Last updated · By Mustafa Bilgic · Figures reviewed against the Judicial College Guidelines
What counts as a slip, trip or fall claim
These claims arise whenever someone is hurt because a place was not kept reasonably safe. The most common scenarios are:
- Wet or spilled floors in shops, supermarkets and public buildings with no warning sign or clean-up.
- Broken or uneven pavements and potholes on public footpaths and highways.
- Poor lighting, trailing cables, obstructions and unmarked steps in shops, offices and venues.
- Workplace hazards — wet floors, cluttered walkways, missing handrails and falls from height.
- Holiday and hotel accidents — wet pool surrounds, damaged stairs and unlit walkways.
The fall itself is rarely the issue — what matters is the injury it caused and whether someone was legally responsible for the hazard.
Who is liable for a slip, trip or fall
Liability follows whoever controlled the place and had a duty to keep it reasonably safe (the "occupier"). In England & Wales this comes from the Occupiers' Liability Acts; in the US it is the law of premises liability, which varies by state. The likely defendant depends on where you fell:
| Where you fell | Usually liable | Start here |
|---|---|---|
| Shop, supermarket, store | The occupier / retailer | Supermarket calculator |
| Pavement, road, public park | Local council / highway authority | Claiming against the council |
| At work | Your employer | Work accident calculator |
| Other public or private premises | Occupier / landowner / business | Public liability calculator |
| Hotel, resort, holiday venue | Tour operator / venue | Holiday accident calculator |
For the underlying legal duty see premises liability and claiming against your employer.
What you have to prove
A slip or fall on its own is not enough — you must show the occupier was at fault. In practice that means establishing:
- There was a hazard — a spillage, broken surface, obstruction or poor lighting.
- They knew, or should have known, about it — for example a spill left unattended, or a defect reported but not fixed.
- They failed to take reasonable steps — no clean-up, no warning sign, no repair within a reasonable time.
- The hazard caused your injury — supported by prompt medical attention and a clear diagnosis. See medical evidence for a claim.
What slip, trip and fall claims pay out
Because the value tracks the injury, the range is enormous. The injury value comes from the published brackets, then your financial losses are added on top:
- Minor soft-tissue / sprain recovering within months — lower bracket.
- Wrist, ankle or shoulder fracture — middle bracket, larger with lasting symptoms. See wrist, ankle and shoulder calculators.
- Hip fracture, serious back injury, head injury — high bracket, especially in older claimants. See hip, back and head injury calculators.
For how the two parts combine, see general vs special damages and how compensation is calculated.
Estimate your slip, trip or fall claim
Pick the calculator that matches where you fell or which body part you injured. Each applies the same method — injury value plus financial losses — and switches between US $ settlement ranges and UK £ compensation.
Supermarket accident calculator
Falls in shops and supermarkets — occupier liability.
Supermarket calculator →Public liability calculator
Falls in public places and on business premises.
Public liability calculator →Premises liability calculator
The underlying duty owed by occupiers and landowners.
Premises calculator →Frequently asked questions
How much compensation can I get for a slip and fall?
It depends on the injury, not the fall. A minor sprain that settles within months sits at the lower end, while a broken hip, serious back injury or head injury can run far higher. The payout is the injury value plus your financial losses such as lost earnings and care. Use the calculator for your specific injury for a realistic figure.
Who is liable for a slip, trip or fall?
Whoever controlled the place where you fell and failed to keep it reasonably safe — a supermarket or shop, a council or highway authority for pavements, an employer for a workplace, or a private landowner. Liability turns on whether they knew or should have known about the hazard and had a reasonable chance to fix or warn about it.
What do I need to prove in a slip and fall claim?
That there was a hazard, that the occupier knew or ought to have known about it, that they failed to take reasonable steps, and that this caused your injury. Photographs of the hazard, an accident-book entry or incident report, and prompt medical attention are the strongest evidence.
Is there a time limit to claim for a fall?
Yes. In England and Wales the limit is usually three years from the accident. In the US it varies by state, often one to three years, and claims against a public body can have much shorter notice deadlines. Do not wait — see our claim time limits guide.