Suffering an injury in a public place is bad enough. But what makes it worse is when everyone starts passing the blame.
The shop blames the landlord while the landlord points at a contractor. And you have to deal with the pain, the appointments, the missed work and the worry over whether you can bring a personal injury claim at all.
But a denial is not the end of the road. Solicitors in Liverpool who deal with public place accident claims can look into who was actually responsible for the area.
Why would a shop, council or landlord deny responsibility?
After an accident in a public place, you may not immediately know who had to look after the area. The first person or organisation you speak to may not be the one legally at fault.
For example, a shop could trade from a rented unit, while the landlord looks after the rest of the building. A landlord may similarly own the building, but a repair company or managing agent may handle the periodic inspections and repairs.
That is what makes the duty of care so crucial. The duty of care means asking a simple question: who had to keep that place reasonably safe? The next question then follows: did they do enough to stop an avoidable accident?
What types of accidents can involve disputed responsibility?
The accident could involve a:
- slip on a wet shop floor
- trip on broken paving
- fall in a shared stairwell or in a hallway that nobody seems to look after properly
And it could happen in a:
- shopping centre
- restaurant
- car park
- rented housing
- shared outdoor space
Poor lighting can be responsible. And so can broken handrails, loose flooring, uncleaned spills or overdue basic repairs. Multiple people or organisations may share responsibility in these cases. The blame might sit with a business, landlord, property owner, managing agent, cleaner, repair company, council or insurance company. Naturally, these cases can easily get very complicated.
How can solicitors identify the responsible party?
A solicitor can investigate what happened, where it happened and who was responsible for that place. They may also look for past complaints, CCTV footage, accident reports, staff notes, contractor records and witness accounts.
What should you do if everyone is pointing the finger at someone else?
- Take photos of the hazard and the surrounding area. Note the exact address, nearby shops, landmarks, signs, entrances or anything else that helps show where the accident happened.
- Ask a staff member to record the accident in an accident book.
- Keep the receipts, emails, medical letters, appointment notes, report numbers, etc.
- Get the names of staff, witnesses, contractors or anyone you spoke to after the accident.
- Get medical help even if the injury does not look that serious.
Medical records can show the link between the accident and your injury. Photos and location details can also hint at who was responsible for the area.
Do not leave it too long. Personal injury claims can have time limits, so you need to get legal advice early.
Speak to Stallard Solicitors today
If a shop, council, landlord, or someone else has denied responsibility for your accident, you do not have to accept it and move on. Stallard Solicitors can explain your options, including how fees, deductions and funding may work. You can then decide what to do next. Contact Stallard Solicitors today to find out where you stand.
