These type of accidents commonly occur on the highway, in a public place such as a shop or at work. Usually trips, slips and falls are caused by one of the following:

• A spillage
• A broken pavement
• A pothole
• An open grid
• A hazardous cable or wire
• A damaged carpet

Every occupier of land or buildings whether it be a supermarket, restaurant, office or home has a duty to take reasonable care for its visitors. Landlords also have a duty to take care of their tenants.

If you have tripped due to defect on the road or pavement such as a broken paving slab or pothole you may have a claim against the local council responsible for this area. Local councils are obliged to ensure that roads and pavements are reasonably safe for users. They need to demonstrate this by carrying out regular checks of the area, repairing defects and keeping accurate records of inspection and repairs. If they fail to do so then your claim is likely to be successful.

If you have an accident on the road or pavement It is very important that you gather as much evidence as possible from the outset in order to strengthen your case. You should take photographs of the defect showing the measurements in terms of depth and width and also obtain details of local residents who can confirm how long the defect has existed.

Many slip and trip accidents occur in the workplace. Your employer has a duty to ensure you can carry out your job safely by providing a safe working environment. This involves ensuring that all walkways are kept free from any tripping or slipping hazards such as spillages and loose cables.