Updated on 1st April 2026. Public liability claims deal with accidents and injuries occurring in any space open to members of the public. Public liability accidents could happen in shopping centres, on streets and pedestrian footpaths, at a leisure centre, at a public park, or in numerous other locations.
As this is a very wide category, it could encompass claims for numerous different types of accidents, causing a range of different injuries. Potential accidents could involve slips, trips, and falls, faulty or damaged facilities, being struck by a falling object, burns and scalds, and even animal incidents. Injuries may potentially include broken and fractured bones, soft tissue injuries, head and brain injuries, abrasions, lacerations and other wounds.
If you have suffered an injury in a public place due to the negligent actions or inactions of a third party, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. If you are unsure whether you are eligible to make a public liability claim, want to understand the claims process, or see what you could be owed, please get in touch with our supportive team.
- Tell us about your accident via the live chat.
- Call 020 8050 4194
- Contact us using our online form.
Jump To A Section
- What Are Public Liability Claims?
- Can I Make A Public Liability Claim?
- What Are The Common Public Place Accidents?
- Places Public Liability Accidents May Occur
- Steps To Take After An Accident In Public
- Public Liability Claim Compensation Payouts
- Special Damages In Public Liability Claims
- What Is Needed To Prove Liability For An Accident In Public?
- How Long Is The Public Liability Claims Time Limit?
- The Public Liability Claims Process
- No Win No Fee Public Liability Compensation Claims
- How No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct Can Support Your Claim
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Information
What Are Public Liability Claims?
A public liability claim is a type of personal injury claim you could make if you are injured in an accident in a public space which was not your fault.
Whenever you are in a public place, the party in control of that space (otherwise referred to as the occupier) has a legal responsibility to ensure your reasonable safety. This party may be the owner of the space, or another person/ organisation in control of it. Their legal obligation to ensure your reasonable safety is referred to as their duty of care, and is set out in legislation, such as the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957.
Public places may include (but are not limited to),
- Shops and shopping centres
- Restaurants, cafes, bars
- Pedestrian walkways
- Public parks
- Gym’s & leisure centres
- Hotels
- Train stations & airports
These places may have a public liability insurance policy (discussed further in a subsequent section) to cover them if a visitor or member of the public makes a personal injury claim against them.
If you have been injured in an accident in a public place which was not your fault, you could be entitled to claim compensation. Please get in touch with our team today.
Can I Make A Public Liability Claim?
Yes, you can make a public liability claim if you were injured in an accident caused by the occupier’s negligent actions or inaction.
Public liability claims must demonstrate the following:
- Duty of care. You must show that an individual, business, or organisation (occupier) owed you a duty of care. This means you need to show that this party had a legal obligation to take steps to ensure your reasonable safety.
- Breach of duty. You need to show that this party failed to meet acceptable safety standards. They may have failed to repair or warn users of a known hazard, not safely maintain facilities and premises, or failed to carry out regular and thorough risk assessments.
- The breach caused an injury. You need to show that the breach directly led to the injury you suffered.
What Is Public Liability Insurance?
Public liability insurance is a policy held by businesses, organisations, and individuals to cover claims made by members of the public for accidents and injuries that occur on their premises. Whilst they are not legally compulsory, they are commonly held by those in control of public spaces, such as local authorities.
If the occupier holds a public liability insurance policy, your claim will be made against this, with the provider paying any compensation awarded. If they do not, your claim may be made directly against them.
An advisor could explain more about the role of eligibility in public liability claims and when you could seek compensation. Contact us today.
What Are The Common Public Place Accidents?
Common public place accidents can include slips, trips and falls, being struck by a moving or falling object, pavement accidents, and those caused by sporting or leisure activities. Common accident types may include,
- Slips, trips and falls – these can occur on dangerous footpaths that have not been properly maintained, in shops where spillages have been left unmarked, or on broken stairs where the public is allowed to use them.
- Struck by a moving or falling object – items improperly stored overhead in a shop or supermarket, or stored on faulty racking, can fall, striking a customer on the head, shoulders, back, or other parts of the body. Injuries could also be caused by debris falling from overhead construction or broken street furniture, such as benches.
- Leisure and sporting accidents – accidents could happen in gyms where equipment is not properly maintained or is faulty, in swimming pools where cracked and broken tiles are not repaired, or where participants in activities are not properly instructed and supervised.
