Slip, Trip & Fall Compensation Claims

There are several laws which are designed to protect employees whilst in the workplace, the main one being the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974).

Under the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974), all employers have a legal responsibility to ensure their employees are protected from health and safety risks in the workplace. Sadly, as the figures below demonstrate, too many employers fail to live up to these responsibilities and as a result, a significant number of slips, trips and falls happen in the workplace.

Slips, trips, and falls (not from height) are the biggest contributors to major injuries in the workplace, accounting for 29% of all non-fatal injuries that occurred in the workplace in 2019/20 and 24% of the total number of accidents that required the worker to be absent for 7 days or more. 95% of major slips, trips and falls (not from height) result in fractures and broken bones.

Slips, trips, and falls (not from height) are responsible for, on average:

• In excess of a third of all reported major injuries
• 20% of all injuries required greater than 3 days of absence from work
• 2 fatalities per year
• 50% of all reported accidents to the general public that occur in workplaces
• Cost employers approximately £512 million per annum in lost production and other costs
• Cost the NHS £133 million per annum

In the last 5 years falls from height have accounted for 8% of non-fatal injuries in the workplace and 25% of all fatal injuries sustained at work, at an average of 34 fatal injuries per year. Over half of those deaths involved a fall at work in the construction sector.

When you visit a business, such as a shop, supermarket, pub, or restaurant, they have a responsibility to ensure that you are safe whilst visiting their premises.

Slips trips and falls are by far the most common injury risk in a retail or food and drink venue, affecting both customers, visitors, and staff alike.

For private matters, the owners of premises like shops, restaurants and gymnasiums are usually covered by their own insurance and a claim is pursued under The Occupiers' Liability Act.

To minimise the risk of a customer slipping in a shop, supermarket or food & drink venue, the owners or the day-to-day management team are required to carry out a number of duties, including ensuring wet floors are signposted appropriately, aisles and walkways are kept clear from obstructions, spillages are cleaned up as soon as they are discovered, adequate lighting is provided and ensure their outside spaces, including carparks, are equally as safe.

Slips, trips and falls don't only occur when you're out and about, they can also happen when you're at home. It is perfectly reasonable to expect to be safe within your home but sadly many people in rented accommodation are not afforded that basic right. If you live in rented accommodation - whether it is owned by a private landlord, a housing association, or the local council - the responsibility for ensuring the property is safe and properly maintained is entirely the responsibility of your landlord, as stipulated in the Landlord and Tenant Act 1985.