You can claim compensation for a slip, trip or fall if someone else's negligence caused it — for example a shop that left a spillage, or a council that failed to repair a dangerous pavement. The key is the Occupiers' Liability Acts, which require those in control of a place to take reasonable care for visitors' safety. You normally have three years to claim, and good evidence taken at the time (photos, accident-book entry, witnesses) makes all the difference.
A fall can be far more serious than people expect — a fractured wrist, a broken hip, a head injury or weeks off work. If you slipped on a wet supermarket floor, tripped over a broken paving slab, or fell because a handrail was missing, you may be entitled to compensation. But not every fall leads to a claim: the law asks whether someone who was responsible for that place failed to take reasonable care. This guide explains how slip, trip and fall claims actually work in the UK. We are an independent information service, not a law firm, and we signpost you to regulated solicitors.
When is a slip or fall someone else's fault?
Most slip and fall claims rest on the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 (and the 1984 Act for trespassers), which says that whoever is in control of premises — the "occupier" — owes a common duty of care to take reasonable steps to keep lawful visitors reasonably safe. For accidents at work, the employer's duties under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 and related regulations also apply. (Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own equivalent occupiers' liability legislation, but the principle is similar.)
"Reasonable care" is the crucial phrase. An occupier does not have to guarantee that no one ever falls; they have to act reasonably. So the questions are usually:
- Was there a hazard (a spillage, an obstruction, a defect, poor lighting, a lack of warning signs)?
- Did the occupier know, or should they have known, about it?
- Did they fail to deal with it in a reasonable time, or fail to warn you?
- Did that failure cause your injury?
If a supermarket has a cleaning and inspection system that is followed properly, a one-off spill that is cleared promptly may not give rise to a claim. But if a spillage sat for an hour with no warning cone and no inspection, that points to negligence.
Common places slip and fall claims happen
Different locations mean different defendants and different insurers:
| Location | Typically responsible | Common hazards |
|---|---|---|
| Shop / supermarket / restaurant | The business (occupier) | Wet floors, spillages, trailing cables, unmarked steps |
| Pavement / public footpath | The local highway authority (council) | Raised or broken paving slabs, potholes, tree roots |
| Workplace | The employer | Wet floors, poor housekeeping, obstructions, bad lighting |
| Rented home / communal area | The landlord or managing agent | Faulty stairs, missing handrails, defective flooring |
| Gym / leisure centre / car park | The operator (occupier) | Wet changing-room floors, loose mats, uneven surfaces |
Pavement claims deserve a special note. Councils are not automatically liable for every trip: under highways law they have a defence if they can show they had a reasonable system of inspection and repair in place. In practice, many highway authorities will only consider a claim where the defect exceeds a certain depth (commonly around 25mm / one inch), so measuring and photographing the defect is important.
The evidence that makes a slip or trip claim
Slip and trip claims are won or lost on evidence — and hazards disappear fast. A spill is mopped up; a broken slab is repaired; the cleaning rota is "updated". The single most useful thing you can do is gather proof straight away:
✓ Do this at the scene if you safely can
Photograph the hazard before it's cleaned or fixed (with something for scale, like a coin or shoe, for a trip defect). Report it and ask for an entry in the accident book. Get the names and phone numbers of any witnesses. Note whether there was CCTV. Keep the shoes and clothing you were wearing.
- Photos and measurements of the hazard and the surrounding area.
- Accident-book entry (shops, workplaces and many public venues must keep one) — ask for a copy.
- Witness details — independent witnesses are persuasive.
- Medical records — see your GP or attend A&E so your injuries are documented from the start.
- CCTV — ask the occupier to preserve footage; your solicitor can formally request it.
- Receipts and records of any financial losses (lost earnings, prescriptions, travel, care).
Time limits for a slip and fall claim
As with other injury claims, you usually have three years from the date of the fall to start a court claim. In England and Wales this comes from the Limitation Act 1980; Scotland and Northern Ireland apply their own three-year limits under, respectively, the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973 and the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. For children, the clock generally starts at adulthood. Read our guide to claim time limits for the detail, and note that a missed deadline almost always ends a claim for good.
What if the fall was partly my fault?
You can still claim even if you were partly responsible — for example if you were hurrying, wearing unsuitable footwear, or distracted — but your compensation may be reduced for contributory negligence. The court (or the insurer in negotiation) decides a percentage reduction reflecting your share of the blame. If, however, the hazard was obvious and easily avoidable and no one else was at fault, there may be no claim at all. An honest assessment of fault is exactly what a solicitor provides at the outset.
What compensation covers
Compensation for a slip, trip or fall has two parts. General damages reflect the injury itself — the pain, suffering and loss of amenity — and are guided by the Judicial College Guidelines and comparable past cases. Special damages reimburse your actual financial losses: lost earnings, treatment, travel, care and any future losses. A wrist fracture that heals well sits at the lower end; a serious hip fracture or head injury, with lasting effects and time off work, can be worth considerably more. Only a solicitor reviewing your medical evidence can value your specific claim. See our how compensation works guide for more.
Getting help
We are not a law firm. We don't take on claims, sell your details or recommend particular firms. To find and check a genuinely regulated personal injury solicitor, use the Solicitors Regulation Authority register (England & Wales), or the relevant Law Society "Find a Solicitor" service; in Scotland use the Law Society of Scotland and in Northern Ireland the Law Society of Northern Ireland. Citizens Advice offers free, impartial guidance on your rights.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim for a slip, trip or fall that was my own fault?
A claim only succeeds if someone else was at least partly negligent — a shop that left a spillage, a council that failed to repair a dangerous pavement. If you were partly to blame you may still recover reduced compensation under contributory negligence, but if the hazard was obvious and avoidable and no one else was at fault, there's usually no claim. A solicitor can assess fault on the facts.
How long do I have to make a slip and fall claim?
Generally three years from the date of the fall. England & Wales apply the Limitation Act 1980; Scotland and Northern Ireland apply their own three-year limits. For children, the three years usually run from adulthood. Because evidence disappears quickly and the deadline is strict, act early.
What evidence do I need?
Photographs of the hazard taken at the time (with something for scale on a trip defect), an accident-book entry, witness contact details, your medical records and any CCTV. For pavement trips, measurements matter, as councils often only accept liability where a defect exceeds a set height. Report the incident and gather evidence quickly before the hazard is cleaned up or repaired.
Who do I claim against?
Whoever was responsible for the place where you fell — the occupier. That could be a shop, pub, gym or restaurant; a landlord; your employer; or the council for a pavement or public footpath. Their public liability insurer usually handles the claim. A solicitor will confirm the correct defendant.
Get help from official, free sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — check a solicitor is regulated
- The Law Society — Find a Solicitor — accredited PI specialists
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial guidance on your rights
- GOV.UK — courts, time limits and official claim portals
Related guides: dog bite claims, how to make a claim, how compensation works, and no win, no fee explained. Where you live affects your claim — see England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland.