Making A Personal Injury Claim For A Slip Or Fall

By Author: Lucy Carter
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The following is intended as a brief guide to making a claim for compensation following a slip or trip.

How do I know if I have a claim following a slip or trip?

A slip/trip claim may arise if you have been injured as a result of a slip, trip or fall which was the fault of someone else, usually as a result of the dangerous condition of their property.

You may have been injured as a result of a slippery or wet floor, tripped on a loose wire or uneven ground and the accident could have occurred in a shop, restaurant, playground, in the street, or in a wide variety of other situations.

Public and private organisations have a duty of care to keep visitors safe, Local Authorities must keep pavements and public highways in a safe condition and employers are bound to ensure the safety of their workforce therefore if you have been injured as a result of their negligence you could have a claim for compensation.

Slip/trip accidents can be very serious and it is advisable to see your GP as soon as any injuries present themselves.

How do I make a Claim?

The first stage is to contact a member ...
... of our team who will take some basic information from you and talk you through the process.

In order to make a claim we will need to show that:

-You have suffered an injury as a result of the accident
-That the accident occurred within the past 3 years, or in the case of a child before their 21st birthday
-The accident was not your fault (though may still be able to claim if partly your fault so always speak to us for a free no obligation assessment.)

If you are unsure whether you have a claim for compensation please feel free to contact us and we will be happy to have a free no obligation chat with you to establish whether you have a claim.

It is advisable to take a photo of the defect which caused your accident and report the incident to either the Local Authority or the owner of the property as early as possible.

What will it cost me to bring a claim?

Absolutely nothing. We will take your claim on a no win, no fee basis which means you will receive 100% of the compensation you are awarded. You may also have the benefit of legal expenses insurance which we can discuss with you.

How long is my claim likely to take?

It is hard to estimate how long any claim will take. The time scale depends on a variety of factors such as the severity of your injuries, how long you take to recover from your injuries and whether liability is admitted by the other party. If your injuries are more serious it is likely that the claim will take longer - we will advise you of this as your claim proceeds.

How much compensation can I expect to receive?

Compensation for any personal injury claim can be divided into two parts:

1. General Damages

This are also known as damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity and is your claim for the actual physical injury sustained as a result of the accident. This part of your claim is valued with reference to the medical report and case law. The amount of damages you recover will depend on the severity of your injuries and how long you take to recover.

Another aspect of your claim for General Damages is the consequences the accident has had on your life as a whole. This would arise for example where you are not able to do something which you could do prior to the accident, such as sporting activities or if you were forced to miss an important event.

2. Special Damages

This is your claim for any financial losses that you suffer as a direct result of your accident. This part of the claim can include medical costs, such as prescription and over-the-counter medication charges, any claim for loss of earnings, travel expenses or damaged property.

Making a claim can also help to aid recovery and we consider rehabilitation to be an important part of every claim.

Making accident claims may seem like a daunting task but our expert claim handlers will make your claim as straightforward as possible and will support you throughout your claim. We have a national team of claims consultants who will be happy to see you in your home, at work, or even in hospital in order to explain matters further and complete the paperwork for you.

Find out now if you have a personal injury claim - simply call our freephone, 24/7 helpline number 0800 731 2586, or complete the online enquiry form for totally confidential, free, no obligation expert advice.

We offer a "no win, no fee" service and you will receive 100% of your accident compensation.
Damian Horan is head of legal services for MyClaim, specialists in dealing with accident claims.