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£80 million in compensation
If you’ve slipped on a wet floor, tripped on a broken pavement or fallen because of a hazard someone should have dealt with, you may be able to claim compensation. Our No Win No Fee solicitors help people across Manchester and Greater Manchester claim after slips, trips and falls in shops, supermarkets, workplaces, public buildings and on the street.
A fall can cause anything from a sprained wrist to a broken hip or head injury. We deal with the council, landlord, employer or business responsible and their insurers, so you can focus on your recovery.
What Is A Slip, Trip Or Fall Claim?
A slip, trip or fall claim is a personal injury claim made against whoever was responsible for keeping an area reasonably safe. The law places that duty on different people depending on where you fell:
- Shops, restaurants, gyms and other premises – the occupier has a duty under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 to take reasonable care that visitors are safe
- Pavements and roads – the highway authority must maintain public highways under the Highways Act 1980, which in Manchester is usually Manchester City Council or the relevant borough council
- Workplaces – employers must keep floors and traffic routes in good condition and free from obstructions under the Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992
- Rented homes and communal areas – landlords and management companies must repair defects they know about
To succeed, you normally need to show that the hazard existed, that the person responsible knew or should have known about it, and that they failed to take reasonable steps to fix it or warn you.
Common Causes Of Slips, Trips And Falls
We help Manchester residents and visitors after falls caused by:
- wet or freshly mopped floors with no warning signs
- spillages left in supermarket aisles and shopping centres
- cracked, raised or uneven paving slabs
- potholes, sunken drain covers and missing kerbstones
- poorly lit stairways, car parks and walkways
- loose or damaged stair carpets and handrails
- trailing cables, boxes and other obstructions
- untreated ice and snow on paths that should have been gritted or cleared
- poor housekeeping on building sites, warehouses and factory floors
Common Injuries From Slips, Trips And Falls
Falls often cause injuries as people instinctively put out their hands or land awkwardly. We regularly help clients claim for:
Can I Make A Slip, Trip Or Fall Claim?
You may be able to claim if:
- your accident happened within the last three years
- it was caused by a hazard that someone else was responsible for
- they failed to take reasonable steps to prevent it
- you suffered an injury as a result
Is there a minimum size for a pavement trip claim?
There is no fixed legal measurement. Many councils treat a raised or sunken paving slab of around 25mm (one inch) as a defect that should be repaired, but smaller defects can still be dangerous depending on where they are and how busy the area is. Councils can defend a claim by showing they had a reasonable system of inspection and repair, so evidence of the defect and how long it had been there is important.
How Our Manchester Slip And Trip Solicitors Can Help
Our team handles claims against councils, retailers, employers, landlords and businesses across Greater Manchester, including the city centre, Salford, Stockport, Trafford, Bolton, Oldham and Wigan. We will:
- assess your claim for free and tell you honestly whether you have a case
- identify the right defendant, whether a council, business or private landowner
- request CCTV, accident reports, cleaning logs and council inspection and repair records
- arrange an independent medical examination
- pursue interim payments where responsibility is accepted
- negotiate your compensation and, if necessary, issue court proceedings
Evidence That Helps A Slip, Trip Or Fall Claim
Evidence of the hazard often disappears quickly once it is cleaned up or repaired. If you can, try to gather:
- photos of the hazard, ideally with a ruler, coin or phone next to it to show its size
- the exact location, such as the street name, nearest house number or shop aisle
- names and contact details of any witnesses
- a copy of the accident report or accident book entry
- the location of any CCTV cameras, so footage can be requested before it is overwritten
- your footwear, kept as it was on the day
- medical records and receipts for any expenses
If you tripped on a pavement, you can also report the defect to the council. We can request its inspection and repair history as part of your claim.
Time Limits For Slip, Trip And Fall Claims
You normally have three years from the date of your fall to start a claim. For children, the three years starts on their 18th birthday, and a parent or guardian can claim for them before then. There is no time limit while an injured person lacks the mental capacity to manage a claim.
Because hazards are often fixed soon after an accident, contact us as early as you can.
What Slip And Trip Compensation Covers
Your compensation can include:
- General damages for pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life, assessed using your medical evidence and the Judicial College Guidelines
- Special damages for financial losses, such as lost earnings, care from family and friends, physiotherapy and treatment costs, travel to appointments and damaged belongings
Every case is different, so we value each claim individually once we have the medical evidence.
How No Win No Fee Slip, Trip And Fall Claims Work
We handle slip, trip and fall claims on a No Win No Fee basis, also called a Conditional Fee Agreement:
- there are no upfront legal fees
- if your claim is unsuccessful, you do not pay our legal fees
- if your claim succeeds, our success fee is deducted from your compensation, and the amount is agreed with you in writing before we start
We explain all potential costs at the outset, so you know exactly where you stand.
Start Your Slip, Trip Or Fall Claim Today
If you’ve been injured in a fall in Manchester or anywhere in Greater Manchester, speak to our team for free, no-obligation advice. Call 0161 6969 684, open 24 hours a day, or request a callback online.
Slips, Trips And Falls Claims FAQs
Yes, if the pavement was defective and the council failed to inspect and repair it within a reasonable time. Most pavements in the city are maintained by Manchester City Council, while those in surrounding areas are maintained by the relevant borough council, such as Salford, Trafford or Stockport.
Yes, if the store failed to deal with a spillage or hazard within a reasonable time, or failed to put out warning signs. Shops should have systems for regular floor checks and cleaning, and their records and CCTV can be important evidence.
Yes. Your employer has a legal duty to keep floors and walkways safe. Making a claim does not mean you can be treated unfairly at work, and compensation is normally paid by your employer’s insurance.
You may. If you were partly responsible, for example because you were looking at your phone, your compensation may be reduced to reflect your share of the blame, but you can still recover the rest.