Tripping and slipping accident claim solicitors
If you’ve had a trip, slip or fall then contact the tripping and slipping accidents specialists for a free case assessment and details of no win, no fee funding.
Tripping and slipping accidents are very common, especially in Devon and Somerset, and can often result in serious injury. There are two main types of tripping and slipping accidents. First, there are the trips and slips that occur in the street and on the public highway. Second, there are tripping and slipping accidents that occur on private premises, such as shops or hotels.
Tripping and slipping accidents that occur on the public highway in Devon and Somerset are normally made against the local council. If the accident happened on private premises then the claim is made against the occupier of the building or the land on which the accident occurred.
LIABILITY FOR TRIPPING AND SLIPPING ACCIDENTS IN DEVON & SOMERSET
Occupiers of premises have a legal responsibility to take reasonable care to ensure the safety of visitors. This means that the occupier is legally obliged to keep the premises in good order, and that includes external steps and pathways as well as the interior of buildings.
The legal duty for local authorities is slightly different. With injuries arising from a trip on a pavement, the defect causing the accident will normally need to be around an inch or more in height for a successful compensation claim to be made. It is always a good idea to photograph the defect using an everyday object to give some idea of the scale. A 50p coin is commonly used as it measures about an inch (or 2½cm).
EVIDENCE TO SUPPORT A COMPENSATION CLAIM
As with all accidents, it helps if you have independent witnesses. It’s therefore important that you get the name and address of anyone who sees the accident occur.
If the accident happens on private premises such as a shop, a hotel, a railway station or an office then you should report the incident to the owner or manager. Ask them to make an entry in their accident book. Check what is written and request a copy.
If anyone admits liability for the accident then make a careful record of what is said and again make a note of names and contact details.
LOCAL DEVON SOLICITORS CAN MAKE THE DIFFERENCE
Being a local firm of solicitors Slee Blackwell has the advantage of local knowledge. We have dealt with numerous claims against Devon County Council and Somerset County Council as well as the various district councils in Somerset and Devon
An early inspection of the scene of the accident is often very important in helping to establish liability, so with our network of accident claims offices across Devon and Somerset we are ideally placed to visit the scene before important evidence is lost.
We cover the whole Devon and Somerset area including: Axminster, Barnstaple, Bideford, Braunton, Bridgwater, Brixham, Burnham, Chulmleigh, Crediton, Dawlish, Exeter, Exmouth, Holsworthy, Ilfracombe, Kingsbridge, Lynton, Newton Abbot, Okehampton, Ottery St Mary, Paignton, Plymouth, Shepton, Sidmouth, South Molton, Taunton, Tavistock, Tiverton, Torbay, Torquay, Torrington, Wells, Weston and Yeovil.