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Can I make a slip, trip or fall claim?
You may have a valid claim if someone else was responsible for the hazard that caused your accident. To succeed, you generally need to show:
1. Duty of care existed
The property owner, occupier, or employer owed you a duty to keep the premises safe.
2. Breach of that duty
They failed to take reasonable steps to prevent the hazard or warn you about it.
3. The breach caused your injury
There's a direct link between their negligence and the accident that injured you.
Important:
Not every fall leads to a successful claim. You must prove negligence - simply falling doesn't automatically mean someone is liable.
Where do these accidents happen?
Slip, trip and fall accidents can occur almost anywhere. Common locations include:
Shops and supermarkets
Wet floors, spillages, uneven flooring, trailing cables, poorly stacked displays. Retailers have a duty to inspect regularly and clean up hazards promptly.
Workplaces
Offices, warehouses, factories, construction sites. Employers must conduct risk assessments and maintain safe premises. See our workplace accident guide.
Restaurants, pubs and hotels
Wet floors in toilets, uneven steps, poor lighting, spilled drinks. Hospitality venues must maintain safe conditions for guests.
Public pavements and roads
Potholes, raised paving slabs, ice and snow. Councils have a duty to maintain public highways. See pothole and road defect claims.
Car parks
Uneven surfaces, potholes, poor lighting, ice. The car park operator is usually responsible for maintenance.
Leisure centres and gyms
Wet changing rooms, poorly maintained equipment, slippery pool surrounds. Operators must ensure member safety.
Who is liable for my accident?
Liability depends on who was responsible for the area where you fell:
- Property owners/occupiers: Shops, businesses, landlords - responsible for keeping premises safe under the Occupiers' Liability (Scotland) Act 1960
- Employers: Responsible for workplace safety under health and safety legislation
- Local councils: Responsible for public roads, pavements, and council-owned buildings
- Management companies: Often responsible for communal areas in flats or shopping centres
- Contractors: May be liable if they created the hazard during work
Claims are usually made against the liable party's public liability insurance, not them personally.
Common causes of slips, trips and falls
Wet or slippery floors
Spillages, mopping without warning signs, leaks
Uneven surfaces
Raised paving, damaged flooring, potholes
Trailing cables
Extension leads, phone chargers, equipment cables
Poor lighting
Dim corridors, broken lights, shadowed steps
Obstructions
Boxes in walkways, stock on floors, equipment
Damaged stairs/steps
Loose handrails, worn carpet, broken steps
Ice and snow
Untreated paths, car parks, entrances
Missing warning signs
No wet floor signs, unmarked hazards
What to do after an accident
1. Get medical attention
Visit A&E or your GP. Medical records are crucial evidence linking your injuries to the fall.
2. Report the accident
Tell the shop manager, employer, or property owner. Ask for it to be recorded in their accident book. Get a copy if possible.
3. Take photographs
Photograph the hazard that caused your fall, the location, any warning signs (or lack of), and your injuries.
4. Get witness details
Names and contact details of anyone who saw the accident or the hazard beforehand.
5. Keep records
Note dates, times, what happened, and keep receipts for any expenses (travel, medication, etc.).
6. Seek legal advice
Contact us for a free case review. We'll connect you with an FCA-authorised firm who can assess your claim.
What compensation can I claim?
General damages (pain and suffering)
Compensation for the injury itself. Common slip/trip injuries include:
- Wrist fractures: £3,000 - £10,000+
- Ankle fractures: £5,000 - £15,000+
- Hip fractures: £10,000 - £50,000+
- Back injuries: £2,000 - £30,000+ depending on severity
- Head injuries: Varies widely based on severity
Indicative ranges only - your solicitor will provide case-specific estimates.
Special damages (financial losses)
- Lost earnings (past and future)
- Medical treatment and rehabilitation
- Travel expenses to appointments
- Care and assistance at home
- Adaptations to your home if needed
- Damaged clothing or belongings
Most claims are handled on a no win no fee basis with capped success fees in Scotland.
Time limits in Scotland
You have 3 years from the date of your accident to start court proceedings in Scotland.
Exceptions:
- Children: 3 years from their 16th birthday
- Mental incapacity: Time limits may be suspended
- Late discovery: Time may run from when you became aware of the injury
Act quickly: CCTV footage is often deleted after 30 days. The sooner you report, the better your evidence.
Related guides
Learn more about personal injury claims in Scotland:
- Personal injury claims Scotland - our comprehensive guide
- Accident at work Scotland - workplace injury claims
- Pothole and road defect claims - council liability
- No win no fee Scotland - success fee caps explained