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Pavement Trip Compensation – Can You Claim For An Uneven Pavement?
Learn how to make a pavement trip compensation claim, who is responsible, and how much you could receive.
£100 million in compensation
Pavement Trip Compensation – Can You Claim For An Uneven Pavement?
Learn how to make a pavement trip compensation claim, who is responsible, and how much you could receive.
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Last updated 30th March 2026. Falling on a pavement can cause minor injuries, but in some situations, it can result in bone fractures or more serious back injuries. Typically, local authorities or councils are responsible for performing regular repairs on public roads to prevent the risk of injury to members of the public. If you’ve been injured as a result of defective public walkways, you could make a claim with our solicitors here at JF Law.
Our solicitors are experienced in these types of public liability claims and can help offer support through every step of your claim. We understand that it can feel daunting to start a claim, which is why our team are committed to providing you with free legal advice and a personalised experience to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve. Whether it’s through helping you gather evidence to support your claim or answering any questions you might have, we are here to help.
Your Need To Know Questions Answered:
- Who Is Liable for My Injuries? In most cases of pavement accident claims, your local council or local authority would be liable for your injuries.
- How Long Do I Have to Claim? Generally, most public liability claims must be started within 3 years from the date of the accident.
- What Can I Sue My Council For? You can sue your council for the injuries caused by their negligent actions, and any related financial losses.
- Will This Claim Affect My Council’s Services? No, since your council will have insurance to cover compensation claims, their budget will remain unaffected by cases made against them.
- Will I Have to Pay Any Fees? Our solicitors here at JF Law work on a No Win No Fee basis, meaning you will not have to pay any fees for their services upfront. But you will pay them a success fee from your compensation if the claims a success.
To get a better idea of how much compensation for tripping on pavements you could receive, get in touch with our advisors today using the contact details below:
- Call us on 0151 375 9916
- Use our contact us form to get in touch
What Is A Pavement Accident Claim?
A pavement accident claim is a legal action designed to help you obtain compensation for injuries caused by falling on poorly maintained pavements.
For instance, a raised paving slab may cause you to trip, resulting in injuries such as a broken wrist or hip.
When the organisation responsible for pavement maintenance is proven to be at fault, you become eligible to receive compensation for your injuries.
Can I Claim For Falling On Pavement?
If you’ve suffered injuries from falling on a pavement, you might wonder if you can claim compensation. You could be eligible if your accident meets certain essential criteria.
To successfully pursue a pavement injury claim, three conditions must be met: you must have been owed a duty of care, that duty must have been breached, and the breach must have directly caused your injuries.
When using public pavements, you’re owed a duty of care by those responsible for maintaining them. According to the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, councils and other organisations in charge of pavement upkeep must ensure they’re reasonably safe for public use. If they neglect this responsibility, pavements can become hazardous and cause injuries.
For example, imagine you’re walking at night along a pavement maintained by your local council. A raised paving slab causes you to trip, resulting in a broken ankle. If it can be demonstrated that the council breached their duty by failing to regularly inspect and repair the pavement, you may qualify for compensation.
Contact our helpful advisors today to begin your claim or to find out how much compensation you could receive for your pavement accident.
Who Is Responsible For Pavement Accidents In The UK?
Under the Highways Act 1980, the designated highway authority is responsible for all areas of a carriageway, including pavements. In most instances, this will be the relevant local authority, but other parties may be responsible depending on the road type. For example:
- Local councils are responsible for most of the pavements in their areas, including the walkways in towns and along B roads.
- National Highways have jurisdiction over pavements along major A roads.
- Private landowners and businesses are required to maintain any walkways on their private property.
It may also be the case that contractors hired by the above parties to repair a pavement did not carry out the repairs properly, leaving the pavement unsafe. In these instances, the contractor would be responsible.
Can The Council Defend A Pavement Claim?
Yes, a council can defend a pavement claim through what is called a “Section 58 defence,” whereby a highway authority is not deemed liable for any injury if it can show that all reasonable care had been taken to repair part of the highway.
