What is a slip, trip or fall at work compensation claim?

A slip, trip, or fall at work compensation claim is a legal process in which an employee seeks financial compensation for injuries they may have suffered due to a slip, trip, or fall caused by their employer’s negligence.

Your employer has clearly defined health and safety regulations they must adhere to and implement for the safety of their employees. If you have suffered an injury because this duty of care has been breached, you may have a legal right to pursue compensation.

According to the Health and Safety Executive’s latest figures, over 31% of all work-related accidents involve slips, trips, or falls, saying, “Statistics show slipping and tripping to be the single most common cause of major injury in UK workplaces, and they are often the initiators of accidents attributed to other causes, such as some machinery accidents, scalding and falls from height.”

When can I make a slip, trip or fall at work compensation claim?

You can make a claim for a slip, trip or fall at work if you were injured as a result of your employer’s negligence.

In most cases, you will have up to three years from the date of the accident to start your claim.

The most common types of slips, trips or falls in the workplace are caused by;

• Wet floors, especially when signage is incorrectly positioned or not present
• Spillages not cleaned up appropriately
• Spillages not signposted adequately
• Uneven or damaged floors
• Unexpected obstacles in walkways
• Poor lighting
• Lack of handrails or guardrails for stairways
• Defective or faulty workplace equipment or machinery

Our specialist accident at work solicitors have over three decades of experience successfully representing clients who have slipped, tripped or fallen at work and have been injured through no fault of their own. Speak to us today and start your no win no fee claim.

What are my employer’s legal responsibilities for protecting me from slips, trips or falls at work?

Your employer is legally responsible for adhering to the health and safety guidelines in the Health and Safety at Work Act.

As part of this legal responsibility, they are obligated to protect employees from the potential risks of slips, trips, or falls by maintaining a safe environment through regular risk assessments and the implementation of preventive measures. This includes providing training and adequate first aid facilities and support in the event of accidents.

Such responsibilities could include but are not limited to;

• Conduct regular risk assessments of the workplace, recognising potential issues before they may arise
• Keep the workplace clean and tidy, including, especially in relation to slips, trips or falls, to ensure floors are free of obstructions and are not slippery
• Display hazard warning signs for slip risks such as wet floors
• Install handrails, and anti-slip flooring and guardrails where needed
• Provide necessary personal protective equipment such as anti-slip footwear
• Provide adequate training, particularly if you’re working at a height
• Regularly inspect and maintain equipment
• To secure ladders, scaffolding, and tools
• Ensure other employees follow recognised safety practices

How much compensation can I claim for a slip, trip or fall at work?

The amount of compensation you can claim for injuries caused by a slip, trip or fall at work will depend on how serious your injuries are and how they may have affected your life. There is no set compensation amount, as every claim is assessed individually.

Compensation amounts for slip, trip or falls at work claims are calculated by combining the amounts you may be legally entitled to for general and special damages.

The amount of compensation you can claim for general damages will depend on the part of your body you have injured, the severity of your injuries and the pain, suffering and loss of amenity you may have experienced.

General damages are calculated from the Judicial College Guidelines. These guidelines are used as a reference point for accurately valuing the amount of compensation you may be legally entitled to claim.

Additionally, you can claim compensation for special damages, which takes into account the loss of income and expenses you may have incurred because of your slip, trip or fall.

The amount of compensation you may receive for special damages may include, but is not limited to:

• Any loss of income or potential future income, including pensions
• Any medical costs associated with your injury, including rehabilitation and ongoing medical treatment
• Any costs related to adaptations you may need to make to your home
• Any costs for the care you may have or will need to receive, even if a family member or friend provides this
• Any out-of-pocket expenses you or anyone who has cared for you may have incurred
• Any travel and motor expenses, including the cost of travel to and from appointments and parking costs

How long after a slip, trip or fall injury at work can I claim?

In most cases, you will have three years from the date the accident took place or the date you became aware of your injuries. For the latter, your injuries will need to be diagnosed by a medical professional.

The three year period is set by the Limitation Act 1980. However, there are exceptions.

The three-year time limit does not apply if the injured person is mentally incapacitated. The time limit will be extended indefinitely until the person regains mental capacity, or it is decided that someone will claim on their behalf.

If claiming on behalf of a child, you can start the claim at any point until their 21st birthday.

Can I make a no win no fee slip, trip or fall at work compensation claim?

