How To Claim Compensation For An Accident In A Public Place?

By Jo Anderson. Last Updated 12th October 2023. If you’ve suffered an injury in an accident in a public place you might be searching for a personal injury solicitor who could handle your claim or someone to tell you whether you’re entitled to compensation. If so, you’ve come to the right place.

Here at Accident Claims UK, we have many years of experience in the industry helping those affected by negligence. So, if you would like to discuss your potential case in greater detail, why not reach out and speak to our team?

One of our advisers would be more than happy to talk with you. The number to call is 0800 073 8801.

accident in a public place

How To Claim Compensation For An Accident In A Public Place

Below, you can learn more about public liability claims, including compensation payouts, eligibility criteria, evidence needed to prove a claim, and some frequently asked questions.

Select a Section

  1. Compensation Payouts For Public Place Accidents
  2. Can I Make A Claim For An Accident In A Public Area?
  3. What Evidence Do I Need To Claim Compensation After An Accident In A Public Place?
  4. No Win No Fee Claims For An Accident In A Public Place
  5. Useful Links Relating To An Accident In A Public Place

Compensation Payouts For Public Place Accidents

If you’re eligible to make a public injury claim, you might wish to know how much your payout could be if your claim is successful.

Successful personal injury claims could lead to payouts that include two forms of compensation: general damages and special damages. General damages compensate you for the injury you’ve suffered and the pain you’ve endured because of it. We’ll discuss special damages further below.

All claims are assessed on their own unique facts and circumstances, and every claim is different. However, to gain insight into how much compensation could be appropriate, solicitors could refer to the JCG (Judicial College Guidelines). This publication provides guidance on compensation for different injuries at different levels of seriousness. 

The table below contains figures from the 2022 edition of the JCG. However, this is only guidance.

Type of injury that has been sustainedHow severe is the injury?Typical payout amountNotes
Multiple injuries with financial losses.SeriousUp to £1,000,000+Multiple serious injuries leading to suffering, pain and financial losses such as care costs, home adaptations, and medical expenses, for example.
Quadriplegia (a)Severe£324,600 to £403,990
This bracket is appropriate for cases in which the injured person is not in physical pain, has full awareness of their disability, has an expectation of life of 25 years or more, has retained powers of speech, sight, and hearing but needs help with bodily functions. The top end of the bracket will be appropriate where there's pain or an affect on the senses or ability to communicate.
Brain damage (a)Very Severe£282,010 to £403,990This bracket will include cases where there is little, if any, evidence of meaningful response to environment, little or no language function, double incontinence and the need for full-time nursing care. The level of compensation awarded will be dependant on the degree of insight, life expectancy, sensory impairment and physical limitations, among other factors.
Brain damage (b)Moderately severe £219,070 to £282,010In these cases, the injured person will be very seriously disabled either physically or cognitively, and will be dependant on others to a substantial degree.
Brain damage (c)Moderate (i)£150,110 to £219,070This bracket will cover in which concentration and memory are affected, the ability to work is reduced, where there is a small risk of epilepsy, and any dependence on others is very limited.
Brain damage (d)Less severe £15,320 to £43,060In these cases the injured person will have made a good recovery and will be able to take part in normal social life and to return to work, despite persistent problems with concentration and memory.
Leg injuries (a)Severe (i)£240,790 to £282,010This bracket is appropriate where both legs are amputated above the knee, or one below the knee and one above at a high level.
Neck injury (a)Severe (i)In the region of
£148,330
In these instances, the injured person will have little to no movement in the neck.
Neck injury (b)Moderate (i)£24,990 to £38,490
This bracket will usually be appropriate in cases such as fractures or dislocations which may require a spinal fusion
Back injury (a)Severe (i)£91,090 to £160,980Damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots, leading to a combination of very serious consequences not normally found in cases of back injury.
Back injury (b)Moderate (ii)£12,510 to £27,760This bracket can include injuries such as crush fractures, traumatic spondylolisthesis and a damages or prolapsed intervertebral disc amongst other things
Knee injuries (a)Severe (i)£69,730 to £96,210Injuries of this bracket result in considerable pain and loss of function as well as gross ligamentous damage and the development of osteoarthritis
Knee injuries (b)Moderate (i)£14,840 to £26,190This bracket will include injuries resulting in minor instability, wasting, weakness or other mild disability.

