Slips and trips in public places

Parks and public spaces are designed so that people can experience an hour of two of tranquility in their lives, before going back to the everyday hustle and bustle. What is sometimes forgotten is that public parks are potentially very hazardous places. Accidents can happen, and it is likely that when they do, those who are on the unfortunate end of a slip, trip or fall will in many cases wish to enlist the help of a Solicitor to help get them obtain the compensation they are entitled to. But what steps are required to make a claim? And who or what is to blame if an accident does happen?

One of our firsts tasks is to find out who is responsible for the upkeep of the public space. Local councils usually have the responsibility for the maintenance and upkeep of these areas, and therefore it is likely that a claim for compensation would be submitted to them. Some are owned by other organizations such as charities or the National Trust. Of course, there is always a real prospect that the Defendant will deny liability, and there are things that can be done to increase your chances of success.

We always advise clients to take clear photographs of the object or defect which caused you to fall as well as the surrounding area, showing clear landmarks where possible. Accurate measurements using rulers are very helpful as are mobile phone videos of the scene. Please do this before you report the accident to the owner of the premises as once defects have been repaired, they are impossible to measure accurately.

If there were any witnesses to your accident, or people that came to help at the scene, ask them for their contact details so your Solicitor can use their statements to support your case. Solicitors will never ask you to take a witness statement yourself as this is our role and we are happy to do the leg work once a witness has been identified. Having somebody there who can corroborate your version of events will normally strengthen your position.

After taking measurements and pictures, please report the accident, preferably by email, to the organization that is responsible for the upkeep of the park.

The final and possibly most important step an individual can take is to seek medical attention after the accident. There is a direct correlation between the severity of your injuries, and the amount of compensation you could receive. If liability is admitted, Solicitors will instruct a medical expert to prepare a report on your injuries. Medical experts will often wish to see copies of an injured party’s medical records, so they can guarantee accuracy when publishing.

Many think that it is a daunting prospect to seek legal advice. Prospective clients often want assurances that the Solicitors they instruct have the expertise, knowledge and technical know-how to ensure their claim for compensation is going to be pursued competently and efficiently.

If you have had an accident in a public place, either recently or in the last three years, do not hesitate to get in touch, as our personal injury lawyers have been helping people like you obtain adequate compensation for decades, and have the tools at their disposal to ensure that your claim has the best prospects of succeeding.

If you would like free advice about any type of claim, please call us on 0121 752 2818 or email our team at info@personalinjurylawyerbirmingham.org

By: Joshua Davies
Title: Slips and trips in public places
Sourced From: www.tayloremmet.co.uk/blog/wordpress/slips-and-trips-in-public-places/
Published Date: Thu, 09 Apr 2020 15:05:08 +0000