- Pavement accidents – where potholes, broken steps, or exposed tree roots in pavements are not repaired by a local council within an appropriate amount of time, allowing an accident to occur.
This is not an exhaustive list of the types of accidents which could happen in a public place. If your accident occurred in one of these or other circumstances and someone else was at fault, you could claim compensation. Please speak to us about your case.
Places Public Liability Accidents May Occur
Public liability accidents may occur in places such as shops, streets, and parks. Below, we look at some spaces in which they could occur; these include:
- Shops and other retail spaces. Also including external premises such as walkways, pedestrianised areas, car parks, and other spaces controlled by the retailer.
- Car parks.
- Public footpaths.
- Leisure centres, gyms, and swimming pools.
- Restaurants, pubs & bars, and cafes.
- Beauty salons, hairdressers, etc.
- Hotels, B&Bs and guesthouses.
- Public parks and children’s playgrounds
Accidents and injuries could occur in these or other public spaces where the party responsible does not comply with relevant safety legislation or guidelines. Check how to make a claim by talking to us.
Steps To Take After An Accident In Public
After an accident in a public space, you can take steps such as seeking medical care and reporting the incident. Taking each of the following steps can help you make a successful personal injury claim:
- Get medical care. Your first step should be to seek medical care for any injuries sustained in the accident. This is an important step, not just to ensure that your health is taken care of, but also to begin creating evidence. You can ask your doctor, GP surgery, or hospital for copies of any relevant medical records.
- Collect evidence. You will need to gather evidence that demonstrates how your accident occurred, who was liable, and what injuries you suffered. We discuss what is required in order to prove a claim for an accident in public in a subsequent section.
- Report the accident. Retailers, hospitality businesses, and leisure centres should all have an accident report book in which any incidents may be recorded. Once you have reported it, you can request a copy of this.
- Keep records of how you have been affected. Document treatment you needed, appointments you attended, financial losses you incurred, and the effect the accident has had on you. This helps to illustrate the wider impact beyond the injury itself.
- Talk to a personal injury solicitor. A solicitor could help you to build the strongest compensation claim possible, and help guide you throughout the entire process, easing the stress off of you.
One of our advisors could help guide you through the steps you can take after an accident in public. Contact them today.
Public Liability Claim Compensation Payouts
Public liability claim compensation payouts will take into account the injuries suffered, their severity, and any associated financial losses.
Any physical or psychological injuries suffered would be compensated under the head of claim known as general damages. Those valuing your claim for this can make reference to the Judicial College (JCG). This is because this document contains compensation guidelines for various injuries. We have used some of these guidelines in the table below, aside from the first figure, which is not from the JCG. Please use our table as a guide only.
| Injury | Notes | Compensation |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple severe injuries + special damages | Most severe injuries and special damages for lost income, medical & care bills. | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Brain damage - Very Severe | With some ability to follow basic commands but requiring full-time nursing care. | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Back injury - Severe (i) | With severe nerve root and spinal cord damage. | £111,150 to £196,450 |
| Neck injuries - Severe (i) | Those associated with an incomplete degree of paraplegia. | Around £181,020 |
| Hip injury - Severe (i) | Extensive fracture of the pelvis plus ruptured bladder, dislocated lower back or other harm. | £95,680 to £159,770 |
| Knee injury - Severe (ii) | Fracture extending into the knee. | £63,610 to £85,100 |
| Ankle injury - Moderate | Torn ligaments and fractures with less serious disability. | £16,770 to £32,450 |
| Achilles tendon - Moderate | Significant tendon injury or partial rupture. | £15,370 to £25,710 |
| Leg injury - Less Serious (ii) | Simple femur fracture. | £11,120 to £17,180 |
| Elbow injury - Moderate or Minor (ii) | Recovery taking 3 years. | Up to £15,370 |
Please contact us for more information on how compensation is calculated in public liability claims.
Special Damages In Public Liability Claims
Special damages in public liability claims can compensate for financial losses such as lost income, therapy, and medical costs, caused by your injuries. This may include (but is not limited to):
- Lost income and related workplace benefits.
- Therapy services, such as physiotherapy.
- Medical bills.
- Care costs.
- Travel costs.
- Rehabilitation fees.
- Home modification costs.
- Fees for mobility equipment.
You must provide documentation, such as bank statements or invoices, to support your claim for these losses. A solicitor from our panel could help ensure you include any qualifying financial losses.
