Accidents in Public Places

Public places refer to land or property over which there is a public right of way, or to which the public has access.

Accidents can fall into two categories:

• Tripping and slipping accidents 
• Accidents on private property 

In simple terms, owners of land or property have an obligation to take reasonable care for the safety of visitors.  If they fail to do so, resulting in an injury, a claim may be possible.

Slips, Trips and Falls

If your accident was caused by a defect on a path or pavement, for example an obstacle or pothole, you may be able to bring a claim against those responsible for maintaining the path or pavement.

Shops, Resturants and Public Places

Shop owners, restauranteurs and other public premises have a duty to take reasonable care that visitors will be safe when using their premises.

For example, if a floor is wet from a recent spillage, or even from a regular cleaning routine, signs normally need to be erected to alert customers and visitors to the hazard.  If insufficient (or no) warning of the danger is provided, a claim by an injured party will normally be possible.

Landlord’s responsibility to tenants

If you are a tenant who has been injured by defects in a property rented out to you by a landlord, you may be entitled to make a claim against the landlord.

This is a complex area because the law considers negligent construction/repair/maintenance work carried out on the property before the tenancy began as well as defects that arise during your time as a tenant.

If you'd like further advice please contact one of our advisers please email us, use the contact us page, or simply call 08000 328 328.