We advise on claims against businesses, local authorities, landlords, venues and other occupiers. We will explain who the correct defendant is, what has to be proved and which funding options may apply, including whether a no win no fee arrangement is available in your circumstances.
Can I Make a Claim?
- You were injured in a place open to the public or on premises you were lawfully visiting.
- The occupier failed to take such care as was reasonable to see that you would be reasonably safe.
- The hazard was known, or should have been discovered through reasonable inspection.
- You bring the claim within the standard three-year limitation period.
Situations We Are Instructed On
- Defective steps, ramps, doors and flooring in commercial premises
- Injuries at leisure centres, playgrounds, hotels and holiday parks
- Dog bites and injuries caused by animals under someone's control
- Falling stock, signage or display units in retail premises
- Crowd management failures at events and venues
- Injuries caused by poorly maintained council property
What Compensation Could I Claim?
- Damages for the physical injury and any resulting psychological symptoms
- Loss of earnings and lost self-employed income
- Treatment costs, including scarring management where relevant
- Care and assistance provided during recovery
- Out-of-pocket expenses, travel and damaged belongings
What can be recovered in any individual case depends on the medical evidence and on the losses that can be proved. We do not estimate figures before that evidence is available.
Evidence That Helps
- Photographs of the hazard and the surrounding area
- The venue's accident report and any correspondence acknowledging the incident
- CCTV requested promptly in writing
- Inspection, maintenance and cleaning records obtained through disclosure
- Medical evidence linking the injury to the incident
How Long Could the Claim Take?
Simple public liability claims with an early admission can conclude within six to twelve months. Claims against local authorities, or where inspection systems are relied upon as a defence, generally take longer and may require court proceedings.
No Win No Fee Funding for This Type of Claim
A No Win No Fee agreement — known in law as a conditional fee agreement — is a written contract between you and your solicitor. Under it, our fee for the legal work becomes payable only if your claim is successful. It is a way of funding a claim without paying our costs up front. It is not a promise about the outcome of your case, and it is not available in every matter.
How a No Win No Fee agreement works
- Assessment first. We review the facts, the likely evidence and your prospects before deciding whether we can offer this type of funding.
- If the claim succeeds. The opponent is usually ordered or agrees to pay a substantial part of your legal costs. A success fee — a percentage uplift on our charges, capped by law in personal injury work — is deducted from your compensation. The percentage will be stated in your agreement before you sign it.
- If the claim does not succeed. You would not pay our fee for the legal work covered by the agreement. You may still be responsible for certain disbursements and, in some circumstances, the opponent’s costs, which is why insurance arrangements are discussed with you at the outset.
- Deductions and other costs. Expenses such as medical reports, court fees, expert evidence and any insurance premium are dealt with separately. We will explain which of these may be deducted from your damages and how they are calculated.
- Alternatives. You may already have legal expenses cover through a household, motor or credit card policy, or through a trade union. We will ask about this because it may be a better option for you.
Who may be eligible
Eligibility depends on the individual case, including whether another party appears to be legally responsible, whether the injury and losses can be evidenced, and whether the claim is brought in time. Some claims are not suitable for this form of funding. We will tell you honestly if we cannot act on this basis, and explain the alternatives that may be open to you.
The exact terms — including the success fee percentage, the disbursements involved and what would happen if the claim were unsuccessful — are set out in writing and explained to you before you decide whether to proceed. Nothing on this page is a guarantee about the outcome of a claim or a statement that any particular funding arrangement will be available. Please take advice about your own circumstances.
Speaking to a No Win No Fee Solicitor
The first conversation is an assessment, not a commitment. A solicitor will listen to what happened, identify who may be legally responsible and consider what evidence is likely to be available. In the context of public liability claims, that usually means looking closely at how the incident occurred, what records exist and how your injury has affected your work and daily life.
Once we understand the case, we can discuss funding. Where a conditional fee arrangement is appropriate, we will explain the terms, the deductions and the risks in writing so that you can make an informed decision. Where it is not appropriate, we will say so and set out any alternative route available to you, including existing insurance cover or union support. Either way, you will know where you stand before any work begins.
Public Liability Claims FAQs
- Do I claim against the business or the landlord?
- It depends on who controls the part of the premises where you were injured. We identify the correct occupier before making a formal claim.
- I was bitten by a dog. Is that a public liability claim?
- It can be. Claims may arise under the Animals Act or in negligence against the keeper of the animal, and household insurance sometimes responds.
- I was injured abroad on holiday. Can you help?
- Sometimes, particularly with package holidays where the UK tour operator may be responsible. The applicable law and jurisdiction need to be assessed at the outset.
- The council says it inspects regularly. Is my claim finished?
- No. The adequacy and frequency of the system must be tested against the records, which are obtained through the claims process.
Speak to our team
Tell us what happened and we will assess the claim and explain the funding options that may be available to you, in writing, before you decide how to proceed.