I agree for National Accident Helpline to contact me.

CLOSE

Speak to us now on 0800 376 0150 or request a call back

I agree for National Accident Helpline to contact me.

Understanding Stair Accidents

What are the most common causes of accidents on stairs?

Some of the common causes of fall accidents on stairs are:

  • Worn carpets
  • Wet steps
  • Polished tiles
  • Items left on stairs
  • Slippery stairs caused by snow or ice

Stair fall accidents can also happen where the stairs have not been constructed in line with  UK building regulations. This may be where the height or depth of steps aren't compliant with the regulations, or where a handrail hasn't been fitted.

Some common injuries that you can suffer from falling down the stairs are:

If you've suffered from any of these injuries from falling down steps or stairs and it was someone else's fault, you may be eligible to make a fall accident compensation claim. Call us today on 0800 047 3014  for free and confidential advice.


Watch James' story:

James fell through rusted steps and his injury has caused a life-long impact. National Accident Helpline helped make it right.

James fell through rusted steps and his injury has caused a life-long impact. National Accident Helpline helped make it right.

Your Eligibility and Liability

If you've sustained injuries from falling down stairs and it wasn't your fault, you may be eligible to make a fall accident compensation claim.

Our expert fall accident claims advisors can let you know if you're eligible for compensation. Simply contact us on 0800 047 3014 or request a call back at a time that's best for you.


Every claim is different, but generally, you need to have settled your claim, or court proceedings must have started, within three years of the date of the incident or diagnosis. This is subject to some exceptions:

  • If the person who fell down the stairs is under 18, you can claim on their behalf at any time until their 18th If no claim is made within that time, they can make a falls accident claim as an adult at any time until their 21st birthday - the claim must settle or have court proceedings begin within this timeframe.
  • If a person does not have the capacity to make a claim, there is no time limit to make a claim on their behalf. However, if at any point they regain capacity, even briefly, the three-year time limit starts from the time that this happens. Medical evidence is required to show lack of capacity, and this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.
  • If the person you're claiming for has passed away, the three-year time limit starts from the date of their passing or from the date it was discovered that the accident was the cause.

It's best to claim as soon as possible so that your memory is fresh, and evidence is recent and easier to gather.


Responsibility for your stair fall accident will be determined by the location of the stairs you fell down, for example:

  • The fall may have happened at home due to carpets or floor fastenings being fitted incorrectly, which made tripping more likely. If this is the case, then the professional fitter who was employed to fit the carpet, will likely be responsible for your fall accident injuries.
  • If you fell in a public place like a shop or restaurant, you may be able to make a falls claim against the owner of the establishment.
  • If you fell down the stairs at work, your employer may be responsible for your stair fall.

You can claim on behalf of someone else in limited circumstances, for example where they're under 18, lack the capacity to make a claim in their own right, or have passed away.

To find out more, please visit our claiming on behalf of someone else page.


Workplace Stair Accidents

Can I claim for falling down stairs at work?

Your employer has a duty of care to ensure your safety in the workplace. This is a legal obligation set out by the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

If your employer fails in this legal duty, you may be able to claim for employer negligence. You may be able to make a fall accident compensation claim if:

  • Your employer failed to uphold their duty of care.
  • You fell down stairs because of employer negligence.
  • You suffered serious injuries from your stair accident.

You may be concerned that making a fall accident claim against your employer will affect them financially. Don't worry. Your employer must have insurance by law, and your compensation will be paid by their insurer.

It's important to speak to an experienced personal injury solicitor to improve your chances of winning your case, and to ensure you get the fall accident compensation you deserve. We select fall accident claims solicitors from a panel of accredited experts, so you know you're in safe hands.


Compensation and Claims Process

How much compensation could I receive for injuries caused by falling down stairs?

Every fall accident claim is different, and depends on your personal circumstances, so we can't give you an accurate compensation figure at the outset.

Fall accident compensation is calculated according to the physical, psychological and financial impact the injuries have had on your day-to-day life. It's split into two types of damages:

General Damages

General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity caused by your slip and fall accident.

Special Damages

Special damages cover any direct financial losses you've incurred because of your fall accident, such as medical expenses, past and future loss of earnings, adaptations and travel costs.

Your specialist personal injury solicitor will refer to the Judicial College Guidelines to calculate how much you might receive in general damages. 

