Whether it was during a busy daily commute or on a day out, suffering a train station accident can feel like a disaster. Depending on how badly you were harmed, you may be in a lot of pain and need to take time off work to recover. Compensation could be an option to help you get back on track.
This guide will explore the eligibility requirements for claiming compensation for public transport accidents. We will also examine some common train station accidents to illustrate these criteria. Furthermore, we’ll provide information about what items passengers could submit to support a personal injury claim. We then explain how compensation is calculated and what areas of harm it seeks to address.
We close this guide with an explanation of how a solicitor offering a No Win No Fee service can represent you.
At Public Interest Lawyers we help people seeking compensation after suffering personal injury. So if you sustained an injury at a railway station and want to find out if you are eligible to claim compensation, speak to our team now:
- Call 0800 408 7825. We’re available 24/7.
- Contact us online.
- Start a live chat discussion below.
Select A Section
- Can I Claim For A Train Station Accident?
- What Are Common Accidents At Train Stations?
- What Could I Do If I’ve Had A Train Station Accident?
- How Much Compensation For A Train Station Injury?
- Can I Claim For An Accident At A Train Station On A No Win No Fee Basis?
- Learn More About Making Personal Injury Claims
- Train Station Accident FAQs
Can I Claim For A Train Station Accident?
Accidents could happen in train stations and the many retail and food outlets within them. Just like the station operator, any third party operating a business in a train station is subject to a duty of care outlined in the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. This means that those in control of a space need to implement measures that ensure the reasonable safety of the public on their premises.
Failure to meet this duty could result in an injury. However, all three of the following criteria need to be met in order to have good grounds to claim compensation:
- You need to show that you were owed a duty of care under the legislation.
- Have proof that this duty of care was breached. For example, a cleaner had recently mopped but failed to put up a wet floor sign.
- And that you sustained injuries because of this breach. For example, you suffered a back injury in a slip and fall on a wet floor.
Direct any questions about whether you could file a compensation claim for a train station accident to a member of our advisory team. They can help assess whether your case is valid.
What Are Common Accidents At Train Stations?
Train station accidents can occur in a number of ways. Not every accident is someone else’s fault, but the following examples are based on a third party breaching their duty of care:
- A station operator fails to fix the edge of a broken platform, despite being aware of the problem. Because of this, a commuter loses their footing and falls in between the train and the platform, sustaining multiple injuries.
- The owner of a coffee bar situated inside the station failed to repair a sign hanging over the seating area. It fell down, causing a serious head injury to a member of the public sitting below it.
- There was a leaking toilet at the station that needed repair; despite knowing of the leak, the station manager never had it fixed or placed a warning sign near the wet floor. A passenger slipped, causing a very severe neck injury.
If you feel that your train station accident could have been avoided, chat with our friendly advisors about your options for seeking personal injury compensation.
What Could I Do If I’ve Had A Train Station Accident?
If you intend to start a personal injury claim for a train station accident, you will need evidence to support your case. It must demonstrate liability for the injuries sustained in the accident. Therefore, the following is useful:
- Photographs of the accident scene and any visible injuries.
- Request CCTV footage from the station or retail or food outlet involved.
- Get the contact details of eyewitnesses, so witness statements can be collected later on.
- Get copies of medical records that prove the extent of your injuries. This can include X-rays, scans, specialist reports and proof of prescription medications.
- Request a copy from any on-site accident book.
Why not call our advisors today for free? They will assess your case in minutes. Should they determine that it has solid grounds, they could offer to connect you with a personal injury solicitor from our panel, who can help you gather evidence.
How Much Compensation For A Train Station Injury?
If your personal injury claim is successful, the settlement can be made up of two heads of loss called general and special damages.
General damages acknowledge the physical harm and psychological impact of the train station accident. So to get an accurate idea of how badly hurt you were, it might be a requirement to sit for an independent medical assessment. This is something a solicitor can help arrange with you.
To help value this part of your claim, those responsible for doing so, such as a No Win No Fee solicitor or another legal professional, may refer to the compensation guidelines published by the Judicial College.
