Slip or Trip Accident at Work - Compensation Claims

Claiming compensation for a slip or trip accident at work

Slips and trips account for many workplace accidents and injuries. Workers may have tripped over obstructions left in inappropriate places, loose cabling, slipped on spillages which have not been cleaned or fallen on slippery or otherwise unsuitable flooring.

There is legislation which places obligations on employers and others responsible for premises to protect workers from slips and trips. The main regulations relevant to this area are The Workplace (Health, Safety and Welfare) Regulations 1992, and The Work at Height Regulations 2005 although other regulations are sometimes relevant depending on the circumstances of the accident.

Click here to fill in our online enquiry form and receive free legal advice on your claim >

When you can claim for a slip or trip at work

These accidents can happen either in a regular workplace or whilst out and about working on different sites. Situations where compensation claims in respect of a slip or trip in the workplace are often successful may involve:-

• Failure to repair or warn of a tripping hazard (e.g. a raised carpet tile/hole in floor)
• Failure to light an area adequately
• Failure to use a suitable flooring material in the workplace (e.g. using a slippery lino in a workplace where water may drip onto the floor)
• Falls down stairs where handrails or other safety measures should have been in place

These are just examples of falls in the workplace and they can occur in many different ways.

Potential claimants often do not investigate a compensation claim because they are concerned that the trip or slip was their fault, for example, they did not spot the hazard because they were not “looking where they were going” or because they were carrying something which obscured their view. The legal system recognizes that in the real world people are often in such situations and makes allowance for that. These claims are often successful, despite the claimant initially thinking they could not claim.

We have considerable experience of handling claims of this nature arising in many different types of scenario.

Worker tripped on scaffolding

A worker, as part of a team of men, was boarding out the back of a large cinema screen with sound boarding. The area behind the screen was covered by a scaffolding walkway. There was limited lighting. The scaffold walkway had a number of gaps, some of approximately 1 foot wide. The claimant was carrying a piece of board along the walkway. He tripped as his foot went into one of the smaller gaps in the walkway and fell twisting his knee causing permanent injury. The case was successfully pursued and damages recovered for him including amounts in respect of the injury itself but also related financial losses including loss of earnings.

Compensation for slip on ice at work

A shop worker received an out-of-Court settlement of £3,400 following a fall down stairs on her way to work at a large shopping centre. She slipped as a result of ice which had not been cleared prior to her arrival and fractured her foot. She was unable to return to work for a number of weeks prior to resolution of the fracture. She continued to have some occasional discomfort in that foot.

Contractor tripped over strewn debris

A building site contractor received £10,000 compensation after he tripped over debris that had been left lying around. As a result, he fractured his thumb and damaged a nerve which required surgery. He has been left with long term effects such as stiffness and cold intolerance.

Make a similar claim for compensation here >

What we'll do for you as specialist solicitors

More than anything, we aim to keep things clear, simple and as straightforward as possible for our clients, so there’s no need for you to worry at any point about the legal complexities or technicalities of your injury at work. You’ll be kept informed throughout the claims process which, put simply, looks like this:

• Your free initial consultation gives us a clear understanding of your slip or trip at work.
• If you have a case we assign our best legal team with the expertise to handle your claim.
• The legal team will investigate and build evidence to back up your case.
• We keep in touch with you throughout, so you’re always informed.
• Finally, with your approval, we arrive at the best compensation settlement possible.

Contact a solicitor as soon as you can

It’s important to speak to us as soon as possible about your work related accident – time limitation periods apply and investigating your claim is often easier if you begin proceedings quickly. Your initial consultation with us is free, and we’ll tell you then whether or not your case is worth pursuing. If it is, we’ll carry out our investigation of the case free of charge too.

Can I make a compensation claim? Complete our personal injury claim form to see how we can help you.

< Return to our main Work Accident section