Public Liability Claims In London
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Every day in London, people are injured in public places through no fault of their own—slipping on wet supermarket floors, tripping on broken paving stones, or being hurt by falling objects from poorly maintained buildings.
When these accidents happen because someone else failed to keep a space safe, the injured person may be entitled to make a public liability claim.
Whether you were shopping on Oxford Street, walking through a local market in Camden, or attending a summer event on the South Bank, the law is clear: those who control public or private spaces have a legal duty to prevent avoidable harm.
At Personal Injury Solicitors London, we help individuals across the capital claim compensation after accidents in public spaces.
If you would like the help of our specialist personal injury solicitors, then please get in touch by clicking below.
To learn more about public liability claims, please keep scrolling. We explain your rights, the types of accidents covered, how claims work, and how our No Win No Fee solicitors can help you take action—quickly, confidently, and with no upfront costs.
What Are Public Liability Claims?
Public liability claims are legal claims made by individuals who have been injured in a public or private space due to the negligence of the person or organisation responsible for that space.
Under UK law, those who control or occupy a space—such as local councils, businesses, or private landowners—have a legal duty to ensure that premises are safe for visitors. This duty is outlined in the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and 1984, depending on whether the injured person was authorised to be there.
Types of Public Liability Claims We Can Help With
Public liability claims cover a wide variety of accidents, particularly in high-footfall areas like central London. Common examples of cases we see include:
Slips, trips and falls on wet floors, loose tiles, or icy walkways
Accidents in shops, like slipping on spilt drinks or tripping over stock
Pavement injuries due to uneven slabs, potholes or poor lighting
Injuries in parks, such as faulty playground equipment or broken fencing
Festival or event injuries, from crowd surges or poorly set-up structures
Falling objects, such as scaffolding components or shop signs
Dog bites in public parks or on shared paths
We can help with all types of public liability claims. Some of the most common we specialise in are:
Shops and Supermarket Accidents
Whether it's your local corner shop in Shoreditch or a national supermarket, you're owed the same duty of care. If this is breached and you suffer an injury, you can make a claim.
Pavement Accidents
If you've tripped and fallen over on raised or broken pavement, you could be entitled to compensation
Hit By An Object
With so much construction and building work happening in London, it's possible that items can fall from a height and hit unsuspecting passersby. If you get injured, you could claim.
Gym Accidents
If you've suffered an injury in a gym or leisure centre due to defective equipment or unsafe practices, you could be entitled to compensation
Dog Bite Claims
If you've been attacked or bitten by a dog, you could be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries
Allergic Reactions
You can also make a claim if you've suffered an allergic reaction in the likes of a restaurant after informing them of your allergies
Reviews Of Our Service
Meet Our Public Liability Solicitors
Patrick Mallon
Patrick is the head of our personal injury claims department. He has been qualified as a solicitor for over 20 years and strives to get the very best result for his clients.
Emma Pomfret
Emma is a Chartered Legal Executive with over 10 years of experience. She is passionate about helping people claim compensation after suffering harm in public spaces
Who Can Make a Public Liability Claim?
Anyone who suffers an injury due to negligence in a public or private place may be eligible to claim compensation. This includes:
Members of the public, such as pedestrians, shoppers, or tourists
Children, with a parent or guardian able to bring a claim on their behalf
Visitors to shops, restaurants, parks, and festivals, including temporary pop-ups and markets
Can Employees Make Public Liability Claims?
If you’re injured during work but the incident was caused by a third party (e.g. tripping outside a client’s building or being injured at a public event), you may be able to pursue a public liability claim. However, in many cases, you would make an accident at work claim.
The Eligibility Criteria To Claim For An Accident In A Public Place
If you’ve been injured in a public or privately accessible space due to someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible to make a public liability claim. The key legal test is whether the party responsible for the area owed you a duty of care and failed to meet that duty, leading to your injury.
Who Do You Claim Against?
Identifying the correct party to claim against is crucial. Liability depends on who has control over the space where the accident occurred:
Local councils: Responsible for pavements, roads, parks, and street furniture
Private businesses: Including retailers, cafés, restaurants, and gyms
Landlords and housing associations: For communal areas in residential buildings
Event organisers: For temporary setups like markets, music festivals, or food fairs
To prove liability, you must show that the occupier knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to take reasonable steps to address it.
How Long Do I Have To Claim?
In most cases, you must start your claim within three years of the date of the accident. For children under the age of 18, this time limit does not begin until their 18th birthday. A parent or guardian can make the claim on their behalf before this time.
If you would like to check if you’re eligible to make a compensation claim, please click below for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Below, you can find answers to some frequently asked questions about our public liability claims service
What Evidence Is Needed?
The strength of your claim depends on the quality of evidence. We recommend gathering:
Photographs of the hazard and surrounding area
Witness statements from people who saw the incident
Accident reports submitted to the council or business
Medical records, including GP or hospital visit notes
CCTV footage, particularly in commercial zones like Westfield Stratford
You should report the incident as soon as possible to create a clear record of what happened and when.
Can I Claim Against The Council?
Yes, you can make a public liability claim against your local council. Local authroities are responsible for maintaining:
Public pavements and footpaths
Street lighting
Road surfaces
Public playgrounds and parks
To prove council negligence, you must show that the defect was dangerous and had been present long enough for the council to have known about it. This often requires inspection logs, complaint records, or photographic evidence.
We’re experts in claims against councils so if you’d like to speak with us for free today, get in touch.
Could I Claim Against A Shop Or Business?
Shops and commercial premises have a legal duty to protect customers from foreseeable harm. If you get hurt, you could therefore make a compensation claim.
Common examples of claims involvng shop accidents include:
Slipping on wet floors in supermarkets (e.g. Tesco, Sainsbury’s, or Waitrose)
Tripping on loose mats or display units in the likes of Oxford Street boutiques
Being hit by falling stock in a warehouse-style store like IKEA
Who’s Responsible—The Staff or the Owner?
The claim is made against the business or premises owner, not individual staff members. Public liability insurance is typically in place to cover these claims.
Do You Offer A No Win No Fee Service?
At Personal Injury Solicitors London, we handle all public liability claims on a No Win No Fee basis. This means:
No upfront legal fees
You pay nothing if your claim is unsuccessful
Our fee is taken as a capped percentage of your settlement if you win
We’ll explain your funding options clearly before you commit so you know exactly what you’d pay if you win your case.
Can I Claim If I Was Partly at Fault?
Yes, you can claim if you were partly at fault. The law recognises contributory negligence, where responsibility is shared. For instance:
You tripped on a loose cable at an event but were using your phone at the time
You slipped in a stairwell but ignored a warning sign
In such cases, your compensation may be reduced by a percentage reflecting your share of the blame.
What Happens If the Council or Business Denies Liability?
Denial of liability is not the end of your case. It simply means that more work must be carried out in ordert o encourage the defendant to change their position.
In these situations, our solicitors will:
- Obtain CCTV or inspection records
Consult independent experts
Negotiate with insurers
If needed, we will issue court proceedings to ensure your claim is taken seriously by the defendant.
How Long Do Public Liability Claims Take?
Most straightforward claims settle in 6 to 12 months. More complex cases—particularly those involving serious injury or denied liability—may take longer.