Evidence such as maintenance logs, having a reasonable inspection system in place and records that show any complaints regarding the state of the pavement were acknowledged and a repair was organised within a reasonable time frame can be submitted to surpport a claim for pavement trip compensation. Additional guidance regarding making a claim for falling on a pavement, as well as a free eligibility check are available at any time from our dedicated advisors. Get in touch today using the contact information given below.
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How Much Compensation For Tripping On Pavement?
Compensation for tripping on a pavement can be formed of two heads of loss. The first is called general damages which covers any physical pain or emotional suffering caused by the injuries.
When claiming for falling on a pavement, you might need to attend an appointment with an independent medical specialist during the claims process. The report generated from this assessment will help whoever is valuing your claim to determine the correct level of compensation. It may also be used in conjunction with the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG).
The JCG provides guideline settlement brackets for many different types of injuries. Therefore, we’ve used the data in our compensation table that follows. Please note, however, that the figures listed are not guaranteed because pavement injury claims are valued on an individual basis.
Potential Compensation Awards In Pavement Accident Claims
Note, that the first line in our table does not come from the JCG.
| Type Of Injury | Category | Guideline Settlement Bracket | Further Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries and Special Damages | Severe | Up to £1,000,000 + | Compensation for multiple severe injuries that lead to physical and psychological pain. Also, covers special damages including the cost of a carer, medical expenses, lost earnings and home modifications. |
| Injury Resulting From Brain Injury | Very Severe | £344,150 to £493,000 | Brain injuries that result in little or no environmental response, double incontinence, the requirement for full time care and little or no language function. |
| Neck Injuries | Severe(i) | In the region of £181,020 | Neck injuries that cause permanent spastic quadriparesis. |
| Severe(ii) | £80,240 to £159,770 | Considerable severe disabilities linked to serious damage or fractures to the discs in the cervical spine. | |
| Knee Injuries | Severe(i) | £85,100 to £117,410 | Knee injuries that cause gross ligamentous damage, osteoarthritis, considerable pain and loss of function and where lengthy treatment is needed. |
| Leg Injuries | Severe(ii) | £66,920 to £109,290 | Very serious leg injuries that cause permanent mobility problems with the need for crutches for the rest of the claimant’s life. |
| Back Injuries | Severe(ii) | £90,510 to £107,910 | Nerve root damage with associated loss of sensation amongst other issues. |
| Ankle Injuries | Severe | £38,210 to £61,090 | Injuries that have needed an extensive treatment period and/or long time in plaster. |
Can I Claim Back Any Money I Lost Because Of The Accident?
The second head of loss, special damages, covers any out of pocket expenses incurred due to injuries sustained from tripping on a pavement.
As such if your claim for falling on a pavement is successful, it could include compensation to reimburse the following:
- Care costs.
- Medical expenses.
- Lost income.
- The cost of making changes to your home or vehicle to help you cope with any permanent disabilities linked to your injuries.
- Travel expenses.
To help prove any costs you’ve incurred following a public liability accident, you should retain evidence such as receipts, wage slips, or bank statements.
If you’ve suffered a pavement injury and want us to provide an estimate of what your potential claim could be worth, please feel free to call.
How Can I Prove My Pavement Accident Claim?
When making a claim for falling on a pavement, it’s important to establish who was responsible for the accident, why it happened, and how your injuries have affected you. You can do this by gathering as much evidence as possible.
Some examples of evidence that could help when claiming for a fall in the street include:
- A diary of medical treatment you’ve received and the symptoms you have experienced after the accident caused your injuries.
- Copies of medical records. These can be generated after you seek medical attention.
- The contact information from any witnesses who saw you fall.
- Photographic evidence of the raised pavement or other pavement defect or your injuries caused by the defect.
- CCTV footage or other recordings of the accident.
If one of our expert solicitors offers to represent you, they can help you gather evidence and build your case as part of the services they offer.
Get in touch to find out more about how they can help and whether you could have valid grounds to instruct them to represent your pavement trip claim.
What Are The Causes Of Pavement Accident Claims?
As we’ve explained above, you might be entitled to claim for falling on a pavement if it can be proven that your accident and injuries were caused by a breach of duty by another party. If this isn’t proven, you won’t be able to claim compensation.
