Public Accident & Injury Compensation Claims

What is the definition of a public injury?

Any injury that happens in a place that's accessible to the general public, be it indoors or outdoors, can be classed as a public injury. Some public accidents are no one's fault. But if a business or landowner has failed to make sure their public space is safe and you suffer an injury as a direct result, you could be entitled to claim compensation. 

Places classed as “public” include supermarkets, shops, bars, leisure centres, gyms, pavements and roads. Owners of public premises are legally required by the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 to keep their visitors safe. Local authorities and Highways England meanwhile must keep public walkways well maintained.  

What is a no win no fee claim and how does it work?

A no win no fee arrangement allows you to pursue a claim safe in the knowledge that you won't pay a penny if it's unsuccessful. There are no upfront charges to worry about and all your legal costs will be covered, including fees for courts, medical reports and barristers. If your case wins, your lawyer will have already agreed the costs with you before pursuing your claim, which will be taken from the compensation amount. So no nasty surprises!

No win no fee agreements were introduced to give people who couldn't afford legal representation the ability to claim the compensation they were entitled to.

How do I start a claim for an accident in a public area?

You can start your public accident claim in a few different ways. Simply choose the option that suits you best. 

• Speak to one of our advisors over the phone on 0800 587 0344. We're available seven days a week until late and will tell you right away whether you can make a claim. 
• Fill out our secure online form with only your name, number and accident type. We'll call you back for free.
• Use our simple injury in public place compensation calculator for an instant claim evaluation. You might be able to complete your claim entirely online, depending on your situation.

How does the public injury claim process work? 

We'll tell you right away if we think you have a legitimate claim for public injury compensation. After that, the process usually works like this: 

1. Your experienced solicitor will find out how your injury has affected you. This may involve collecting evidence such as photos and medical records. 
2. Your solicitor will notify the opposing party of your claim. 
3. The individual or organisation will admit liability or contest your claim. If they contest it, your solicitor will negotiate on your behalf.
4. If your public accident claim is successful, you'll receive your compensation and your solicitor will take a pre- arranged amount which will come out of the compensation awarded. If your case loses, you'll have nothing to pay.  

Can I make a public accident claim online?

You can, thanks to our genuine compensation calculator. Some personal injury companies use these tools just to get you to contact them - but not us. Our calculator will give you an immediate claim valuation based on the key details of your case and will also tell you whether you can pursue your claim online.

How long will my claim for an accident in a public area take?

We'll assess your public injury claim as quickly as possible to let you know if you have a case. 

The time it takes for a claim to settle can then vary based on factors such as the nature of your injury, how simple it is to gather evidence, and whether the other party accepts the blame. Rest assured your public accident solicitor will keep you updated throughout and handle all the legal work so you don't have to.

How much public injury compensation can I recieve?

Every case is different, but your public injury lawyer will do all they can to get you the full compensation you deserve. Your potential amount will be based on details such as: 

• The extent of your injuries 
• How your injuries have affected you and your family
• Loss of income as a direct result of your injuries

If your public accident claim is successful, your compensation will be paid by the other party's insurance provider. 

Is there a time limit for making a public injury claim?

Like all personal injury claims, you'll usually have a time limit of three years from the date of your public accident to make a claim for compensation. There are exceptions such as:

• Children have three years from their 18th birthday to make a claim
• If someone lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, there is no time limit unless they regain capacity

Whether you're close to the time limit or not, it's wise to contact us as soon as possible. Doing so will allow you to get compensation for your injury sooner and help with collecting accurate evidence.

How much will I pay my solicitor if I recieve?

Your solicitor will take a percentage of your compensation as a success fee and may also deduct money to cover the cost of taking out legal insurance. These costs will be capped at a level you agree to before pursuing your claim. 

Remember: if your public injury claim is unsuccessful, you won't have anything to pay whatsoever. If you win, the success fee and any other costs will come straight out of your compensation, so you'll never be out of pocket.  

Do I need to take out no win no fee insurance?

We usually recommend taking out insurance to provide peace of mind that your public injury compensation claim is completely risk-free. This is commonly done through a policy called After the Event (ATE) insurance. 

Insurance will cover costs and expenses such as medical reports and court and barrister fees. If your case is unsuccessful, having insurance means you won't pay anything towards them. 

There are no upfront costs for ATE insurance and your solicitor will arrange it for you if it's necessary. You'll only pay the insurance premium if you win and this cost will be included within what your solicitor agreed with you from the beginning.

Is my public injury claim likely to go to court?

Most public accident claims are settled outside of court.

If no agreement can be reached, your case may have to be settled through formal court proceedings. This isn't anything to worry about, as your public injury lawyer will handle the legal side of things and keep you updated throughout.  

What if I lose my accident in a public place claim?

Our panel of solicitors only take on cases that they're confident will be successful. But in the unlikely event that yours isn't, you won't have anything to pay under a no win no fee agreement.