Could I Claim If I Slipped Due To No Wet Floor Signs Displayed?
By Stephen Hudson. Last Updated 15th March 2024. If you were injured in a slip and fall accident because no wet floor signs were displayed, you might wonder if you can claim compensation. This guide will discuss the criteria that need to be met as well as the steps involved in making a personal injury claim for an accident in a public place.
It will also examine examples of slips and falls caused by a lack of wet floor signs and the injuries that could be sustained as a result. We will also discuss the evidence you can gather to prove that your injuries were caused by a breach of duty.
The party in control of a public space owes members of the public a duty of care. Similarly, employers owe employees a duty of care to keep them safe in the workplace. This can involve ensuring spills are cleaned up and wet floor signs are placed within a reasonable time frame.
For the purpose of this guide, we will focus on the legislation that outlines the duty of care for those in control of a public space as well as the responsibilities they have as part of their duty.
Additionally, this guide will give examples of potential compensation settlements for slip and fall accidents.
Finally, we will discuss the benefits of working with one of our slip, trip and fall solicitors on a No Win No Fee basis and the services they could offer.
Our team of expert advisors are available 24/7 to give you free legal advice and help you with your claim. To get in touch with them, you can:
- Call on 0800 073 8804
- Use our live chat box at the bottom of the page
- Fill out our ‘claim online’ form
Select A Section
- Can I Claim For A Slip And Fall If No Wet Floor Signs Were Displayed?
- Examples Of Slips And Falls Caused By A Lack Of Wet Floor Signs
- How Long Do I Have To Claim If I Was Injured Because No Wet Floor Signs Were Displayed?
- Proving A Slip And Fall Claim
- Potential Compensation Settlements For Slips And Falls On Wet Floors
- Make A Claim For A Slip And Fall On A No Win No Fee Basis
- Learn More About Claiming Compensation If No Wet Floor Signs Were Displayed
Can I Claim For A Slip And Fall If No Wet Floor Signs Were Displayed?
To seek compensation for injuries sustained in a public place accident, you must prove that negligence occurred. This involves the party in control of a public space breaching the duty of care they owed you and causing you to sustain harm as a result.
The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 sets out the duty of care those in control of a public space have. They must take steps to ensure your reasonable safety. This can include carrying out regular risk assessments and addressing any hazards of which they are made aware. It can also involve providing adequate health and safety training to their employees.
If they fail to do so, this could result in you becoming physically or psychologically injured. To learn whether you could be eligible to make a public liability claim in this instance, please get in touch using the number above.
Examples Of Slips And Falls Caused By A Lack Of Wet Floor Signs
Below, we have provided examples of accidents and subsequent injuries that could occur if no wet floor signs are displayed.
- A slip and fall accident in a bar could occur if a drink was spilled on the floor and it wasn’t cleaned up or signposted. As a result, a customer may sustain a shoulder injury and arm injury.
- There is a spill in a supermarket aisle which several members of staff are aware of, but it isn’t cleaned up or marked with a wet floor sign. As a result, a customer sustains a broken wrist and hip injury.
To find out more about what can cause slip and fall accidents, contact one of our expert advisors today for free legal advice.
How Long Do I Have To Claim If I Was Injured Because No Wet Floor Signs Were Displayed?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, there is a three-year time limit to claim for injuries caused by slipping on a wet floor with no sign nearby. This usually starts from the date of the incident that injured you. However, the time limit can work differently under some circumstances.
The time limit will be frozen indefinitely if the injured party lacks the mental capacity to start a claim on their own. A litigation friend could start a claim on the injured party’s behalf while the time limit is frozen. If the injured party later regains their mental capacity and a claim hasn’t been made by a litigation friend, then the three-year time limit will start for the injured party from the day of recovery.
If a child has been injured, then the time limit for starting a claim will be put on hold until the day they turn 18. A litigation friend could start a claim on the child’s behalf before their 18th birthday. Otherwise, the injured party will have three years to start their own claim from the date of their 18th birthday.
For more guidance regarding your eligibility to start a personal injury compensation claim, please contact our advisors for free either online or by calling us.
Proving A Slip And Fall Claim
In order to make a personal injury claim for a fall caused by no wet floor signs being displayed, you must prove that it was caused by negligence. Steps you might take towards gathering evidence to support your claim include:
- Requesting CCTV footage of the accident.
- Taking photographs of the accident site and your injury.