Yes, all clients represented by Beacon Law are represented on a no win no fee basis. Often known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), no win no fee provides reassurance to those who have suffered an injury that they will be at no financial risk when making a claim.

As part of our no win no fee agreements, clients are protected from any upfront legal costs or hidden charges and can focus on recovering from their injuries without the stress of any financial risk.

A fee, sometimes known as a success fee, will only be paid once your claim is successfully settled. The amount is usually a small percentage of the total compensation amount and will be agreed between us before legal proceedings begin. This payment is to compensate your solicitor for their time and work put into assisting on your case.

In some cases, we recommend that an After The Event (ATE) insurance policy is taken out. This protects you in the rare instance that the claim is unsuccessful. An ATE policy means you have no upfront costs and nothing to pay if you lose the case.

Beacon Law provides complete transparency with how we charge our clients. All fees and costs will be explained at the beginning of the claim.

How much does it cost to make a no win no fee slip, trip or fall at work compensation claim?

Our no win no fee legal services for slips, trips and falls at work claims mean there are no upfront costs, and you will not pay a penny if your claim is unsuccessful.

If your claim is successful, the person you are claiming against will usually pay the majority of the legal costs, and you will only have to pay the agreed fee at the beginning of the claim process. Typically, this fee is less than 25% of the compensation you may receive.

If you are a member of a trade union, you may be able to receive free legal advice and representation as part of your membership.

What evidence do I need to make a trip or fall at work compensation claim?

To make a successful slip, trip or falls at work claim, you will need to provide evidence to show that your employer’s negligence caused your injuries and that your injuries have had a negative impact on your daily life.

To support your claim for compensation, our solicitors may ask for the following information when you contact us.

• A copy of the accident report that was filed in your company’s accident report book
• Witness statements from colleagues or anyone who saw the accident and are happy to provide a statement
• If available, photographs or video of the accident scene, including CCTV footage
• Any information, such as workplace safety records or evidence that risk assessments were not conducted or maintenance of equipment was not carried out to the legal requirements
• Investigate if there have been any similar accidents or complaints that may be relevant to your accident
• Medical records from your GP or hospital you may have visited after the accident, including any treatment you may have received or are currently receiving
• Records of any financial losses incurred because of your accident

Do not worry if you do not have all of this information. Our employer liability solicitors can help compile this information on your behalf which will help to build the most comprehensive case possible to support your claim.

However, to help our solicitors gather as much evidence as possible to support your case, we recommend that you start your claim as soon as possible after your accident took place.

Can I claim for a slip, trip or fall at work even if I’m partly at fault?

Yes, you can still claim for compensation even if you were partly at fault for the accident. Contributory negligence or split liability recognises that more than one party can be to blame.

In these instances, you may still be able to claim compensation where your employer may only be partly to blame. However, the compensation amount may be reduced to reflect your share of the blame.

For example, if it is agreed between both parties that liability is split equally, only 50% of the compensation amount would be awarded.

How long does a trip or fall at work compensation claim take?

Compensation claims for slips, trips or falls at work can take anywhere from a few months to over a year to settle. The length of time your claim may take to settle will depend on the complexity of your case.

As a general guide, the amount of time a claim may take to settle depends on how easily liability can be established and how quickly both parties can agree on an accurate amount of compensation to be awarded.

Can I be sacked if I make a trip or fall at work claim?

No, you will not risk losing your job if you make a claim against your employer for a slip, trip or fall.

UK employment law is very clear on this matter and protects employees from unfair treatment. Your employer can not dismiss you for claiming them.

Additionally, they can not create a working environment that may cause you to resign. If any of these examples occurred, you would have the right to bring a constructive dismissal claim.

Who pays the compensation for a slip, trip or fall at work claim?

In most cases, the employer’s liability insurance pays the compensation awarded to an employee if they have successfully proved their employer was negligent in their duty of care.

During the claim process, it is common for negotiations to take place between the insurance company and the solicitors representing the injured party.

Can I claim for a slip, trip or fall at work if I’m on a zero-hour contract?

Yes, your legal rights are the same as all other types of employment, even if you are on a zero-hours contract. Your rights to a duty of care from your employer remain. Therefore, if your employer’s negligence has caused you to suffer an injury, you have the legal right to claim compensation.

Can I claim for a slip, trip or fall at work if I’m self-employed?

Yes, the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 protects self-employed contractors by placing a duty of care on those in control of work premises to ensure a safe working environment, including for both contractors and freelancers. The employer has a duty of care to protect all those in the workplace, regardless of the environment.