Whilst we can't give you an accurate fall accident claim compensation figure at the outset, our compensation calculator below can give you an estimate. Alternatively, contact the team for information and advice.


Compensation Calculator

70% Complete

Compensation Calculator

We’ll calculate your compensation in a few minutes.

You might be unsure of whether you're eligible to make a claim. Give our expert advisors a call on 0800 047 3014 and they can help. There's no pressure to make a fall accident claim if you are eligible though - that's entirely your choice.

If you decide to proceed with a fall accident claim, we'll connect you with a specialist solicitor best suited to your situation, so you can be sure you're getting the best possible advice.


At National Accident Helpline, we specialise in no win no fee  claims, which essentially mean that there's no financial risk to you if you stick to the terms of the agreement. If you lose, you pay nothing. If you win, any costs and your solicitor's success fee, are taken from your compensation. Your solicitor will help you take out an insurance policy that has no upfront cost, that covers all your costs and expenses such as medical report and barrister's fees.


All stair fall accident claims are different, but generally the compensation claim process will follow these steps:

  1. The process begins from the moment you contact us. Give us a call on 0800 047 3014, complete our online form or request a call back.
  2. Our expert advisors will assess the circumstances of your stair fall accident and let you know whether your fall accident claim has a good chance of success.
  3. If you decide to proceed with a claim, we'll refer you to a specialist personal injury solicitor.
  4. Your fall accident claim solicitor will help you to gather the evidence you need to support your claim. This will involve compiling things like medical records, CCTV footage and witness statements.
  5. Your personal injury solicitor will present your case to the other side. If they accept liability for your stair fall accident, negotiations will begin, to get a fair compensation amount. If they reject liability, your evidence will be presented to move the case forward.
  6. Most cases don't go to court, and your fall accident claims solicitor will do everything they can to resolve your case without going to court. If a hearing is necessary, it is typically the case that your legal team can attend on your behalf. In the rare case you do need to attend, you'll be supported throughout the entire process.

Don't forget, you can use our compensation calculator to receive an estimate of how much you could be entitled to.


Meet the team

John Kushnick

John Kushnick

Legal Operations Director

With extensive personal injury legal and senior management experience, John oversees the optimisation of the customer journey - from the start of a claim through to final settlement.

Building Your Case

Your personal injury solicitor will do most of the work on your fall accident claim, to allow you to focus on your recovery.

There are, however, a couple of things that you can do the help with your case. Your solicitor might need evidence of the accident, like photos or witness names. The earlier you can provide this information, the better.

The duration of fall accident claims can very. It may take a few weeks to gather the evidence you need, or the other side may refuse to accept liability. You can learn more about how long your claim could take here

You'll also be invited to attend a free medical assessment, which only takes about 20 minutes. The findings will support your compensation claim and help you understand how your recovery is going.

Read more about our free medical assessments.

Our advisors have years of experience dealing with claims like yours. They'll take the time to understand your situation and listen to your concerns. If you're eligible to make a stair fall accident compensation claim, we'll connect you with an experience solicitor from our nationwide panel of accredited personal injury lawyers.


Not going to hospital after your accident doesn't mean you can't make a claim. Many people don't seek help immediately, although it can really help your case if you do. Speak to our team today to find out whether you're still able to make a claim.


Why Choose National Accident Helpline?

We'll help you with your stair injury compensation claim

Falling down stairs can cause serious injuries. According to the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA), falls on stairs claim the lives of over 700 people every year, and over 43,000 people are hospitalised annually because of stair injuries.

If you've had a stair accident caused by someone else's negligence, you could be entitled to compensation. 

  • With over years_since years' experience handling fall accident claims like yours, you know you're in safe hands.

Call us today on  0800 047 3014  or request a call back to receive free, impartial advice about making a no win no fee claim. Our friendly team will talk through your circumstances, but there's no pressure to make a claim.


Start your stair injury compensation claim today

If you're struggling to know where to start with your claim, don't hesitate to contact us for a free, no-obligation chat on 0800 047 3014.

  • Experienced - Serving the nation for over years_since years
  • Accredited - Personal injury experts you can trust.
  • Trusted - Rated 'Excellent' on Trustpilot with more reviews than any other Helpline.
  • National - Every day, we help hundreds of people across the UK who've been injured in accidents.