Slips Trips and Falls Testimonials

The following testimonials are real accounts given by people who've been injured after a slip, trip or fall that wasn't their fault.

Jane Hancock, 28  from Swansea was awarded £1,100 following a fall in the parking bay of a shop:

“I am disabled with cystic fibrosis and osteoporosis so I parked in the disabled bay of a local shop.  It was winter and the ground was covered with leaves so I didn’t see the 8 inch pot hole in the ground.  I twisted my foot, pulled a ligament and was bruised black and blue.  My dad called the first claim line that came to mind – the National Accident Helpline.  The phone call was great and a solicitor contacted me who sorted out my claim within a month or two. Everything went smoothly and I received a settlement of £1,100 (which I spent on some retail therapy!).  

I’m back to normal now, and shop fixed the hole straight away so no other disabled person could get hurt.  I’m very glad I made the claim and would recommend National Accident Helpline to anybody.”

Mrs Joyce Cook from Southampton was awarded £3,500 following a trip at work

“I was working in an office and went into our warehouse to talk to someone about clearing up the mess that was left around on the floor – there were pallets and all sorts.  When I finished speaking I turned around and went flying over a metal trolley which was obstructing the walkway. It had been reported a few times and the walkway should have been clear. I was caught flat in the chest and at the hospital the x-rays showed I had extensive internal bruising from the fall.  I still have problems with my breathing and it’s really affected my health.

 I contacted National Accident Helpline after I’d seen it advertised.  The person on the phone heard my story and said they’d get straight back to me to see if I had a case and they did. The solicitor kept me in touch with what was going on and I received a settlement of £3,500.  I managed to go back to work at the same company and now I’ve retired the money’s come in handy, but I’d rather have my health.

 I don’t know if I’d have gone to a solicitor if there hadn’t been no win no fee.  I would have wanted to know what it would cost me before I went ahead with anything.”

Mrs Cook would award National Accident Helpline 5/5 for the overall service she recieved.

Steve Smith from Lincoln was awarded £2,500 following a fall at work:

“I was working in a cake factory and there was waste vegetable oil spilled on the floor. The guttering and drains were open too and there should have been covers over them. I slipped on the oil and my foot went down the drain – as I fell I put my hand out and tore the ligaments in my wrist. It was really painful and the doctor at the hospital said it can be worse than breaking the bones. The accident happened the day before I went on holiday so a week later I was back at work.
 
The company was terrible – they weren’t sympathetic at all and still didn’t do anything to cover the drains. That was what made me pick up the phone to the National Accident Helpline. They were great, really good and within an hour a solicitor called me. The service was very professional, I was given clear information at every stage. I had two months of physiotherapy which really helped me use my hand properly again, and I was awarded £2,500. I called my solicitor and gave him a big “thank you” – he was really nice and very helpful all the way through.
 
I’m glad I made the claim, but I’d feel better if the company had got the work done. The fact that they haven’t bothered shows how little they care about the welfare of their staff – they have no respect.
 
I don’t know if I’d have claimed if there wasn’t no win no fee. It depends on how much I had to pay. If it was £50 I’d say okay, but any more and it’s a gamble, a risk and we’re all strapped for cash. I think the risk of losing your own capital would sway you against claiming."

I would award National Accident Helpline 5/5 for their service.

Amanda Bridgwater, 42 from Kidderminster was awarded £2,000 after a slip at work:

“I was working in a carpet factory and the person on the shift before me hadn’t cleaned up the floor properly. I slipped on all the material and my foot hit an iron girder. At first it wasn’t too bad and I carried on working, but the next morning I couldn’t put my foot to the floor. I went to hospital and had an x-ray which showed I’d broken my toe. I had to go on sick pay for 6 weeks and I lost money.

I saw National Accident Helpline on TV and I liked the advert. They were ever so good when I called – they couldn’t have done more and kept me informed every step of the way. I received a pay out of £2,000 which I was really happy with because it helped to pay the bills.

I’m glad I claimed because it made the company more aware they need to improve conditions at work in the future. They needed better health and safety standards.”

Mrs T. Khan was awarded over £2,000 after a fall at work:

“I was working in a factory making samosas. There was grease all over the floor because it hadn’t been cleaned up the night before.  I slipped and fell on the ground – it was a bad fall because the ground was concrete and I damaged the tissues in my hips and back. I still suffer from some pain now – especially when it’s cold in winter. 

I phoned the National Accident Helpline and they were very good. They were good people – very polite and helpful.  I was put in touch with a lawyer who was very good indeed. He kept me in touch about everything – every little detail.  I got just over £2,000 and I was happy because there were no broken bones. They’ve changed things at the factory, too; now they pay attention to oil on the floor and clean it properly. I still work in the same place and they’ve been fine. I’m glad I claimed because I think it’s helped other people working there.

I don’t agree with paying a lawyer up front. I wouldn’t have gone to a solicitor in case I didn’t win the case.”

