Public liability claims

Penningtons Manches Cooper’s expert personal injury lawyers support individuals seeking compensation through public liability claims. If you or a loved one has suffered an injury in a public place due to unsafe conditions or negligence, we offer tailored legal guidance to help you secure appropriate compensation and access the support you need.

Specialist legal advice from experienced public liability solicitors

Under English and Welsh law, public liability is the legal duty imposed on property owners, occupiers, and local authorities to take reasonable care to keep their premises safe for public access. This includes pavements, parks, business premises, and other areas where visitors are permitted. If that duty is breached and an accident occurs, the injured party may be entitled to claim compensation under a public liability insurance policy.

Public liability compensation claims may arise from a wide variety of circumstances, including slips, trips and falls caused by uneven or icy surfaces, damaged pavements, unsafe flooring, or poorly maintained infrastructure. Other common public accident claims include those for injuries sustained from falling objects, faulty equipment, or exposure to hazards in commercial venues and local council-controlled areas.

A successful public liability claim depends on whether the party responsible for the area had a duty of care to those entering it, whether that duty was breached, and whether the accident happened as a result. We assess the circumstances of each case thoroughly, investigate what public liability insurance cover is held, and examine whether reasonable steps were taken to prevent such accidents. We also advise on liability claims involving complex questions about the extent of control or maintenance responsibilities.

We handle liability claims involving a broad range of incidents and physical injuries. Our team guides you through the entire public liability claims process – from your initial consultation to gathering evidence including witness statements, photographs, maintenance logs, and reports from medical professionals. If liability is accepted, we negotiate with the insurance company or provider to obtain early interim payments of damages to cover financial losses and rehabilitation needs, and to reach a settlement. Where necessary, we prepare for court proceedings to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

They are very professional and are focused on getting the right outcome.

We can handle personal injury claims under public liability on a no win, no fee basis, also known as a conditional fee agreement. This means you will not face any upfront legal fees or costs unless your claim is successful. Our lawyers will also advise on what expenses can be claimed, including medical expenses, lost earnngs, and the cost of ongoing treatment and care.

If you need to make a public liability insurance claim following an accident in a public place, contact Penningtons Manches Cooper. Our public liability lawyers provide free advice during an initial consultation and will explain your rights, the time limit for making a claim, and how to seek compensation for the injuries suffered.

How we help our clients

Legal advice on public liability claims following injuries in public spaces

Investigation into safety inspections, hazard reporting and maintenance failures

Collection of evidence to support public injury claims and establish negligence

Assessment of liability and available public liability insurance cover

Guidance on likely levels of compensation based on similar public liability payouts

Advice on public liability compensation claims involving councils or private owners

Assistance with interim payments and managing financial losses

Representation throughout the claims process, including court proceedings if necessary

Advice on public liability claims arising out of accidents caused by animals

Useful resources

Funding a personal injury claim

Making a personal injury claim

Those representing me showed a strong awareness of my injury and the effects on my life, which was reflected in the way they conducted my case.

The team offers a high level of expertise and client-focused guidance. From the beginning, contact and engagement has been professional, caring and comprehensive.

The team are prompt and clear with their knowledge, and explain things easily and in a way that demonstrates deep understanding of the processes involved.

The whole team is superb and works well together. The level of expertise is excellent.

Leading practice, well known for its expertise in catastrophic injury cases, particularly matters arising from RTAs. Handles a range of claims pertaining to fatal accidents, head and spinal injuries and amputations.

Recent work highlights

Falling metal site hoarding injury

Securing damages for a pedestrian whose elbow was fractured after being hit by a metal hoarding with such force that he was knocked to the pavement while he was walking past a building site.

Wrist fracture due to faulty cinema exit lights

Winning damages for a woman who lost her footing while leaving a cinema and fell over suffering a significant wrist facture and other soft tissue injuries. The exit door lights had failed to come on.

Fall from bike in unsafe road conditions

Settling a compensation claim for a cyclist against Transport for London and the local council after he came off his bicycle while riding through unprotected roadworks in a designated cycle lane.

Six figure sum for collision victim

Achieving a settlement for a driver seriously injured in a road traffic accident while driving to work along a country lane, due to the condition of the road. He sustained a traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures and loss of sight in one eye.

Serious injury at London health club

Securing an admission of liability from a private health club in Chelsea for serious dental injuries which were sustained by a nine year old girl when a locker room door was pushed open into her face.

Traumatic injury after fall from height

Acting for a client who suffered significant injuries after falling from a hospital roof while in a confused and agitated state. The incident occurred because the roof area had not been adequately secured.

Tragic cow trampling loss

Acting for the family of a lady in her 60s who was trampled to death by a herd of cows while using a public footpath. The farmer was aware that the cows presented a potential danger to those using the path due to previous incidents but took no steps to manage the situation.

Preventable equestrian cycle path accident

Advising a cyclist who sustained multiple injuries when he was kicked by a horse. The claim was made against the rider who rode the horse too close to the cycle path and the cyclists using it.

Spinal injury in icy public car park

Representing a pedestrian who suffered serious spinal fractures and was left with permanent mobility issues after she fell on untreated ice in a public car park.

Public firework display safety failure

Acting for a child who was injured at a public fireworks event where the organisers failed to put in place basic safety measures and allowed spectators to stand too close to the firework display.

Tragic cow trampling loss

Preventable equestrian cycle path accident

Advising a cyclist who sustained multiple injuries when he was kicked by a horse. The claim was made against the rider who rode the horse too close to the cycle path and the cyclists using it.

Spinal injury in icy public car park

Representing a pedestrian who suffered serious spinal fractures and was left with permanent mobility issues after she fell on untreated ice in a public car park.

Public firework display safety failure

Acting for a child who was injured at a public fireworks event where the organisers failed to put in place basic safety measures and allowed spectators to stand too close to the firework display.

Case studies

An elderly client was injured when she visited her local Sainsbury’s supermarket. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the store marked out a queueing system in its car park, in places using cord which was not adequately visible.

Our personal injury team recently recovered damages for a young female client who sustained a back injury as a result of negligent instruction by a teacher in a yoga class. At the time of the accident, our client was a beginner yoga student.

Our client was involved in a head-on collision in which she sustained a very severe traumatic brain injury and spent several months in a coma. After the accident, a defect was discovered in the rear brakes of our client’s vehicle.

We won substantial damages for a driver after he was seriously injured in a fatal road traffic accident which killed one person and seriously injured several others.