I Slipped On Ice – Can I Claim Compensation?
By Cat Way. Last Updated 27th September 2023. In this guide, we explain the requirements and steps to follow if you’re looking to claim slipped on ice compensation. The winter creates wet, icy and potentially dangerous conditions across the country.
A question people often ask after slipping or falling over on ice is, “I slipped on ice, can I claim compensation”? If you were injured in this type of accident and it wasn’t your fault, you may be entitled to make a slipped on ice compensation claim.
‘I slipped on ice, can I claim compensation?’
If you have slipped over on property maintained by the council or private property and they have not taken reasonable steps, you could be entitled show the council’s liability for slipping injuries on ice and snow. Those in charge of places such as hospitals, car parks, schools, supermarkets, workplaces and shopping centres owe a duty of care to their users and staff. They are bound to keep walkways free from slip, trip and fall hazards. If this has not been done, they may have been negligent.
For information about your rights and how you could be able to make a claim, please read on. Alternatively, why not get in touch with Legal Expert today to see how we could help? You can contact us today by calling 0800 073 8804. You can also reach us via our contact page or chat feature on this page. Alternatively, you can detail your case in an email to us and we will be in touch.
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- I Slipped On Ice, Can I Claim?
- Average Payouts For Slipping On Ice
- Top Tips On Proving Claims After Slipping On Ice
- Make A No Win No Fee Claim
- Useful Links
I Slipped On Ice, Can I Claim?
If you suffered injuries when slipping on ice, you may wonder what makes you eligible to claim for a fall. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, those in control of a particular space owe visitors to that space a duty of care to ensure the reasonable safety of the space.
To be eligible to make a slip and trip claim, you will need to prove that the occupier of the space failed to comply with their duty of care and you were injured as a result.
For example, you may suffer an injury in a pavement accident if ice is not cleared or if the pavement is not gritted. As part of their duty of care, the occupier may post a warning about the slippery surface instead. You will need to prove who is responsible for ensuring the pavement is safe, such as the local authority. In addition, you will need to prove that the injuries you suffered, such as a broken wrist, occurred because the ice was not cleared or signposted in a timely manner.
A slip and fall lawyer could help you prove your claim. For example, they may help you gather evidence. We examine examples of evidence that could be submitted in a personal injury claim later. Additionally, we explain how you could have the support of a No Win No Fee lawyer.
If you have any queries while reading this guide, or if you would like to start your claim, please call our advisors for free legal advice. They’re available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
I Slipped On Ice – What Are The Claim Time Limits?
In addition to meeting the eligibility requirements, if you would like to claim for injuries suffered during your fall on ice, you must start legal proceedings within the limitation period. Typically, this is 3 years from the date you slipped on the ice. This time limit is set out by the Limitation Act 1980.
However, in certain circumstances, exceptions are applied to the time limit. These include:
- Children under the age of 18 have the limitation period paused until their 18th birthday. Before this date, a court-appointed litigation friend can begin the claim on their behalf. If a claim was not filed for them, they will have 3 years from the date of their 18th birthday to begin the process.
- Those who lack the mental capacity to make proceedings for themselves have the time limit suspended indefinitely. During this time, a litigation friend can make a claim on their behalf. Should the injured party regain this mental capacity and a litigation friend did not act for them, they will have 3 years from the date of their recovery to start a claim.
If you suffered an injury during a slip on ice and would like to know whether you are within the limitation period to start a personal injury claim, please get in touch with one of our advisors.
Average Payouts For Slipping On Ice
If your ice slip injury claim succeeds, your compensation could contain up to two heads: general damages, and special damages.
All successful personal injury compensation claimants will receive general damages. This head of claim provides compensation for your injuries, the pain and suffering they cause, and the effect they have on your future.
When solicitors and other legal professionals calculate general damages, they might refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This document offers guideline compensation brackets for a number of different injuries. Below, you can find some examples of compensation brackets for injuries that you could sustain if you slipped on ice, but please note that these are guidelines only.
