Slips and trips can occur anywhere. If you slip on the ground or trip over an object and injure yourself, you may be entitled to claim compensation.

Like all other forms of compensation, claims for injuries that occur for trips and slips can only be made if someone else is at fault. This means that if someone else was responsible for ensuring the floor, path or walkway where you had your accident is kept clear, then you may be able to claim compensation.

Sidewalks

If you trip while walking down the street, you may be able to claim compensation from the council responsible for the upkeep of the sidewalk. Minor imperfections on the footpath surface are not usually sufficient for a valid claim, however if the footpath has been improperly maintained you may have a case.

Stores

Storeowners have a duty to keep the floors of their stores reasonably dry and safe. This includes ensuring regular inspections so that potentially dangerous spillages are cleaned up.

If you slip and are injured in a store, then you may be able to claim compensation if the store could be seen to have prevented the accident, and it wasn't your fault.

Other Slips and Trips

Generally the occupiers of land and buildings such as stores, office buildings, and farms and so on, regardless of what they are, have a duty to take reasonable care of their visitors. If the accident, which caused your injury could have been anticipated and it wasn't your fault, then you may be able to claim compensation from the shop for negligence

Make sure you check the other sections of this guide for more information about specific injuries such as work-related injuries.