Public Liability Claims: Get Compensation Today
In this guide, we explain what a public liability claim is and when you could receive compensation. We also explain how our team of specialists No Win No Fee solicitors can help you.
Below, you can find information on compensation payouts, the claims process, and how a solicitor can help.
If you have more questions, please feel free to get in touch. We offer free legal advice and a free evaluation of your claim and eligibility, plus a highly-rated No Win No Fee claims service. To get started:
- Call on 0800 073 8804
- Start your claim online
- Use the live chat feature for instant support
Select A Section
- What Is Public Liability?
- Could I Make A Public Liability Claim?
- What Types Of Accidents Can Happen In Public Places?
- What Evidence Do I Need For My Public Liability Claim?
- Compensation Payouts In Public Liability Claims
- Make A Public Liability Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis
- Learn More About Public Injury Claims
What Is Public Liability?
Public liability is an area of law that covers personal injuries sustained due to the negligence of someone in control of a public area. For example, if you have an accident in a gym because the party in control of the space breached the duty of care they owed, you may be able to make a public liability claim.
The same can apply to outdoor spaces such as caravan parks or campsites, and public parks. Businesses and venues may take out public liability insurance. This means that if your claim succeeds, your compensation will come from their insurance provider and not directly from the controller of the space themselves.
We will explain more about the criteria for making a public liability claim in the following section. Or, to start your claim, get in touch with our team of advisors. They can offer free legal advice and can evaluate the eligibility of your claim.
What Is Public Liability Insurance?
Public liability insurance is a type of insurance that provides financial cover for individuals, businesses and organisations whose business comes into contact with members of the public. It is intended to cover them in case one of those people is injured due to negligence.
Could I Make A Public Liability Claim?
In order to make a public liability claim, you must be able to prove that your injuries were caused by negligence. This means that:
- You were owed a duty of care
- This duty was breached
- Because of this, you were injured
The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 states that all visitors of spaces that the public can access are owed a duty of care by the controller of the space. This means that the controller must take steps to ensure the reasonable safety of visitors while they are there. If they fail to do so, and you are injured, this is negligence.
Is There A Time Limit To Make A Public Liability Claim?
It’s also important to ensure that your claim is started within the time limit. Under the Limitation Act 1980, this is usually three years from the date of the accident. However, there are some exceptions to the time limit. Our advisors can offer more information on these exceptions when you get in touch.
What Types Of Accidents Can Happen In Public Places?
When you are in a public space, you are owed a duty of care by the controller of that space. Should they breach this, and you suffer an injury as a result, you might be eligible to make a public injury claim.
Examples of accidents that could occur in a public space include:
- A slip, trip and fall could occur, which can result in a sprained ankle. This could occur in a supermarket if liquid is spilt on the floor and the supermarket does not have an adequate policy in place to deal with the risk.
- A restaurant may not have adequate allergen information displayed, which could result in an allergic reaction.
- Faulty gym equipment could result in a crush injury. The person in control of the gym may fail to check the equipment for faults resulting in its continued use.
- Falls in a shop
- Accidents in public places, such as falling on uneven pavements
- Falls in buildings caused by inadequate lighting conditions
- A slip, trip or fall in a car park that hasn’t been gritted against ice
You can have different types of accidents while out in public that cause a variety of injuries, such as slips, trips, and falls on icy pavement that could lead to a broken hip or fractured wrist. Or falling down the stairs in a multi-story car park could lead to a serious head injury, in addition to other injuries.
If you have any questions about public liability claims, please contact an advisor from our team.
What Evidence Do I Need For My Public Liability Claim?
There are various aspects of your public liability claim that you may need to prove. For example, it’s important that you can prove your injuries were caused by negligence. As such, it can be helpful to gather evidence to support your claim, such as:
- CCTV footage: Many businesses and public places have CCTV systems installed. You may be able to request footage of your accident or the circumstances that led up to it in order to support a claim for negligence.
- Witness contact details: The contact details of potential witnesses can help as they ensure that statements can be taken by a professional at a later date.
- Photographs: Photographs of the accident site or of your injuries can also be helpful in supporting your case.
- Medical records: Medical records can be helpful in proving the extent of your injuries, the treatment you will need and how this may affect your life.
A solicitor may be able to help you in collecting this evidence. They can also help you ensure that all areas of your claim are covered. To find out if one of our solicitors could help you, get in touch with our team today.
Compensation Payouts In Public Liability Claims
Compensation payouts in public injury claims can vary from case to case because each claim has its own individual circumstances. If your claim succeeds, you could receive up to two heads of compensation: general damages and special damages.
General damages cover the pain and suffering you go through because of your injuries. When calculating awards for this head of claim, solicitors and other legal professionals can refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG, 17th edition, published in 2024). This document provides settlement guidelines for a number of illnesses and injuries, some examples of which you can find below.
| Injury | Compensation Bracket |
|---|---|
| Severe Hip and Pelvis Injury | £47,810 to £159,770 |
| Severely Disabling Elbow Injury | £47,810 to £66,920 |
| Severe Shoulder Injury | £23,430 to £58,610 |
| Wrist | Between £4,310 and £73,050 |
| Serious Hand Injury | £35,390 to £75,550 |
| Severe Leg Injuries | £33,880 to £165,860 |
| Very Severe Ankle Injuries | £61,090 to £85,070 |
| Serious Foot Injuries | £30,500 to £47,840 |
| Less Severe Facial Scarring | £21,920 to £59,090 |
| Serious Toe Injuries | £11,720 to £16,770 |
Can I Claim For Financial Losses?
Any financial losses caused by your injuries could be claimed back under special damages. This head of claim allows you to be reimbursed for costs and losses such as:
- Loss of earnings
- Home adjustments
- Care costs
- Medical bills
- Prescription costs
- Mobility aids
It’s important to provide evidence of these losses if you wish to claim for them. Because of this, retaining any invoices, bills, or receipts that are related to your injuries can be beneficial. To learn more about what you could receive if you make a successful public liability claim, get in touch with our team today.
Make A Public Liability Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis
One of our personal injury solicitors with experience in public liability claims could offer their legal services to you on a No Win No Fee basis. In particular, they might offer a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). With a CFA, you usually do not need to pay any upfront fees to your solicitor, nor do they ask for any ongoing fees as your claim progresses.
Usually, the only fee you have to pay under a CFA is a success fee, and this is only if your claim succeeds. This fee is taken directly from your compensation, though the amount has a legislative cap to help ensure that you keep the majority of your award.
Contact A Public Liability Injury Claim Specialist
Get in touch with our team today to find out if one of our solicitors could help you make your claim. An advisor from our team could give you free legal advice and evaluate your claim through a free consultation.
If they consider your claim to be valid, they may then connect you to one of our solicitors. To get started:
- Call on 0800 073 8804
- Start your claim online
- Use the live chat feature for instant support
Learn More About Public Injury Claims
For more helpful articles on personal injury claims, we recommend:
- Betting Shop Personal Injury Claims
- Tattoo Injury Claims
- Making A Personal Injury Claim Against A Company That Was Dissolved
Or, for further resources:
Get in touch with our team today to see if you could start a public liability claim.
