Few people get through life without slipping or falling on a wet floor. While many escape being hurt, sadly there are many people across the UK who suffer injuries because of a slip or fall.

If you have been injured from slipping on a wet floor, you may be able to make a personal injury claim. Thompsons’ personal injury solicitors are highly experienced at securing compensation and can offer free, no-obligation legal advice. Get in touch by calling us on 0800 0 224 224 or completing our short enquiry form.

 

Frequently asked questions about claiming for slips on wet floor

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Can I make a claim for slipping on a wet floor?

If you have slipped on a wet floor and sustained an injury, you may be able to claim compensation if someone else was responsible for your accident.

Occupiers of premises have a responsibility to protect visitors to those premises. So, if a spillage occurs in a supermarket, they must take all reasonable and practical measures to prevent people from slipping on the wet floor. As soon as the supermarket is made aware of the spillage, the court would expect the hazard to be signposted (for example, by cordoning off the area or using a warning sign) and the spillage to be cleaned. If the supermarket fails to take these measures within a reasonable time frame, they could be liable for any injuries sustained by those who slip.

 

I had a slip and fall and there was no wet floor sign – can I claim?

Wet floors can be very dangerous, so wet floor warning signs should be used to make employees or members of the public aware of the potential slip hazard.

If a workplace, shop or other establishment has failed to put up a wet floor warning sign within a reasonable timeframe, they could be liable if someone falls on that wet floor and sustains an injury.

If you have fallen on a wet floor and no warning sign was used, you may be able to claim compensation if the organisation were aware of the wet floor and had enough time to put up a warning sign before your slip occurred.

It is also possible to claim if a warning sign was used, but was in the wrong place or had been moved, leaving the wet floor exposed. It may not be adequate for an occupier to simply put a sign in the vicinity of the spillage when the area could have been better signposted or cordoned off.

 

Can I get compensation if I have slipped on wet floor in a public place?

Cleaning, liquid spills, dropped food and leaks can cause wet floors in public spaces. You might encounter these issues in shopping centres, supermarkets, restaurants or public toilets.

Owners of public places, such as restaurants, have a duty of care to make sure their premises are reasonably safe under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957. Therefore, if you were injured after slipping on a wet floor because a spillage was not cleaned up or signposted within a reasonable timeframe, you may have a valid case to claim for compensation.

This means that if you’ve slipped on a wet floor inside premises operated by an organisation that hasn’t tried to protect or warn you of the danger, you may be able to make a claim against that company.

It can be more challenging to make a claim for a slip on a wet floor when it occurs outside. If it happens because of a liquid spill or cleaning that hasn’t been finished, you may be able to make a claim for compensation. If, however, the floor was wet due to rain, it's unlikely that you would be able to take action unless there is a known drainage problem in the area that the occupier failed to deal with in a reasonable time frame.

It is possible for a person to be found completely or partially at fault for their accident if the incident is deemed avoidable. This may happen if warning signs were at the scene, or if other attempts were made to prepare you or warn you prior to the accident.

You should contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible so that they can investigate your claim and ensure that those responsible are held accountable and, ultimately, pay out appropriate compensation under their insurance policy.

 

I slipped on a wet floor at work – can I take legal action against my employer?

Workplace safety is your employer's responsibility. If they don’t maintain a safe working environment and their negligence causes you to be injured, you may be able to make an accident at work claim against them.

According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), slips, trips and falls are the most common type of workplace accident. Slips and falls at work can happen in any industry, but are particularly common in catering and hospitality, cleaning, food and drink manufacturing and retail.

Wet floors are a slip hazard, so employers must take steps to reduce the chance of floors becoming wet. Similarly, if floors do become wet, employers must have processes in place for signposting the hazard and cleaning the floor.

If your employer’s poor health and safety procedures have caused you to slip and fall on a wet floor, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries. Our specialist workplace accident lawyers can help you bring legal action against your employer – call us on 0800 0 224 224 or make an enquiry.

 

How to prevent a wet floor slip

There are a variety of measures that occupiers can take to reduce the risk of a wet floor slip, including:

  • Put up warning signs in areas where there is a slip hazard until the area can be suitably cleaned or dried.
  • Regular maintenance and cleaning of footpaths and hallways that are often used for walking.
  • In cold weather conditions, use salt or other anti-freeze solutions to reduce the chance of slips and falls on ice.
  • Provide appropriate lighting outside buildings to help people see any obstacles in front of them at night.

 

How to claim for slipping on a wet floor

If you have been involved in a wet floor slip or fall at work or in a public space, contact our team of specialist personal injury advisors who can discuss whether your claim could proceed and guide you through the claims process. Contact us on 0800 0 224 224 for free legal advice and support.

 

Can I make a no win no fee claim?

With Thompsons, you can make your wet floor injury claim on a no win, no fee basis, so you’ll only need to pay a contribution towards legal fees if your claim is successful.

In successful wet floor injury claims, most of your legal costs are paid by those responsible.  compensation if you have a no-win, no-fee agreement. There may be further fees are deducted from your compensation if you have a no-win, no-fee agreement.

Unlike other law firms, we put a cap on the amount we will deduct from your compensation award. If you make a claim with us, you will keep at least 75% of any compensation you receive.

 

How much compensation could I get for a wet floor slip claim?

The compensation you receive will depend on the extent of your injuries and any losses you have suffered.

When you get in touch with our solicitors and provide us with more information about your claim, we will be able to provide you with an initial estimate of how much compensation you could receive.

 

What evidence is needed to support my injury claim?

It is important to try and provide as much evidence as possible to help support your compensation claim. We are always happy to give you support and advice on how best to secure evidence or review anything you've already obtained, so please feel free to discuss this when you call.

The types of information that could enhance your chances of receiving a compensation payout include:

  • Details of individuals who saw what happened. Your solicitor could then collect witness statements if needed.
  • CCTV footage - check if the area where you slipped was covered. If it was, you should request this footage as soon as possible as it won't normally be retained for long.
  • If possible, photographs of the accident scene to demonstrate the cause of the accident.
  • X-rays and medical records from the hospital where your injuries were observed and treated. These can be obtained by your solicitor when necessary.
  • Emails, text messages or other correspondence if you slipped on a wet floor at work and you or a colleague had previously reported a defect to your employer.
  • A copy of your accident report form to help prove where and when the accident took place. Most organisations are legally obliged to record injuries caused from wet floor accidents, so you should always report them.

 

What are the time limits to claim?

You are required to make your personal injury claim within three years. This time limit is set in law by the Limitation Act 1980. However, there can be limited exceptions to these strict time limits, such for children under the age of 18 and those with reduced mental capacity.

 

Common injuries from wet floor slips

Some common injuries from wet floor slips include:

  • Broken bones
  • Cuts and scratches
  • Bruising
  • Soft tissue damage, including to ligaments and tendons.

There are, however, some people who may suffer more serious injuries after slipping, such as head or brain injuries. This sort of injury can be life changing, and sometimes even fatal.

 

Why should I make a wet floor injury claim with Thompsons Solicitors?

You can expect the highest level of legal service from our specialist personal injury solicitors.

For more than 100 years, we have secured millions of pounds in compensation every year for people who have suffered personal injuries, whether the result of an accident at work, a road traffic accident, medical negligence or having contracted an industrial disease.

It is our commitment to injured people that sets us apart from other law firms – we have never, nor will we ever, represent employers or insurance companies – so you can rest assured we have your best interests at heart throughout the entire claim process.

Get in touch with our personal injury team today to discuss your slip and fall claim – call us on 0800 0 224 224 or complete our short enquiry form.