| Injury | Severity | Notes | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Back Injuries | Severe (i) | Severe back injuries that involve damage to the nerve roots and spinal cord and result in very serious consequences. | £91,090 to £160,980 |
| Back Injuries | Moderate (Ii) | The muscles and ligaments in the back have been disturbed which causes backache. | £12,510 to £27,760 |
| Knee Injuries | Severe (i) | Serious knee injuries such as disruption to the joint and the loss of some mobility in the knee joint. | £69,730 to £96,210 |
| Knee Injuries | Severe (ii) | Serious leg fractures which extend into the knee joint. Symptoms include some form of permanent pain and/or discomfort. | £52,120 to £69,730 |
| Leg Injuries | Serious (iii) | Serious comminuted or compound fractures or injuries to the ligaments/joints that require pro-longed treatment. | £39,200 to £54,830 |
| Leg Injuries | Moderate (iv) | Multiple or complicated fractures, or crush injuries to one leg. Various factors such as the extent of treatment required will affect how much is awarded. | £27,760 to £39,200 |
| Wrist Injuries | (b) | A wrist injury that results in a significant disability that is permanent, however, some useful wrist movement remains. | £24,500 to £39,170 |
| Wrist Injuries | (e) | An uncomplicated Colles' fracture. | In the region of £7,430 |
| Shoulder Injuries | (b) | A dislocated shoulder with a damaged brachial plexus that causes pain in the neck and shoulder. | £12,770 to £19,200 |
| Shoulder Injuries | (c) | Limited shoulder movement due to a frozen shoulder. This will cause discomfort, with symptoms lasting for around 2 years. | £7,890 to £12,770 |
Special damages is the head of your claim aimed towards your finances. Under this heading, you can claim back the financial losses you suffer as a result of your injuries. For example, if you need to take time off work to recover from a broken bone, this could result in lost earnings. Special damages could potentially help you recoup these losses, along with the cost of:
- Travel
- Childcare
- Housekeeping
- Medications
- Mobility aids
Contact our team of advisors today to learn more about claiming compensation after slipping on ice.
Top Tips On Proving Claims After Slipping On Ice
If you have slipped on ice and seek to make a personal injury claim, you’ll need to prove that your injuries were caused by someone breaching their duty of care to you. This is why gathering as much sufficient evidence as possible could help with proving who was liable for your fall on ice and the injuries you suffered.
Evidence that you might consider gathering to help support your claim includes:
- Medical records –this could state the type of injury you suffered after slipping on ice.
- CCTV footage of the accident.
- Other photographs or videos of the accident.
- The contact details of any witnesses – this is so a personal injury solicitor, or another legal professional, can collect a statement from them at a later date.
Additionally, one of our experienced solicitors could help you with gathering evidence for your claim.
Please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our advisors if you have any questions about making a personal injury claim following a slip on ice. They could also put you in contact with one of our solicitors, who could help you with claiming personal injury compensation.
Make A No Win No Fee Claim
If you suffer an injury in a fall on ice due to negligence, you may wish to seek compensation. You could make your slipped on ice compensation claim with the
support of a No Win No Fee lawyer. They could offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). A CFA is a type of No Win No Fee funding arrangement used in personal injury claims.
This means your solicitor will typically not ask you for an upfront solicitors fee. A success fee will be deducted if your fall on ice claim succeeds. This is taken from your award and is subject to a legal cap. However, should your slipped on ice compensation claim not result in success, then you won’t be required to pay your solicitor.
Our advisors can discuss the potential of your fall on ice claim. If it seems like your slipped on ice claim has a good chance of success, then you could be connected to our solicitors. To get in touch:
- Call us on 0800 073 8804
- Contact us online
- Alternatively, use the live chat at the bottom of the screen.
Useful Links
- HSE Guidance On Winter Weather: This section of the Health and Safety Executive website includes guidance on keeping work environments safe from potential hazards created by winter weather.
- Met Office – The Snow Code: Check out this guide on the Met Office website for tips on clearing snow and ice from the pavement outside your house or a public space you’re responsible for.
- How To Complain About Your Local Council: If you are looking to make a complaint against your council, then this section of the UK Government website can provide support and guidance.
- A Guide To Snow And Ice Slips And Falls: Find out how much your slipped and fell on ice compensation claim could be worth with our guide to snow and ice slip claims.
- Slip Trip Claim Compensation: Use our slip and fall compensation calculator to find out how much compensation you could be entitled to.
- Forklift Truck Accident Claims: See this guide on claiming compensation following a forklift truck accident.
Other Useful Compensation Guides
- How Much Compensation Can I Claim for a Shoulder Injury?
- How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Hairdresser Injury?
- Hairdresser Burnt Scalp Injury from Bleach or Hair Dye
- Train Station Accident Claim
- Aldershot Personal Injury Solicitors
- Altrincham Personal Injury Solicitors
- Andover Personal Injury Solicitors
- Ashford Personal Injury Solicitors
- Ashton under Lyne Personal Injury Solicitors
- How Much Compensation Could I Receive For Slipping on A Wet Floor?
- Can I Make A Compensation Claim For a Pavement Accident?
- Spinal Injury Claims
- Restaurant Accident Compensation Claims
- I Tripped Over A Bottle Or Glass And I Was Injured
- Learn how to make a partial finger amputation claim with our guide.
- Get advice on making a spleen injury claim and find out how a No Win No Fee solicitor could help.
- Use our guide to get more information on making a kebab takeaway allergic reaction compensation claim.
We hope this guide, which covered popular questions such as ‘I slipped on ice, can I claim compensation?’, has helped. Once again, please don’t hesitate to get in touch today if you have any questions or you’re seeking help from our services.
