Public Liability Claims | 100% No Win No Fee

This guide will explain when public liability claims could be made after the party in control of a public space acted negligently, causing you to be injured.

In this guide, we will look at who is liable for an accident in a public place and how an injury could occur due to negligence. Furthermore, we will look at how claims of this nature can be valued and give you an idea of what a settlement in a successful claim could be made up of. 

Public Interest Lawyers works with a panel of solicitors with solid experience helping claimants like you. A solicitor can manage your compensation claim if you have enough supporting evidence.

Please contact Public Interest Lawyers using the details below to see if you can start to claim compensation:

Public liability claims guide

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What Are Public Liability Claims?

Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, those in control of spaces that the public can access have a legal duty of care towards those who use that space. In legislation, the person who has control over a space is called the occupier.

A public liability claim could be valid if:

  • You were owed a duty of care by the party who controlled the space
  • They breached this duty
  • This breach and the subsequent accident caused you to be injured.

Types Of Public Liability Injury Claims

Here are some examples of when public liability claims could be valid:

If you have any more questions about the kinds of accidents that could entitle you to make a claim, speak with a member of our team today.

Who Could You Make Public Liability Claims Against?

Below, we have included some examples of when you could make a compensation claim against an organisation or entity.

  • A gym or leisure centre
  • A school, college or university
  • In a shopping facility, such as a shopping centre
  • Train stations and those responsible for operating them and keeping them safe
  • Government bodies such as National Highways
  • A local authority with control over a pavement
  • A restaurant, cafe or another business that serves food if it made an error that led you to suffer an illness, such as salmonella.

A specialist can give you free legal advice about claiming compensation. Speak with a member of our team today, and if you have a valid claim, you could be connected with a lawyer from our panel.

Find Out More About Who Could Be Liable In A Public Accident Claim Here

How Long Does A Public Liability Claim Take?

There are many variables that could impact how long a claim takes so we’re not able to answer this question; however, we can offer guidance on how long you have to begin a claim. Under the Limitation Act 1980, there is generally a three-year time limit to begin public liability compensation claims. This runs from the date of the accident.

There are exceptions to this time limit. For example, if the injured person is under the age of 18, the time limit is suspended, and a litigation friend can claim on their behalf. Once they turn 18, they have 3 years in which to start a personal injury claim themselves if one hasn’t already been made.

For more information on the exceptions that apply to these time limits, speak with a member of our team today.

How Do I Make A Claim Against Public Liability Insurance?

There are several steps you can take to support a claim following an accident in a public place. For example, if you were a customer in a shop, you could collect CCTV footage of the accident and take photographs of the hazard that injured you. If there is a public place accident book, you could fill this out with a record of the accident.

Furthermore, you might also be invited to a medical appointment as part of the claims process. As well as seeking medical attention for any injuries at the time of the incident, this independent medical assessment will confirm that your injuries are consistent with your accident and give you information on your potential prognosis. If you work with one of the lawyers from our panel, they could arrange this for you in your local area.

Examples Of Payouts For Public Liability Claims

In a successful personal injury claim, you’ll be awarded general damages. This head of claim takes into account the pain, suffering and loss of amenity that your injuries have caused you.

You can use the table below to give you an idea of the potential value of your general damages payment. The table contents are based on Judicial College Guidelines (16th edition). These are used to help assign a value to general damages.

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Injury And Severity Payout Guidelines Injury Notes
Very Severe Brain Injury £282,010 to £403,990 An injury which leaves the person requiring full time care. Compensation could be affected on the person’s life expectancy, for example.
Moderate Brain Injury (i) £150,110 to £219,070 Impact on speech, personality and senses. No employment prospects.
Amputation Of One Arm (i) More than £137,160 Arm lost at the shoulder.
Total Or Effective Loss Of (One) Hand £96,160 to £109,650 The upper end of the bracket will be appropriate where the hand impacted is the dominant one.
Amputation/ Loss Of A Foot £83,960 to £109,650 Valued in a similar way to a below-knee amputation because the useful ankle joint is lost.
Severe Knee Injury (iii) £52,120 to £69,730 Leg fractures which have extended into the knee joint.
Less Serious Leg Injury (i) £17,960 to £27,760 Leg fractures that do not completely heal or serious soft tissue injuries.
Severe Toe Injury £13,740 to £21,070 Crush injuries including those where one or two toes (excluding the great toe) may have to be amputated.
Serious Toe Injury £9,600 to £13,740 Serious injuries to the great toe or multiple fractures across several toes.
Moderate Thumb Injuries £9,670 to £12,590 Injuries leading to impaired sensation and cosmetic deformity.

These figures should only be used as a guide, and the actual amount you receive might vary.

Can You Claim A Special Damage Payout?

You could also receive a special damages payment. This head of claim can compensate you for the financial impact that your injuries have resulted in.

For example, this could include:

  • Medical costs
  • Travel and parking costs
  • Care expenses
  • Reimbursement for loss of earnings if your injuries stopped you from working
  • A payment to cover the cost of adapting your home or purchasing mobility equipment, if your injuries caused a disability

For an assessment of the value of your particular claim, speak with a member of our team today. You could be connected with a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel.

Starting Public Injury Claims

Feel free to reach out to our team of advisors today to see if you meet the criteria to make a public injury liability claim. If you do have a valid claim, you could be put in touch with a legal representative.

If you use our services, a solicitor could handle your claim on a No Win No Fee basis; specifically, under a kind of No Win No Fee agreement called a Conditional Fee Agreement. This generally means that:

  • You won’t have to pay your lawyer before work begins on your claim, as it’s ongoing or in the case it’s not a success
  • If your case is a success, then your lawyer will take a success fee from your award
  • You won’t have to pay your lawyer for the services they have provided if you dont receive compensation.

The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013 caps the success fee that your lawyer can take. Contact us today to see if you are eligible to claim for a public place accident.

  • Call our helpline on 0800 408 7825
  • Contact us via our website
  • Use the Live Support feature to speak to an advisor

Read More About Public Accident Claims

You may find these resources helpful if you wish to claim your injuries.

Child Accident In Public Place Compensation Claim Guide

Toddler Accident In A Public Place Guide

University Accident Claims Guide

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) – A government guide to statutory sick pay

Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents guidance on preventing falls

Head injury and concussion – a guide from the NHS

If you have any more questions on public liability claims, speak with a member of our team today.

Article by AH

Publisher ET