Occupiers Liability
LPC & GDL Matthew Shiels
Legally reviewed by: LPC & GDL Matthew Shiels Updated:

Occupiers Liability Claims

If you are injured or ill as a result of poorly maintained private property or land, you can make an occupier’s liability claim. Our solicitors will guide you through the process from start to finish, helping you claim the compensation you deserve.

It doesn’t matter if you were walking through a supermarket, taking the stairs at the swimming pool, running through a park, visiting an art gallery or using a lift at a sports complex. When you are on private property, the owner – or ‘occupier’ – has a duty of care. If there’s clear proof that they have failed in that duty, and you were injured as a result, you can claim compensation.

Get in touch with our expert solicitors for your free consultation and find out what compensation you may be entitled to.

Compensation Claims for Accidents on Privately Owned Property

Did You Suffer from a Personal Injury on Private Premises?

At best, such an injury will be an inconvenience. At worst, it could have a life-altering impact on you and your loved ones.

If you find yourself injured as a result of poorly maintained privately owned land or property, taking legal advice and legal action might seem a little daunting.

We understand you can feel uncomfortable taking the first step toward claiming your compensation. Especially after the distress, you have already experienced from your injury.

That is why we handle each case with the greatest dedication and care. We treat each of our clients with the respect and dignity they deserve.

Making an Occupiers Liability Claim

If you have incurred an injury or illness as a visitor to a privately owned and managed property due to a lack of care or maintenance of safety standards, you may be entitled to make an occupiers liability claim.

Owners of private property accessible to the public have a duty to keep you safe while you are visiting the premises. This is covered under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957.

The legislation is set out to help to protect people visiting the private property.

Understanding the Occupiers Liability Act 1957

Like any legal document, the Occupiers Liability Act has specific terms. When it refers to the ‘occupier’, it means the person in control of the premises. A ‘visitor’ is anyone entitled to be on the property. Alternatively, a ‘trespasser’ is anyone not entitled to be on the property.

The Act outlines the duty of care that an occupier owes to visitors of their ‘premises’. If the occupier has been negligent in ensuring the maintenance and safety standards, they are in breach of the Occupiers Liability Act 1957.

When we speak of ‘the premises’ belonging to the occupier in this context, it incorporates not only land and buildings but also mobile structures, so any aircraft, vehicle or vessel.

Accidents in Transit

You may also have the right to make an occupier’s liability claim if you are involved in an accident in transit. This includes situations such as flying for business, sailing for your summer holiday or driving in a rental car.

Protection of Trespassers

The 1984 Act replaced the Occupiers Liability Act 1957. The Act recognises that the occupier also owes a duty of care towards trespassers. These are people who are unlawfully on a premises.

Examples of Claims our Solicitors have Handled

There are several claims that you can make following the introduction of the Occupiers Liability Act. Some examples of such claims are:

  • Stairs or a ramp that leads to a building that didn’t have the ice removed, causing a fall
  • A supermarket failing to place a wet floor sign causing slippage and injury
  • Injury caused by falling objects on poorly structured shelves
  • A fall from faulty play area equipment
  • A hire car malfunction causing a crash

Why You Should Claim Compensation

From our extensive experience with occupiers’ liability claims, we can truly understand the impact that injury and illness can have on a person, their family and their livelihood.

The physical damage doesn’t just lead to time off work and medical costs. It can manifest as emotional damage too – particularly in cases where the injury is irreversible.

Dedicated occupiers liability claims solicitors

Whatever your story, we can promise a secure, sensitive, and supportive legal process. A process driven by our determination to see you win the compensation you deserve.

Our dedicated team of experienced personal injury lawyers work on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you can forget about the financial stress.

Full Transparency

Our transparent approach allows you to be as involved as you wish. Therefore we will always keep you up to date with important information.

To learn more about how our team at AWH Solicitors make sure that you get the compensation that you deserve, please get in touch.

Our Success with Occupiers’ Liability Claims

In conclusion, we have a wealth of experience supporting clients through successful occupiers liability claims.  As a result, we support personal injury claims clients through every step of the legal journey and work hard to ensure their claim process causes as little disruption as possible.

Get in touch