You may be able to make a personal injury claim if you were injured in a slip, trip or fall because another person, business, employer or organisation failed to take reasonable care.

Slip, trip and fall claims can happen in many different places, including workplaces, shops, supermarkets, pavements, car parks, public buildings, private premises and rented properties. Whether a claim is possible depends on how the accident happened, who was responsible for the area and whether the hazard should reasonably have been prevented or dealt with.

P.A. Duffy & Co Solicitors advise clients in Belfast, Dungannon and throughout Northern Ireland on personal injury claims involving slips, trips and falls. We can assess what happened, explain your options and advise whether you may have a claim.

Can I Claim for a Slip, Trip or Fall?

You may be able to claim if your slip, trip or fall was caused by negligence or a failure to take reasonable care.

A claim may be possible where the accident was caused by:

• wet or slippery floors;

• spillages that were not cleaned up;

• uneven flooring;

• damaged pavements;

• loose mats or carpets;

• poor lighting;

• trailing cables;

• broken steps;

• missing handrails;

• icy or untreated surfaces;

• obstructions in walkways;

• unsafe workplace conditions;

• poor maintenance;

• lack of warning signs.

The key issue is whether someone else was responsible for the area and whether reasonable steps should have been taken to prevent the accident.

Where Can Slip, Trip and Fall Claims Happen?

Slip, trip and fall claims can arise in many different locations.

Examples may include:

• supermarkets;

• shops;

• shopping centres;

• restaurants;

• hotels;

• offices;

• factories;

• warehouses;

• construction sites;

• schools;

• hospitals;

• car parks;

• pavements;

• public buildings;

• rented properties;

• private premises.

Different rules and evidence may apply depending on where the accident happened and who was responsible for the premises.

What Causes Slip, Trip and Fall Accidents?

Slip, trip and fall accidents can be caused by many hazards.

Common causes include:

• wet floors;

• uneven surfaces;

• loose flooring;

• damaged tiles;

• poor lighting;

• cluttered walkways;

• defective stairs;

• missing warning signs;

• icy paths;

• potholes;

• poor cleaning systems;

• inadequate inspections;

• unsafe work areas.

Not every accident will lead to a claim. A solicitor can review the circumstances and advise whether the hazard should reasonably have been identified and dealt with.

Who May Be Responsible for a Slip, Trip or Fall?

Responsibility depends on where the accident happened.

The responsible party may be:

• an employer;

• a shop or supermarket;

• a business owner;

• a landlord;

• an occupier of premises;

• a local authority;

• a contractor;

• a property management company;

• another organisation responsible for maintenance or safety.

In some cases, more than one party may be involved. A solicitor can help identify who may be legally responsible.

What Evidence Do I Need for a Slip, Trip or Fall Claim?

Evidence is important in a slip, trip or fall claim because hazards may be removed, repaired or cleaned up quickly after an accident.

Useful evidence may include:

• photographs of the hazard;

• photographs of the accident location;

• photographs of injuries;

• witness details;

• CCTV footage;

• accident reports;

• inspection records;

• cleaning records;

• maintenance records;

• medical records;

• receipts for expenses;

• proof of lost earnings.

For more information, see our guide on what evidence you need for a personal injury claim.

Should I Report a Slip, Trip or Fall?

Yes. If you are injured in a slip, trip or fall, the accident should usually be reported as soon as possible.

Depending on where the accident happened, you may need to report it to:

• a manager;

• a supervisor;

• a shop owner;

• a landlord;

• a property manager;

• an employer;

• a local authority;

• the organisation responsible for the premises.

Reporting the accident can help create a record of what happened. You should ask for a copy of any accident report if one is completed.

What If the Hazard Was Removed After the Accident?

Hazards are often removed or repaired quickly after an accident. For example, a spillage may be cleaned, a warning sign may be added or a damaged surface may be repaired.

This does not necessarily mean you cannot claim, but it can make early evidence very important.

If possible, you should:

• take photographs before the hazard is removed;

• ask for CCTV to be preserved;

• get witness details;

• report the accident;

• keep records of who you spoke to;

• seek medical attention.

A solicitor can take steps to request evidence before it is lost or deleted.

Can I Claim If I Fell at Work?

You may be able to claim if you slipped, tripped or fell at work because your employer failed to take reasonable care for your health and safety.

Workplace slips, trips and falls may involve:

• wet floors;

• poor housekeeping;

• trailing cables;

• unsafe stairs;

• defective equipment;

• lack of training;

• poor lighting;

• unsafe systems of work;

• lack of protective equipment.

For more information, see our guide on whether you can sue your employer for an accident at work.

Can I Claim If I Was Partly Responsible?

You may still be able to claim if you were partly responsible for the accident, depending on the circumstances.

For example, it may be argued that you should have seen the hazard or taken more care. However, the person or organisation responsible for the premises may still be partly liable if they failed to deal with a known or foreseeable risk.

If responsibility is shared, compensation may be reduced. This is known as contributory negligence.

For more information, see our guide on claiming if the accident was partly your fault.

How Long Do I Have to Claim for a Slip, Trip or Fall?

In many personal injury claims in Northern Ireland, the time limit is three years from the date of injury or the date of knowledge. However, exceptions can apply depending on the circumstances.

You should seek legal advice as early as possible. Waiting too long can make it harder to obtain CCTV, trace witnesses or gather records about inspections, cleaning or maintenance.

For more information, see our guide on how long personal injury claims take.

How Much Compensation Could I Receive?

The amount of compensation depends on the injury, recovery period, medical evidence, financial losses and long-term impact of the accident.

Compensation may include:

• pain and suffering;

• loss of earnings;

• medical expenses;

• treatment costs;

• travel expenses;

• care and assistance;

• future losses in more serious cases.

For more information, see our guide on how much compensation you could receive.

How Our Personal Injury Solicitors Can Help

Our personal injury solicitors can help by:

• assessing whether you may have a claim;

• identifying who may be responsible;

• gathering evidence;

• requesting CCTV where available;

• reviewing accident reports;

• obtaining medical evidence;

• calculating financial losses;

• advising on contributory negligence;

• negotiating settlement;

• issuing court proceedings where necessary.

Speak to Our Personal Injury Solicitors

If you have been injured in a slip, trip or fall and are unsure whether you can claim, our solicitors can discuss what happened and advise on your options.

For more general information, see our Personal Injury Solicitors in Belfast page.