A Trip, Slip or a Fall?

Accidents arising from slips and trips or falls are often perceived as trivial, and an example of the “compensation culture.”

In reality, a high proportion of such accidents involve serious injury. Health and safety executives estimate that 95% of major slips result in broken bones.

Examples of tripping and slipping personal injury claims successfully pursued include;

•    Severe injuries to the elderly, caused by slipping or tripping on defective pavements

•    Injuries to children caused by defective utility grids

•    Injuries caused by slipping on wet floors in supermarkets, hospitals, and schools

•    Injuries suffered by children in playgrounds and sports centres.

•    Claims by council tenants for ill health caused by housing disrepair and defective premises

•    Injuries to cyclists, motorcyclists and motorists caused by potholes in roads.

Very often the injuries sustained in such accidents have adverse consequences for life.

All public and private organisations owe a duty of care to ensure all visitors to premises are safe. Local Authorities are also under a duty to ensure that pavements and public highways are in a safe condition for public use.