Slipped on a Wet Floor? Understanding Your Rights
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Although slipping on a wet floor might be a minor inconvenience for some, in many cases, a slip or fall can cause considerable injury. If you’ve been injured after slipping on a wet floor, whether it was at work, or in a public place, you could be eligible to claim compensation.
Having a good understanding of your rights in this kind of situation can help you significantly if you choose to make a claim for slipping on a wet floor. In this article we’ll explain what you should do after a slip accident, including the eligibility criteria for making a claim, who might be liable, and how a specialist solicitor can help you.
Can I claim for slipping on a wet floor?
To be eligible to make a successful compensation claim for slipping on a wet floor, certain conditions must be met:
- You must have been injured as a result of the incident.
- There must have been negligence or a failure in duty of care which led to the injury.
- Generally, the injury must have taken place in the last three years, although there are exceptions.
Situations where you might be eligible to make a claim include slipping on a wet floor in a public place – for example, slipping on a wet floor with no sign at a supermarket, or slipping and injuring yourself at a swimming pool.
You may be able to claim if the accident happened at work – for example, slipping on a greasy floor while working in a kitchen environment. To find out if you’re eligible to make a claim, simply get in touch on 0800 182 2191 or you can contact us online.
Common injuries caused by wet floor slips
Slipping on a wet floor can result in a variety of injuries, from cuts, grazes and soft tissue injuries, to more significant injuries such as broken bones. We also see cases where someone has suffered a back or head injury after a slip or fall, and in some cases, these injuries can have a long-term impact on the individual.
Who’s liable after a slip on a wet floor?
Determining who is liable for a slip on a wet floor will depend on the setting in which the slip happened, as well as the specific circumstances of the incident.
If you’ve had an accident at work, your employer has a legal duty to keep employees safe. If it is found that your employer failed in their duty to provide safe working conditions, they could be held liable.
If you’ve had a slip on a wet floor in a supermarket, under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, it is the responsibility of the supermarket to ensure that the premises are safe and to take reasonable steps to prevent accidents and injuries.
Proving liability can be complex, but we’ll connect you with a solicitor who specialises in these types of cases and can help you recover the compensation you deserve.
What to do immediately after a wet floor slip
After slipping on a wet floor, there are several steps you should take to ensure your safety and to prevent similar accidents from happening. Your actions immediately after an accident can also strengthen a future compensation claim.
Seek medical attention: Your priority after any accident should be to seek medical help. You might need emergency treatment from a first aider, or you may need to visit hospital if your injuries are more serious. Even if your injuries don’t appear to be serious, you should seek medical attention; an injury isn’t always immediately obvious, and some injuries can develop over time.
Report the accident: After a slip, you should ensure you report the accident to the appropriate person. If you slip at work, the accident should be recorded in the accident book if you have one and, in some cases, a RIDDOR report will need to be submitted. If you’ve slipped in a public place, such as a supermarket or restaurant, make sure the incident is reported to a member of staff.
Gather evidence: The next step, if you’re able to, is to collect evidence to support your claim. This might include gathering witness details, keeping a record of what happened and when, and taking photographs or videos of the scene of the accident and your injuries. Your solicitor will request evidence to help prove your claim for slipping on a wet floor, but the more information you can provide, the better.
Documenting your injuries
After your accident, you should try to keep records of your injuries and any treatment that you have. You should also keep a record (and receipts if possible) of any expenses incurred because of your injury. This might include travel expenses to medical appointments or any additional treatment that you’ve had to pay for yourself. All of this can be put forward as part of your claim to show the impact of the accident.
The road to making a claim: Important considerations
If you think you might have a claim for slipping on a wet floor, it’s crucial that you seek legal advice as soon as possible. Not only are there strict time limits for making a personal injury claim, but we would also recommend that you seek advice while the incident is still fresh in yours and any witnesses’ memories.
The process for making a compensation claim can be broken down into three key steps:
Step 1: Get in touch with us on 0800 182 2191 or you can request a call back via our contact form or our live chat.
Step 2: One of our friendly compensation specialists will assess the details of your case and let you know whether you have a valid claim. They can then connect you with a suitable solicitor who will discuss the facts of your case and how it has affected you.
Step 3: Your solicitor will gather evidence and notify the negligent party that you wish to begin claim proceedings. Your solicitor will negotiate on your behalf to recover the compensation you deserve. If your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t pay a penny as per our No Win No Fee guarantee.*
How much can I claim for?
The value of your claim for slipping on a wet floor is determined by a variety of factors, including the type and severity of your injuries, the impact the injury had had on your quality of life, and any financial losses you have suffered as a result of the accident.
Although it’s not always possible to say exactly how much compensation you’ll get for slipping on a wet floor, below are some examples of possible compensation figures for trip, slip and fall claims, to provide you with a basic expectation of how much compensation you could claim for slipping on a wet floor, based the 17th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines:
- Compensation for head injuries varies greatly depending on whether it was a minor, moderate or severe injury. Consideration is given to the severity of the injury, period it has taken to recover and any ongoing symptoms. For this reason, the compensation can range from £2,690 up to £15,580 for minor cases, going all the way up to £493,000 for severe head injuries involving brain damage.
- This also applies to neck injuries; less severe cases may be eligible for claims up to £9,630, whereas compensation for severe neck injuries could be up to £181,020.
- For knee injuries, you could claim trip or fall compensation between £2,750-117,410. This is a broad compensation range and depends on the severity of your suffering.
- A simple fracture to the forearm could make you eligible for between £8,060 to £23,430, while a serious arm injury could secure in excess of £50,000.
How The Compensation Experts can help
Understanding your rights after slipping on a wet floor can help ensure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to if you choose to pursue a claim. In this article, we’ve shared the eligibility criteria for making a claim for slipping on a wet floor, as well as the common injuries caused by this type of accident. We’ve looked at who could be liable if you slip on a wet floor and also what you should do after an accident, including the evidence you’ll need to gather. Finally, we’ve outlined the claims process and shared possible compensation amounts for these types of claims.
If you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you have the right to make a claim for compensation. At The Compensation Experts, we work with a network of specialist legal firms, who have been hand selected by us. We can pair you with a solicitor who can help you claim a fair settlement for your slip claim. Talk to us today by calling 0800 182 2185 or using our online contact form.
Frequently Asked Questions
We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about slipping on a wet floor.
What’s the average payout for a slip and fall in the UK?
It’s important to remember that each claim for slipping on a wet floor is unique and compensation figures will be determined by the type and severity of your injury, as well the impact the injury had had on your life, and any financial losses you’ve suffered. You can find example compensation figures for different injury types earlier on in this article or you can visit our Compensation Calculator.
What to do if you slip on a wet floor?
If you slip on a wet floor, you’ll first need to seek medical attention. You’ll also need to ensure that the incident is reported to the appropriate person. If the accident happened at work, the slip may need to be recorded in the accident book. You should also try to gather evidence, such as photographs of the area the slip occurred, as well as details of any witnesses.
What are the risks of wet slippery floors?
Wet floors pose a significant risk. If a floor is wet and slippery but there is inadequate communication or signage, this can cause someone to slip, and in some cases, it can lead to serious injury. Injuries that could be caused by slipping on a wet floor include soft tissue injuries, broken bones, and head injuries.
Are concrete floors slippery when wet?
Like other surfaces, concrete can become slippery when wet. This is especially true of polished concrete surfaces. It’s crucial to ensure the correct cleaning methods and products are used on polished concrete floors as this can affect its slip resistance.
*Conditions apply
