor tissue complaints to serious, ongoing conditions that an individual may never completely recover from.

For this reason, it is not always easy to say, without gathering all the evidence, what kind of claim a slip, trip and fall may be. It is not even easy to understand who exactly is to blame. Slip and trips happen every day for any number of reasons, such as an untied shoe or a simple misstep. They may happen outside, for example, on private or council property without a clear divider.

How does a slip, trip and fall happen?

Slips can occur in any place or time, but are more prone to happen on a wet or uneven surface. This could be on a floor which has recently been cleaned and was not marked with a wet surface sign or outside after a period of rain. A claim will be stronger if a clear reason can be established, like a lack of marking or uneven ground, but established fault can still be difficult.

The main aspect of these cases is avoidance. If it can be shown that measures were not taken which could have prevented injury, then a claim case has a real chance for success. A slip in the workplace due to incorrectly stored items like boxes or wires is a common reason for a compensation case. It is very important that any information, due to this need to demonstrate a reason for injury, is clearly documented. Photographs, statements and doctor’s reports can be vital for cases like this, so take care to make careful note.

Deciding who is to blame for a falling injury is generally based on the location of the event. If a slip occurred in a business property such as a restaurant or a hotel, the owner of the location is at fault. This could be due to uneven carpeting or wet floors. More public areas such as roads and streets may variably be owned by nearby shops or by the council. Poorly maintained pathways that feature an uneven or slippery tread can be successful reasons for a claims case.

Building a Case

Your first instinct after any injury should always be to seek medical help, but be aware to take down any information possible. Witness statements are helpful, so try and gain the contact details of anyone that may be able to help.

Compensation cases are based around the need to reimburse injured parties for their financial strain during recovery. This could mean lack of earnings or ongoing medical complaints, so slip, trip and fall compensation will revolve around your personal situation. Payments for genuine cases range from £1,000 to £200,000 and beyond.

While it is appropriate to seek compensation for legitimate injuries, it should be made clear that false claims can lead to punishment. Cases that are found to be false may result in fines of up to £3,000, especially those against councils.

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