Can Compensation For Public Liability Claims Be Paid Early?
Compensation may be paid early to help cover necessary medical or care costs, address lost income, or pay for essential home modifications. Known as interim payments, any such funds dispersed will be deducted from your final settlement.
Interim payments may be awarded where,
- The other party (or their insurance company) has already admitted liability for the accident and resulting injuries.
- There is a strong enough body of evidence to satisfy the court that if the claim did go to trial, you would be awarded compensation.
Additionally, you must be able to demonstrate an immediate and genuine need for these funds. You may be awarded an interim payment to help meet financial losses highlighted above.
One of the solicitors on our panel could help to ensure you claim for any financial losses associated with your injuries and request an interim payment if applicable.
What Is Needed To Prove Liability For An Accident In Public?
You need evidence such as medical records, photos or videos of the accident scene, and accident reports to prove liability for an accident in public. Personal injury compensation claims require a body of evidence showing that the party you are claiming against was liable for your accident and injuries.
Evidence which may be needed to prove liability can include:
- Medical records showing what injuries you sustained (such as diagnosis, test results, etc), evidence of medical treatment, and your prognosis for recovery.
- Photos and/or video of the scene of the accident.
- CCTV footage showing how the accident happened.
- Accident reports, such as those that have been recorded in an accident report book.
- Witness contact details.
A specialist solicitor from our panel could help you to collect these (and other) forms of evidence. Contact us to learn more about how we could support you.
How Long Is The Public Liability Claims Time Limit?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, the public liability claims time limit is generally 3 years, running from the date on which the incident occurred, if the claimant is over the age of 18 and claiming on their own behalf.
There are exceptions in which this time limit may differ, such as where the person harmed was under the age of 18 at the time they were injured, or where they do not have the mental capacity to make a claim themselves.
For those under 18, the time limit does not begin until they reach 18. Where they lack the necessary mental capacity, the time limit is permanently suspended, and it is implemented only if and when they recover that capacity.
In either of these instances, you may make a claim on behalf of the injured person by acting as their litigation friend. In this role, you will be expected to act in the claimant’s best interests.
An advisor could help you further understand the public liability claims time limit. Contact them today.
The Public Liability Claims Process
If you’re not aware of how the public liability claims process works, you may feel like you don’t know where to start. That’s why we have provided step-by-step guidance on how to begin below:
- Find a Solicitor You Trust: The overarching benefit of hiring a personal injury solicitor is that they will have both the experience and resources to evaluate public liability claims and support you through the claims process.
- Send Off a Formal Letter of Claim: Once you have chosen a solicitor to work with, they will write up and send a Letter of Claim to the responsible third party’s insurers. The letter will specifically outline the negligent actions you believe have taken place and how they directly resulted in your injury.
- Investigation and Defendant Response: The insurer will be given a certain amount of time to respond to you (often 20 working days), as this gives them a pocket of time to investigate the accident and come to a decision about whether or not they are liable.
- Undergoing a Medical Assessment: An important element of the claims process that will dramatically strengthen your case is undergoing a medical assessment. This involves a medical professional examining your injuries and writing up a report of the extent of harm. In turn, your solicitor will calculate an appropriate compensation amount.
- Settlement or Court Proceedings: We want to emphasise that the majority of public liability claims are settled outside of court. However, in the rare instance where negotiations fail, a judge’s intervention may be required. Catalysts for this can include the responsible party refusing to admit liability or offering too low a settlement.
If you have any questions regarding any of the above, our advisors are more than happy to help you. Simply give them a call.
No Win No Fee Public Liability Compensation Claims
No Win No Fee public liability compensation claims enable you to take legal action with a specialist solicitor, without having to pay upfront fees for their work. Following an assessment carried out by one of our advisors, if your public liability claim meets the eligibility criteria discussed above, you may be connected to a solicitor from our panel. This solicitor could provide their services through a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
This enables the solicitor from our panel to provide their services to you without charging upfront or ongoing fees. You will also not need to pay for their services if the claim is unsuccessful.
Instead, at the end of your claim, you are charged a success fee if your claim is successful. This fee is a legally limited percentage of your compensation.
Get in touch with an advisor today to find out if you could make a No Win No Fee public liability claim.
