When you go outside to the store or the park, or simply to go about your daily routine, you should be able to do so without risking injury. If you’ve been injured due to an accident in a public place, you may be entitled to pursue legal action if you can prove negligence of the party responsible for the area. There is a duty of care in place in this regard and the persons responsible for this area should ensure there is no risk of personal injury to the public. Such claims are not uncommon and most public spaces will be insured against this with what we call public liability insurance.
Our public liability accident specialists have years of experience in dealing with such claims and we are here to support you during what we know can be an extremely stressful period. We understand how traumatic it can be when you experience an unexpected injury and we’re here to help relieve that stress. If you have been involved in an accident in a public place resulting in personal injury, we can advise you on the next steps towards seeking compensation. When speaking with you, we will gather all of the details to quickly determine if you have a case going forward.
What are the main causes of accidents in the workplace?
All businesses and organisations have a duty of public liability to ensure their spaces are safe for public use. This duty includes anywhere open to members of the public such as supermarkets, schools, public footpaths, swimming pools, parks and restaurants. Whilst not every single risk can always be eliminated, they should all be identified so that reasonable changes can be made to mitigate any danger to the public. For example, if there are cracks along the pavement the local authorities must assess the risk to members of the public and clearly sign post and cordon off any areas that may pose a threat to pedestrians.
These public liability claims, such as slips, trips, and falls, can happen almost anywhere. Whether you’re out walking the dog and trip on a pothole, or slip on spillage in the supermarket. And they can all lead to severe personal injury. In some instances, the accident is the fault of the person involved, however it is often a result of negligence on the part of the parties responsible for keeping the area safe for public use.
What are the most common types of accidents in a public space?
Slips, trips, and falls are the most common types of accidents in a public space. You’ve likely heard of someone claiming for one of these at some point. These accidents most often result in injuries to the arms, hands, wrists, feet, legs, and hips, which tend to take the brunt of the impact when you hit the ground. The first thing we do when this happens is to gather all of the details to determine who was at fault for the incident. There are, of course, instances where you may be at fault but if there is any doubt in your mind you should speak to one of our experienced solicitors to see where you stand. When these accidents happen in a public place due to lack of upkeep or sufficient inspection and maintenance, you will often have a strong case against the party responsible.
Other examples of accidents in public places we’ve dealt with are caused by:
How to claim for an accident in a public space?
Making a claim for your accident can help you to secure the compensation you need to access the very best treatment and rehabilitation support throughout your recovery. The first thing to do is contact one of our solicitors to assess any negligence that may have caused the accident. We will then help you to make a full claim to the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB). Our solicitors have processed 1000s of these reports which makes the process run as quickly and as smoothly as possible, taking any additional stress away from you during this period.
There are a few factors that will be taken into account in a public liability claim. Our public liability specialists will use these factors to assess the impact the injury has had on your quality of life and also calculate your compensation. There factors include:
When dealing with your claim we will contact the relevant medical professionals and hospitals to access and gather medical reports to outline your injuries. Additional documentation such as reports from eye witnesses will also be collected and assessed to further substantiate your claim. When all of the information is in place, we will prepare your claim and submit it to the PIAB.
We can’t undo the damage that has been done, but we can help you to get through it. Each member of our highly skilled team takes great satisfaction in helping clients to get the compensation they deserve. It is our no.1 priority to ensure you get the best possible outcome after placing your trust in us.
As noted, the usual deadline for claiming for an accident in a public place is 2 years from the date of the accident or from when you noticed symptoms from the injury sustained. Discretion can be exercised during this period but this is relatively uncommon so it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Remember: however minor you may think your injury is, if it’s affecting your life then you deserve to seek compensation. When you are ready to move forward with your claim, we’re ready to help. Please get in touch with our trusted advisors so that we can assess your situation and advise you on what to do next.
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in confidence.
O’Brien & Company Solicitors has a wealth of experience and a history of success in personal injury and medical negligence cases.
We pride ourselves on achieving the best results for our clients whilst at the same time making everything as straightforward and clear for you as possible.
