Claiming compensation out from an injury that is caused by a slip, trip or fall can be tricky. If you slip on a patch of water at work, do you hold your employers liable or the plumbing company who did not work properly on the plumbing system? If you slipped on a road or a pavement, do you sue the council or the private firm that maintains the road or pavement?
Thankfully, you do not have to answer that question; your solicitor can answer that for you. Then again, you are required to present time-sensitive evidence. If you slipped on that puddle of water, check with your officemates that they saw it before your injury. If you need help in the documentation, your solicitor might have his own set of investigators who can gather the evidence for you, and properly at that.
Yes, a simple slip can cause head injuries, back injuries, broken bones and even paralysis. However, compensation claims for injuries arising from slipping and falling is one of the most abused. In the beginning, the councils simply paid out to anyone making a claim (for slipping on a road or a pavement) because an investigation would have cost more. The tide has turned however, and there are already strict guidelines and a good set of laws in place. You will find that although you tripped over a broken pavement slab, you cannot file a claim if the crack's lip does not reach the height requirement. And if you slipped on a slab that was broken only within the last 48 hours, the council will also not be held liable - they would not have known about the slab.
Thankfully though, the laws are kinder to those who have a genuine claim to file. These claims are often handled swiftly. Remember, though, that compensation claims for slips, trips and falls are only possible when the council or your employer has a proven liability. Do not expect a check in the mail if you tripped on your own shoelaces.
The rule of thumb then on claiming under "Slips, Trips and Falls" type of injury is that your slipping, tripping or falling was not your fault and you suffered from injuries that resulted in medical bills, loss of income, and pain.
In general, however, slips, trips and falls that were not your own fault could get you awarded for damages. These can include accidents that happened at work, or in public places, or in buildings, which were caused by uneven flooring or wet flooring. If you have any doubts on whether you are entitled to compensation or not, go and seek your solicitor's advice.
Aside from work places and roads, other circumstances under which you may make a claim for slips and falls include (a) shops that do not keep their floors dry or free from any spillage, (b) sports centers that do not keep their floors dry and free of hazardous objects, and (c) other people's homes that have not been kept safe.