Further to this, if you can provide evidence that you’ve incurred financial expense or loss due to your injuries, you could receive special damages. Special damages could compensate you for the likes of:

  • Travel costs
  • Medical expenses
  • Care costs
  • Loss of income

For further guidance on compensation payouts for public liability claims, please contact an advisor on the number at the top of this page.

Can I Make A Claim For An Accident In A Public Area?

If you are wondering whether you could claim compensation for an accident in a public place, there are certain eligibility criteria your claim would need to meet.

Firstly, you’d need to prove that someone had a duty of care towards you. Then, you’d need to prove that there was a breach of this duty of care. Thirdly, you would need to prove that your injury resulted from the breach.

If you have had an accident in a public area, the controller of the space could be at fault for it. For example, this could be a supermarket owner, or a local council or authority. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, the controller of the space must take steps to make sure public places are safe to use for their intended purpose. This is known as a duty of care.

If they fail to uphold their duty of care, and you suffer an injury as a result, you could be eligible to claim compensation. Contact our team of advisors today to learn more for free.

What Evidence Do I Need To Claim Compensation After An Accident In A Public Place?

In order to make a claim, it is crucial to gather as much evidence as possible. Thankfully, there are various forms of evidence you can collect to support your accident in a public place claim, such as:

  • Photographs: This involves taking photos at the scene, as well as pictures of your injuries, if they are visible, of course. 
  • Notes: You should also note everything that happened as soon as you can so that you do not forget anything important. 
  • Contact Information: Get the contact details of anyone that witnessed the incident unfold.

Steps To Consider After An Accident In A Public Place

It is also wise to report the accident to the perpetrator. For example, you could inform the local council or the supermarket owner if the accident happened on their property. By registering the accident to the perpetrator, they are required to document the incident in an accident log. This can help to strengthen your case.

Finally, keep documentation of all of the costs you have been subject to because of your injuries, such as:

  • Travel costs
  • Loss of income
  • Replacement costs
  • Medical expenses

No Win No Fee Claims For An Accident In A Public Place

For many, finding affordable legal representation can be a stressful and daunting experience. Still, here at Accident Claims UK, we believe that everybody should have access to legal representation and the opportunity to seek the justice they deserve. It is for that reason why our personal injury solicitors operate on a No Win No Fee basis.

With us, all of our claims are 100 per cent No Win, No Fee. For those who are unfamiliar with such legal services, we will explain how this works. When a legal service is provided under the No Win No Fee agreement, this means you’d have access to the following benefits:

  • There are no upfront payments. Instead, you will fund the legal service once the claim has been settled. 
  • You will never be out of pocket if you make a claim. 
  • Under the agreement, you are offered full financial protection — meaning that you won’t find yourself in a situation whereby your case has lost yet you still have a solicitor to pay.

The legal fees will be subtracted from the compensation you have been awarded, and this will be a percentage of the payout. Of course, you will have agreed on this with your solicitor beforehand, and it will be put in writing – meaning they cannot take whatever they want. And, if you do not win any compensation, this means that the solicitor does not take any payment from you.

There are other advantages worth thinking about too. This includes the fact that anyone can claim, irrespective of what their current financial situation is. Not only this, but you know that your solicitor is going to be accountable for the service they are providing you with. 

For more information on No Win No Fee personal injury solicitors, or to start your claim for an accident in a public place, contact our team today:

  • Telephone: 0800 073 8801
  • Online Form: Please click here to enquire online using our online form.
  • Live Chat: Click the icon on the right side of the page to speak with an adviser.
  • Email: why not send us an email to office@accidentclaims.co.uk. Our email is operated on Monday – Friday, and we aim to get back to you within three hours.

Useful Links Relating To An Accident In A Public Place

We are now in the final section of our accident in a public place guide. We hope you have found it useful. Now that you have read our guide, you might consider searching for additional resources to further your understanding of the claims process. If that is the case, then look no further.

Below, we have included some additional resources for you to browse through and further your understanding.

More Useful Guides on Accidents in a Public Place

Slip, Trip and Fall Guide – learn more about how to claim compensation for slip, trip and fall accidents that weren’t your fault. 

Pavement Accident Claims Guide – take a look at our guide to learn how a personal injury solicitor would offer to handle your pavement accident case.

Local Council Compensation Claim – has the city council breached their duty of care and caused you harm? Why not read our guide to learn more about claims of this nature. 

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) – click the link to learn what you need to know about managing public safety, the risks, and the measures.

Other Public Injury Claim Guides