David Roberts, Sheffield, was awarded £6,300 after tripping at work:

“I was working in the warehouse when I tripped on the leg of a fan sticking out from underneath a barrier. I fractured my humerus and was taken to hospital. It was really painful. I’d never claimed for anything before, but when I called National Accident Helpline they were very helpful and put me in touch with a solicitor who was very good. My employer was very good and didn’t cause any problems.

I would definitely recommend National Accident Helpline – everything was done very quickly and I got £6,300. It was a very helpful amount of money and I managed to pass my driving test and buy a car which helped me get out and about.”

Mrs F, from Birmingham, was awarded £3,200 after a tripping accident:

“I was out shopping and used a shop lift. The lift stopped 4 inches lower than the shop floor. I tripped and really hurt myself and it really affected my day-to-day living. I wasn’t sure what the law said about this type of accident and whether I had the right to claim.  I knew there was no way I could afford to pay a solicitor any money for legal advice and to fight for my claim.  I’ve never had to claim for compensation before and was confused about it all. I saw the National Accident Helpline’s TV ad which mentions no win no fee so I made a call. The advisor was really understanding and helpful and put me through to a very good solicitor who kept me up-to date. I felt I was in safe legal hands which I could not have paid for or dealt with on my own.

National Accident Helpline helped me gain access to a no win no fee solicitor without cost to me and as a result, I was told I had the right, in law, to make a claim for compensation. I could never have done this if I had been asked to make payment to the solicitor.  I received compensation of £3,200. This has been so important to me and helped with my recovery. If my solicitor had taken some of my compensation to cover their fees, then I imagine I would have ended up owing them money."

Martina Southall, 41, Dyfed, won £1,200:

"I slipped on a wet floor in a pub where there were no warning signs. I sprained my ankle so severely that I needed an ambulance. I then needed crutches, painkillers and two weeks off work. I made a call and the helpful advisor listened to my situation and took me through how the claim process works. The local solicitor they passed me on to kept me up to date and won £1,200 compensation for me eight months later."

Andrew Philips, Rotherham, received £6,000:

"The local solicitors who handled my claim after an accident at the gym made sure I knew what was happening at every step of the way. The case was settled in my favour and I was very happy with the £6,000 compensation I received."

Karen Filey, 26, Liverpool, received £2,500 after a fall in a shopping precinct:

"I claimed against a property developer after an accident while out shopping. Moss had been allowed to build up on the pavement of a shopping precinct, which led me to fall and hurt my knee, causing bruising, a build-up of fluid and cartilage damage. I saw the online advert and phoned for advice. I can’t fault the way the advisor handled my call, getting the ball rolling while making sure I knew exactly what the next steps would be. It was really useful to then be referred to a local solicitor, so that they could keep me up to date. Everything worked out for me from making that first call through to getting my compensation."

Claire Calder, 25, Llanelli, won £4,000:

“I was in a supermarket where the floor was wet but no warning signs had been put out. I slipped on the wet floor, hurting my hip and arm and needing a visit to hospital. After seeing an advert I made a call and spoke to a helpful advisor, who explained the next steps to me. The local solicitor who handled my case phoned me regularly to keep me updated along the way to winning my case.”

Bradley 22, West Midlands, received £3,750:

"A fall on a raised paving slab left me with my arm in a sling for six weeks. When I phoned National Accident Helpline the advisor made the process simple and found a lawyer to take my case on. A straightforward medical assessment was arranged for me to look at my injuries and I only needed to have a few meetings with the lawyer before my £3,750 compensation came through."

Dawn Black 30, Swansea, was awarded £2,750:

"I walked into a shop where nothing had been done about mopping up the entrance made slippy  by the rain. The next thing I knew, I was flat on my back with a sprained arm. What if I had been a toddler or an elderly person? It was ridiculous that the shop had let it get like that. After making a call, the helpful advisor found me a local law firm who I was really impressed with. My compensation paid for the physio I needed and really benefited from, and hopefully the shop has now learned how to look after its floors."

Joan from Leeds was awarded £12,925 after a fall while shopping:

“Out shopping one day my foot went into a hole in the kerb and I was suddenly flat on the pavement. An ambulance was called and I found myself in hospital being told I had broken my shoulder and needed a replacement. After the operation my joint was heavily strapped which affected my ability to do things for myself, like driving, shopping or cleaning. After the operation I spent six weeks in strapping and had physio several times a week for the first few months. I had never thought about claiming and wasn’t out for all I could get, but I felt I ought to do something as the condition of the streets was a disgrace. I wanted to bring it to the Council’s attention and get something done."

"I phoned into National Accident Helpline and the advisor was very helpful and found me a local lawyer straightaway. The lawyer gave me a realistic picture of what could happen, how long the various steps might take, and she was thorough in everything she did. I would have given up if I had had to try and do it all myself without the lawyer. The Council settled without needing to go to court and I was able to put it all behind me. It was certainly helpful to make that call to National Accident Helpline and I would give their name to anyone who finds themselves in this sort of position.”