If you suffer a slip, trip or fall, you could find that you are seriously affected by the consequences of your accident. Some of the injuries which you may experience can affect you for weeks, months, years or even for the rest of your life. As well as having a negative effect on your quality of life, it could also affect your ability to earn the money which you need to support yourself and your family. In the United Kingdom, if the accident which you had was caused by something which was not your fault, then you may be eligible to make a claim for compensation.
Was the accident your fault?
Your ability to claim compensation can depend on whether the accident which you had was your fault or not. If you fall over something which you left on the floor in your home, then it is unlikely that you will be able to claim compensation, but if you fall over something which one of your colleagues left in a walkway at work, then you may have a claim. Your employer should have procedures in place to try to safeguard your health and safety, and your injury may show that these were inadequate.
Other examples of circumstances where an accident has happened which was not your fault can include; slipping on a patch of ice which has not been cleared, tripping on uneven carpeting, stumbling on uneven floor tiles, slipping on a wet floor or tripping over something due to a lack of appropriate lighting. It is usually the responsibility of businesses or the landowner in public places to ensure that it is safe for people to walk around. If it is discovered that these parties have been failing to properly maintain the area, then they may be deemed to be responsible for your accident and therefore they may have to pay you compensation.
What were the effects of your accident?
Slips, trips and falls can result in a lot of different injuries, and no two accidents are ever the same. Whilst some people escape without injury, others suffer life-altering consequences. The most common types of injury sustained in a slip, trip or fall are knee injuries, foot injuries, wrist injuries, back injuries and head injuries. Many of these injuries can leave you struggling to lead a normal life and can have a serious impact on your earning potential.
How do you make a claim following an accident?
Once you decide to make a claim for compensation following a slip, trip or fall, you should get in contact with a claims advisor or a legal professional. Although it is possible to make a claim without professional help, you will maximise your chances of winning an appropriate amount of compensation if you have an experienced person fighting for you. When you discuss your claim with a professional, you will need to tell them the full story including information about anyone who may have witnessed your accident. You should also give your advisor access to your medical records, so that they can assess the extent of your injuries and be able to paint a realistic picture of how these injuries have affected your quality of life. It can also be worthwhile to show your advisor any financial statements or payslips which can help to highlight how the injuries have affected your ability to earn money.
Many claims advisors will take on cases on a “No win, No fee” basis, meaning that you will not have to pay a penny to them, unless your case is successful. Whilst this does mean that advisors may not take on cases if they do not think that there is going to be successful, it also means that there is less risk involved for you in making a claim.
How much compensation will you receive?
The level of compensation which you will receive can depend on a number of different factors, and it is impossible to give an accurate figure, because no two cases are the same. Compensation will usually cover medical costs, loss of earnings and the inconvenience that the injuries have caused you. The extent of the compensation will be directly affected by the injuries which you sustained in your slip, trip or fall.