- Seeking medical help and requesting copies of any medical records.
- Keeping a diary of any appointments you have attended, as well as your mental and physical state before and after your injury.
- Taking down the contact details of any potential witnesses.
You may also find it beneficial to seek legal representation. Our solicitors can offer several services that could help you through the claims process, including building and presenting your case. Contact one of our expert advisors today for more information.
Potential Compensation Settlements For Slips And Falls On Wet Floors
If your personal injury claim succeeds, there are two heads of claim that could form your settlement; general damages and special damages.
General damages compensate for the mental and physical pain and suffering caused by your injury.
The figures in the table below are taken from the Judicial College Guidelines, a document solicitors can use to value the general damages portion of claims.
Compensation Table
| Injury | Severity | Guideline compensation bracket | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Serious Injuries Plus Special Damages | Serious | Up to £500,000+ | If an accident you claim for has caused multiple serious injuries, then your payout may cover all of these plus any related special damages, such as loss of earnings for example. |
| Injury Resulting From Brain Damage | Moderately severe (b) | £219,070 to £282,010 | The injured party is very seriously disabled and needs constant care. |
| Back Injury | Severe (i) | £91,090 to £160,980 | Damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots causing very serious symptoms, such as severe pain and impaired function of the bladder and bowel. |
| Neck Injury | Severe (i) | In the region of £148,330 | Injuries in this bracket are associated with damage to the neck and can result in permanent spastic quadriparesis. |
| Ankle Injury | Very Severe | £50,060 to £69,700 | Cases of a bilateral ankle fracture causing joint degeneration at a young age are included in this bracket. |
| Shoulder Injury | Severe | £19,200 to £48,030 | Damage to the shoulder which is associated with a neck injury and involves brachial plexus damage. |
| Arm Injury | Less Severe (c) | £19,200 to £39,170 | Significant disabilities will have occurred but there is a substantial recovery that has already taken place or is expected. |
| Hand Injury | Severe Fractures to Fingers | Up to £36,740 | Injuries might lead to partial amputations and result in deformity, grip impairment, reduced mechanical function and disturbed sensation. |
| Wrist Injury | Less Severe | £12,590 to £24,500 | Injuries resulting in permanent disability such as persisting pain and stiffness. |
| Elbow Injury | Moderate or Minor | Up to £12,590 | Several injuries fall into this bracket including simple fractures and lacerations. No permanent damage will be caused and they won't result in any function impairment. |
Please keep in mind, these figures are not guaranteed to be awarded. Also note that the first entry is not based on the Judicial College Guidelines.
What Are Special Damages?
Special damages compensate you for any out-of-pocket payments you have had to make as a result of your injury. This compensation should return you to your financial state before you were injured.
You could claim back the cost of:
- Domestic care
- Travel to and from medical appointments.
- Prescriptions
- Loss of earnings
- Medical bills
You should keep evidence of any costs incurred in the form of receipts, payslips, travel tickets and invoices.
To find out more about the compensation you could receive, contact one of our expert advisors using the contact details above.
Make A Claim For A Slip And Fall On A No Win No Fee Basis
If you were injured because you slipped and fell in an area where no wet floor signs were displayed, you might want to make a claim with the assistance of one of our solicitors.
Our solicitors are able to offer you a kind of No Win No Fee contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement. Under the terms of this agreement:
- You won’t need to pay your solicitor any upfront or ongoing fees for their services.
- You won’t have to pay your solicitor for the work they have done on your case if it is unsuccessful.
If your claim is successful, you will owe your solicitor a small success fee which is deducted from your compensation. This fee is capped by The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013, so you cannot be overcharged.
Speak to one of our expert advisors about working with a solicitor to help you pursue personal injury compensation. To get in touch with them, you can:
- Call on 0800 073 8804
- Use our live chat box at the bottom of the page
- Fill out our ‘claim online’ form
Learn More About Claiming Compensation If No Wet Floor Signs Were Displayed
Below are some more resources about making a public liability claim.
- How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Leisure Centre Accident?
- How Much Compensation Can I Claim For A Back Injury?
- Pavement Accident Claims Guide
Additionally, we have provided some more external resources:
- Slips and trips – Health and Safety Executive
- How do I know if I’ve broken a bone?– NHS
- Statutory sick pay – GOV
If you have been injured because there were no wet floor signs displayed and you slipped and fell, please do not hesitate to get in touch with one of our advisors to find out if you can claim.
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