How No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct Can Support Your Claim
No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct can support your claim by assessing your case, helping you to understand the claims process, and connecting you to an expert solicitor from our panel. These solicitors have decades of combined experience in helping people claim compensation in cases similar to yours.
No Win No Fee Lawyers Direct or a solicitor from our panel could support your claim by:
- Providing guidance on how to make a successful personal injury claim.
- Help collecting the types of evidence outlined earlier in this guide.
- Organising for an independent medical assessment of your injuries to be carried out.
- Helping you to access recovery services, including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and other services.
- Ensure your case is filed within the time limit outlined above.
- Preparing your case for court, should it progress this far. However, it is important to note that this occurs only in a small number of cases.
The solicitors on our panel can take on claims from across the country. For help with your case, please contact our team.
Contact Us
You can contact us to learn more about public liability claims or to be connected to a solicitor from our panel.
- Tell us about your accident via the live chat.
- Call 020 8050 4194
- Contact us using our online form.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can find the answers to frequently asked questions about public liability claims below.
What If You Were Partly To Blame For Your Public Place Accident?
You may still be able to claim compensation if you were partly to blame for your public place accident; however, the amount awarded may be reduced by the percentage you are said to be at fault. For example, if you were equally at fault as the other party, your compensation may be reduced by half.
Can Public Liability Claims Be Made On Behalf Of A Loved One?
Yes, public liability claims may be made on behalf of loved ones who are legally unable to claim for themselves. To do so, you must be appointed to act as their litigation friend.
Is It Compulsory For Businesses To Have Public Liability Insurance?
It is not compulsory for businesses to have public liability insurance in place. If the business does have such a policy in place, any claim may be made against this.
Will a Public Liability Claim Have To Go To Court?
It is unlikely that your public liability claim will have to go to court, as only a small minority of such cases need to do so. However, if your claim does need to go to court, a solicitor from our panel can help prepare your case.
How Long Will It Take For Public Liability Compensation To Be Paid?
How long it will take for your public liability compensation to be paid may depend on the complexity of your case, with simpler claims taking a few months to settle and more complex cases potentially taking a year to settle.
Can I Claim If I Was Technically ‘Trespassing’ When The Accident Occurred?
Yes you can potentially claim if you were technically trespassing when the accident occurred because this does not automatically invalidate the claim if the owner was negligent. In other words, whilst trespassing may complicate the claim itself, if the owner failed to cordon off a dangerous area for example, you may still have an eligible claim.
What Is The 50% Rule For Pavement Trips And Uneven Surfaces?
The 50% rule for pavement trips and uneven surfaces is a guideline used by solicitors to determine if the change of elevation in a walkway is deemed hazardous enough to warrant making public liability claims.
Am I Still Eligible If I Signed A Liability Waiver Or Disclaimer Before The Activity?
You may still be eligible if you signed a liability waiver or disclaimer before the activity because negligence can still take place.
Who Do I Claim Against If I Am Injured In A Pop-Up Shop Or At A Temporary Market Stall?
Who you claim against if you are injured in a pop-up shop or at a temporary market stall is typically the individual trader, event organiser or the land or venue owner.
What Happens If The Accident Was Caused By Another Customer, Not The Business Owner?
If the accident was caused by another customer not the business owner, you would only have a valid claim if the business was negligent in preventing the accident. For example, trained staff failed to intervene when they witnessed a customer behaving in a dangerous manner.
Will My Claim Be Rejected If I Didn’t Report It To The Staff At The Time?
No, your claim won’t necessarily be rejected if you didn’t report it to the staff at the time, however, failing to do this can significantly weaken public liability claims. This is because it makes the case much more difficult to prove.
How Long Do I Have To Wait For The Defendant To Admit Or Deny Liability?
The length of time you have to wait for the defendant to admit or deny liability is determined by the Pre-Action Protocol for personal injury claims which allows up to 3 months for the defendant to respond to the Letter of Claim.
We understand that you might require more in-depth answers to the above FAQs. If this is the case, please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly advisors.
More Information
Learn more about the types of public liability claims you could make and explore related resources below.
- Read more about personal injury claims here.
- Guidance on road traffic accident claims.
- Advice on slip, trip and fall claims.
Resources:
- View this government resource on Statutory Sick Pay.
- Find information on first aid in this NHS resource.
- View information on fall prevention in this safety campaign from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
Thank you for reading this resource on public liability claims. Please contact our team for further help and assistance.