Public Liability refers to spaces owned by public entities (e.g. local councils and authorities), such as:

A public liability claim could take place in a wide range of areas, such as
• Schools, colleges, and universities
• Libraries and government buildings
• Parks, roads and pavements

Occupier’s Liability is the term used when the public space is owned privately, such as:
• Shops, supermarkets and DIY stores
• Train and bus stations, garages, car parks, petrol stations and taxi ranks
• Fitness centres, gymnasiums, solaria and swimming pools
• Leisure and theme parks
• Construction and building sites
• Bars, restaurants and pubs.

The term public liability is often used to cover occupiers’ liability claims as well.

If you’re injured in a public place, public liability insurance helps simplify the claims process. All businesses and organisations in Scotland are required to have public liability insurance to cover personal injury claims, so your compensation claim would be paid for by their insurance company.

You can still make a claim if the owner or occupier doesn’t have public liability insurance. While insurance can make the process easier, there may still be an occasion where the responsible party don’t have it. In this instance, your solicitor can help you pursue compensation directly and guide you through the claims process.

• You have three years to start a claim, but acting quickly will improve your chances of a successful claim.

• Your personal injury solicitor will need to prove that the accident was the fault of those responsible for the public space or someone employed by them. This means that gathering the right evidence is crucial when it comes to your claim.

• Compensation is based on the extent of your injuries, and any costs and expenses relating to your injuries.

• Our no-win, no-fee policy means you can start a claim with peace of mind.

We understand that being in an accident can be traumatising and making a claim for compensation might seem daunting. However, winning compensation for someone else’s negligence in causing an accident in public can play an important role in getting your life back on track, enabling you to access any medical treatment or rehabilitation you need, adjust your home and lifestyle, and offsetting any loss in income over the short or long term.

We might ask for some information to help process your claim. Don’t worry if you don’t have everything at first – there might be other ways that we can get the details:

• The name and address of who was responsible for your accident
• Names and contact details of any witnesses to the accident
• If possible, photographs of where the accident happened and any details, for example how deep the pothole was, if there was a wet floor sign in view, etc
• Photographs of your injuries and any other property
• A description of the position and movements of the people involved in the accident, for example if there was equipment involved, etc

We can help you secure the resources you need, whether that means medical treatment, financial compensation, or both. We provide a comprehensive accident claims service, including operating on a no win, no fee basis. We have helped many victims and their families throughout the claims process and are ready to support you at this difficult time.

Our experienced team are on hand to guide you every step of the way, and we will be sure to handle your circumstances with the utmost sensitivity.

The compensation you can claim for will depend on the accident and how your injuries have affected you. We will make every effort to understand the effects of the accident to get you the compensation you deserve. There are several factors considered before an offer is made, for example:

• Your personal injury – the nature of your injuries and any physical pain and suffering because of the accident
• If your injuries meant you were unable to work, you can claim for loss of earnings
• If your injuries affect your ability to work in the future, you can claim for compensation to reflect the difficulties you may face at work. This includes a lack of promotions, pension entitlement, etc.
• If your family members helped care for you due to your injuries, this is factored into the compensation amount