We’ve included some entries from the JCG below to illustrate. As all personal injury claims vary due to individual factors, the table is only intended for guidance. Additionally, we look at a figure in the top row that was not taken from the JCG. It is provided to show you how compensation could be awarded for multiple injuries and the incurred financial hardship.
Compensation Table
| Area of Injury | Severity | Compensation Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries and Special Damage Payments for lost income, care costs and medical expenses. | Severe | up to £1,000,000 plus |
| Head | (a) Very Severe | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Back | (a) Severe (iii) | £47,320 to £85,100 |
| Hand | (e) Serious | £35,390 to £75,550 |
| Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) | (b) Moderately Severe | £28,250 to £73,050 |
| Neck | (a) Severe (iii) | £55,500 to £68,330 |
| Severe Leg | (b) Serious (iii) | £47,840 to £66,920 |
| Wrist | (b) Significant | £29,900 to £47,810 |
| Arm | (c) Less Severe | £23,430 to £47,810 |
| Knee | (b) Moderate (i) | £18,110 to £31,960 |
| Shoulder | (b) Serious | £15,580 to £23,430 |
You may also be entitled to seek special damages for the financial losses caused by the injuries. To claim this head of loss it’s important to submit documented proof of monetary loss and expenses, such as:
- Proof of travel expenses for necessary appointments.
- Evidence of unavoidable medical costs.
- Invoices and receipts for any personal care fees.
- Payslips that prove a loss of earnings if you are unable to work while injured.
- The costs for adaptations to your home or vehicle to accommodate a new disability.
It can really help to consult with a solicitor about compensation. They may spot something you have missed. Call our advisors so they can connect you to a solicitor from our panel who can provide free legal advice.
Can I Claim For An Accident At A Train Station On A No Win No Fee Basis?
Anyone is free to represent themselves in a personal injury claim but it makes sense to see if a legal expert can help. The first step is to speak to our dedicated team of advisors. If they find that your train station accident claim seems valid, and you wish to use our services, they can connect you with an expert public liability solicitor from our panel.
In addition to gathering evidence, the solicitor can submit important court documents on time for you. Also, they can collect witness statements and strive to negotiate the best settlement on your behalf.
Best of all, they can offer these services through a type of No Win No Fee contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). This typically means you do not need to pay the solicitor any fees upfront or for work performed as your case moves forward. If the claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay for completed solicitors services at all.
A winning case requires a success fee. Your solicitor will deduct this amount from your award. However, this is a legally limited percentage, so you’re always the one who benefits the most from the outcome.
Interested? If so, our advisors are ready to help answer any questions and offer a free case assessment. Simply:
- Call 0800 408 7825 to discuss your injuries and the incident that caused them.
- Visit our website to contact us.
- Start the conversation through the live chat box below.
Learn More About Making Personal Injury Claims
These other guides might be useful:
- Here, we look at slip, trip and fall compensation claims.
- A case study about making a serious hand injury claim.
- Starting a multiple injury claim after an accident.
In addition, these outside resources might be useful:
- If you need to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) read this resource.
- Also, this Health A-Z from the NHS is a useful way to check your symptoms.
- The British Transport Police website. You can report incidents and concerns regarding rail travel and stations to the British Transport Police.
Thank you for reading our train station accident guide. Please call if there’s anything further we can help you with.
Train Station Accident FAQs
How Long Do I Have To Claim For A Train Station Accident?
Personal injury compensation claims must normally be started within a three-year time limit set out in the Limitation Act 1980. In cases where the injured person is a minor, the three years start from the date they turn 18. Time limits are paused completely for people who lack the mental capacity to claim. For those under 18 or without the mental capacity to manage a claim, a litigation friend can begin a claim for them if appointed by the courts.
What If The Accident Is Partly My Fault?
If you were partly to blame for your accident, you could still receive a reduced amount of compensation based on your level of fault.
What If I’m Injured On A Train?
As stated, if a fixture or fitting on a train caused your injury because it was broken or hazardous, you could seek compensation.
Speak to our team about starting your claim for a train station accident today.