Case Study

Wasim was walking home from work when he tripped over an uneven paving. He fell and dislocated his knee. He was taken to hospital and had to be kept in over night.

“We had just secured a new contract at work and were under pressure to finish on time. As it is only a small firm losing me from the office meant we lost 25% of the workforce. After I had my accident I discovered I was only entitled to Statutory Sick Pay which was considerably less than my normal wage”

Wasim had never had an accident before so was unsure what to do. He felt that someone should compensate him for his time off work at such a crucial time especially for the wages he had missed out on, but was unsure how to go about it, and was worried he might have to pay.

“A friend who had had a car accident a few months earlier told me about Francis Alexander. They explained the whole process to me and after I described exactly what had happened they said they could take on my case on a no win no fee basis. They arranged everything, including an appointment with a private doctor and assured me that they would try and re-claim my lost wages”

Knowing whether you actually have a case can be difficult to assess. That’s where a specialist Personal Injury Solicitor like Francis Alexander can help. If you slip on a pavement then it could be, as in Wasim’s case one maintained, by the council, and as such must be maintained in a reasonable condition.

Francis Alexander managed to arrange a visit with Wasim to the place where he tripped up to take some photos of the scene. Francis Alexander were able to establish that the pavement was in a very bad state of repair and there was a large lip that Wasim had tripped over. Francis Alexander wrote to the council who soon passed the matter on to their insurer. When Francis Alexander made the insurer disclose maintenance and inspection records for the pavement in question, they soon admitted that they should have maintained the pavement in a better state, and were liable for Wasim’s accident.

“Taking my case on a no win no fee basis meant I didn't have to pay a penny. It was a real weight off my mind. I just felt so stressed at the time and the loss of wages hadn't helped.”

If you have suffered a personal injury from an accident in a supermarket, public place or on private land and it can be proved that another person was responsible for maintaining the area where the accident occurred, then we can help you claim compensation.

Whether you tripped on an uneven paving slab or slipped on a wet floor in a shop doorway you may be able to claim compensation for the pain and suffering caused.

What is classed as a slip or tripping accident?

People regularly suffer injuries on poorly maintained roads, pavements, car parks or in supermarkets and shops or other places of business.

• Accidents on roads and pavements. Your local council has a legal duty to maintain the roads and pavements to a reasonable standard
• Accidents in shops. Shopkeepers have legal duty to ensure the safety of their customers whilst on their premises, including the car park.
• Accidents in other places. Places that are accessible to the public are also covered by laws to protect people from injury.

The most seemingly insignificant thing can often cause a very serious injury.  A wet floor in a supermarket, broken chair in a restaurant, badly lit stairs in a car park, could all lead to successful compensation claims. 

Who is entitled to make a claim for slips and tripping accidents?

You may be able to make a claim if you have an accident in a shop or supermarket, on someone else’s property or in the street or a public place.

If your slip, trip or fall was caused by a defect that shouldn't have been present, then you are entitled to make a claim for compensation if you suffered a personal injury as a result.

We at Francis Alexander Solicitors have a vast experience in handling such accident claims and will ensure that we will maximise your potential for a successful claim.