Injured in Public?

Public injuries are often the result of slips and trips on pavements.

However, public injury claims can be made for a variety of injuries. For example, compensation can be claimed for injuries from slipping on ice or debris, such as courtyards of restaurants or office buildings, where it is someone else’s responsibility to keep the area safe.

Preventing public injuries

Unfortunately, there is the always the risk of an accident happening in public. You’d have to be cocooned in a protective bubble to escape all the possible risks. However, because those responsible usually keep public areas in good condition, and plan for the unexpected, serious public accidents are unusual.

Public injuries can result from accidents on public transport, in schools, in other buildings open to the public, in the street, in a park or playground, in a lift or on an escalator.

Claiming public injury compensation

If you have an accident in public, you will only be able to claim for public injury compensation if you can establish certain facts. Firstly, you will need to show that some person or authority had a duty of care in that situation - a duty to take care for your safety.

You will also need to establish that this duty has been broken. For example, leaving something dangerous in a position where it was likely to cause an injury to someone coming into contact with it would be a breach of that duty of care.

Can I claim?

Public injury is quite a complex area of law, and it is a good idea to seek specialist advice as soon as possible after a public injury.

Local authorities, highway authorities, occupiers of premises, drivers, employers and even fellow employees owe a duty of care for the safety of people who could be injured by their negligence or carelessness. Each of these duties is different, so different defences are available to the various types of injury compensation claims.

It is always important to check that the person you are claiming against has the insurance or the money to pay your public injury compensation.

Claiming compensation with National Accident Helpline™

Our personal injury solicitors are experienced in all aspects of making compensation claims, whether you have been injured in a public accident, at work or on the roads. So call National Accident Helpline™ to be put in touch with an independent specialist or claim online for compensation.