ACCIDENTS IN PUBLIC PLACES

How To Claim Compensation for an Injury in a Public Place

Updated July 2026

Accidents in public places are a daily occurrence, but if this has happened to you or a loved one, you may be considering claiming compensation for your injury. Public places should be safe, accessible and well-maintained for visitors and if they fail in this duty and you’re injured as a direct result of that failure, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim – often known as a public liability claim – to help you get your life back on track.

Where Accidents Commonly Occur In Public Places

Public spaces are used by thousands and when safety standards slip, hazards may quickly appear.

You may be able to claim compensation if you were injured in:

• Shops and supermarkets: including slips on wet floors, falling stock, unsafe aisles or poorly maintained entrances.
• Shopping centres: escalator accidents, defective flooring, spillages, or hazards caused by contractors.
• Public parks: uneven pathways, poorly maintained play equipment, unsafe steps or unlit areas.
• Festivals, concerts and public events: crowd crushes, trip hazards, faulty staging, inadequate security or unsafe temporary structures.
• Cafés, restaurants and public venues: spillages, broken seating, unsafe stairways or poorly lit areas.
• Car parks and communal outdoor spaces: potholes, broken kerbs, icy surfaces or damaged barriers.

Our Top Tip: Pinpoint the exact spot you were injured as it makes identifying responsibility far easier.

When Can You Claim for an Accident in a Public Place?

Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, businesses, local authorities, event organisers and landowners must take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe. If they fail to do so by ignoring hazards, failing to carry out inspections, or simply not responding to known risks, they may be legally responsible for your injury.

To make a successful public liability claim, you must be able to show that:

• The organisation responsible owed you a duty of care.
• They breached that duty by failing to maintain safe conditions.
• That breach directly caused your accident and injury.

Common examples of negligence include:

• Spillages left uncleaned for long periods.
• Damaged flooring or steps not repaired or signposted.
• Poor lighting creating hidden hazards.
• Inadequate crowd control at events.
• Unsafe equipment or temporary structures.
• Failure to grit icy paths or car parks.

Our Top Tip: Note why the hazard was avoidable for the organisation responsible for keeping visitors safe i.e. could they have fixed it?  Clear negligence strengthens your case.

Who Do You Claim Against?

The responsible party depends very much on where exactly your accident happened. Organisations are required to carry public liability insurance which means your claim is handled by insurers, not individuals or staff members involved in the accident.

Your solicitor will be able to identify the correct defendant, but typically claims are made against:

• Local councils: for accidents in parks, pavements, public walkways or council‑managed spaces.
• Retailers and supermarkets: for injuries inside shops or on their premises.
• Shopping centre operators: for hazards in communal areas, escalators, lifts or car parks.
• Event organisers or promoters: for accidents at festivals, concerts or public gatherings such as in a stadium.
• Private landowners: for injuries on privately owned public‑facing land.
• Contractors or maintenance companies: if their work created the hazard.

Our Top Tip: List every organisation present. It helps your solicitor quickly identify the correct defendant.

What To Do Immediately After an Accident

Taking the right steps early can strengthen your claim:

• Report the accident to staff, security or the local authority.
• Take photos before the hazard is removed or repaired.
• Seek medical attention even if injuries seem minor.
• Keep all receipts related to your injury.
• Speak to a specialist solicitor who can confirm whether negligence occurred.

Our Top Tip: Report the incident the same day as an official accident log becomes key evidence.

What Evidence Should You Gather to Strengthen Your Claim?

Strong evidence makes a big difference to your claim and increases your chances of success. Your solicitor will build the evidence to build a clear timeline to show exactly how the negligence caused your injury. Collect as much as possible, including:

• Photos and videos of the hazard, your injuries and the surrounding area.
• Witness details: names, contact numbers and brief statements if possible.
• Incident reports: ensure the accident is logged with the shop, council or event organiser.
• Medical records: visit a GP or A&E so your injuries are formally documented.
• Receipts and expenses: travel costs, medication, treatment fees and proof of lost earnings.
• CCTV requests: many public places have cameras that can confirm what happened. CCTV footage is generally regarded as good evidence.

Our Top Tip: Take photos immediately because hazards in public places get cleaned or repaired fast.

How to Start a Personal Injury Claim for an Accident in a Public Place

Beginning your claim is straightforward when you follow a structured process:

Get a free legal assessment: We work with experienced solicitors who offer a free, no-obligation consultation to confirm whether you have a valid claim and estimate your potential compensation.

Provide evidence: Photos, witness details, medical records and incident reports help build your case. Your solicitor can help you gather the relevant evidence.

Attend an independent medical assessment: This report outlines your injuries, recovery time and long‑term impact and is typically arranged by your solicitor.

Your solicitor submits the claim: They contact the responsible organisation or insurer, outlining liability and damages.

Negotiation or court proceedings: Most claims settle out of court, but your solicitor will represent you if litigation becomes necessary.

Our Top Tip: Start early. CCTV, witnesses and evidence are easier to secure right away.

FAQs About Public Place Injury Claims

Can I claim if I was partly at fault? Yes. Your compensation may be reduced under contributory negligence, but you can still claim.

How long do I have to claim? You usually have three years from the date of the accident.

Can I claim against the council? Yes, if poor maintenance or unsafe conditions caused your injury.

What if the hazard was temporary? You can still claim if staff failed to respond quickly or had no proper inspection system.

Do public places have insurance for this? Yes, claims are handled by insurers, not the organisation directly.

Can I claim if I was injured at a festival or concert? Yes, event organisers owe a duty of care to all attendees.

How To Get Started

If you’ve been injured in a public place, whether that’s a shop, park, shopping centre or event, you may be eligible for compensation when negligence is involved. As there are time limits and evidence may be lost, it’s always advisable to start your claim as early as possible.

If you or a loved one have been injured in a public place, contact our team today to arrange your free no-obligation consultation: call 0330 818 0038 or complete our online contact form.

About Our Legal Expert: This content is produced with oversight by Michael Jefferies, Managing Director who has over 30 years’ legal experience.

Written by Tanya Waterworth, Digital Content Writer