Examples of how a trip or fall on a pavement could occur include:
- There was a failure to repair a pavement defect promptly after a regular inspection such as a pothole, raised tree roots, missing kerbstones, a broken pavement, or raised paving slabs. You tripped on the hazard and you suffered a broken wrist and elbow as a result.
- You slipped in after there was a failure to grit the pavement in icy conditions. As a result, you sustained a serious back injury.
- There was a failure to cordon off the area of the pavement where utility work was being carried out. As a result, you tripped over a hole left by a missing manhole cover causing you to suffer a broken ankle and torn Achilles tendon.
- Accidents can also be caused by a combination of potholes and defective pavements. If you’ve tripped and fallen on a pothole, you could also claim compensation.
If you’d like advice on how to make a public liability compensation claim for a pavement injury, please call one of our specialist advisors to discuss your case.
How Can We Support You With Your Pavement Accident Claim
We know the pavement trip compensation claims process can seem slightly daunting at first. Between gathering evidence, getting the necessary medical care and completing all the required forms on time, there is a considerable amount of work involved. Which is exactly why the personal injury experts at JF Law take upon themselves to do as much of the hard work for you as they can.
“Experts” is a big claim but with over £100 million in damages won for more than 12,000 satisfied clients, we’ve definitely earned the accolade. Our solicitors pride themselves on offering a comprehensive end-to-end service to all eligible claimants. Here are just some of the ways JF Law can assist you and the services we can provide:
- Putting you in touch with trusted medical professionals, such as physiotherapists, joint specialists and other physicians to ensure you get the necessary treatment.
- Maintain correspondence with the defendants throughout the claim and keep you up to speed on how your claim for falling on the pavement is progressing.
- Taking the time to ensure you understand the claims process and explaining all the technical legal language. You can also see our legal glossary here.
- Assisting you with collecting supporting evidence, such as requesting maintenance logs from the council.
- Determining a compensation figure for the claim, including your lost earnings and other costs.
- Negotiating a settlement with the defendants’ solicitors on your behalf.
This list is of course just a small insight into how JF Law can support you throughout the claims process. Get in touch with our dedicated advisors to find out if you could claim compensation for tripping on a pavement today, and to learn more about how our expert solicitors can help you.
Claim Compensation With JF Law's No Win No Fee Solicitors
JF Law’s solicitors work on a strictly No Win No Fee basis, offering their services to eligible claimants under a type of contract called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). When you work with one of our solicitors under this type of agreement, you’ll enjoy some considerable protections, such as:
- No service fee payable to the solicitor when the claim begins or as it progresses.
- The CFA also means claimants do not owe any service fees if the claim fails.
- The Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013 imposes a cap on what solicitors can charge if the claim is won.
The law states that a success fee is deducted from your compensation in the event your claim succeeds. A maximum percentage of 25% may be charged for this, meaning the CFA overwhelmingly benefits the claimant.
To see if one of our solicitors could help you claim for falling on pavement under No Win No Fee terms, you can use the following contact details:
- Call our team on 0151 375 9916.
- Use our Contact Us form to get in touch.
Read More About How To Make A Personal Injury Claim
Finally, we’ve also linked to some resources we think you may find useful:
- NHS advice on when to call 999.
- A government page on how to report a pothole to your local authority.
For more advice on how to claim for falling on a pavement, please speak to one of our friendly specialists.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What Types Of Injuries Can You Claim For After A Pavement Fall?
A fall on the pavement might seem minor at first, but it can lead to serious injuries—and if someone else was at fault, you may be entitled to compensation.
People often claim for injuries such as sprained ankles, broken wrists, head injuries, or back pain after a trip or slip on the pavement. Some falls can even result in long-term mobility problems or the need for surgery.
Aside from the physical injuries, you can also claim for financial losses. This might include time off work, medical expenses, travel costs to appointments, or even the cost of care and support if you’re unable to manage on your own during recovery.
So, in short:
You can claim compensation for injuries caused by a pavement fall.
The types of injuries include fractures, sprains, head injuries and more.
If your daily life or income has been affected, you may be owed financial support too.
Who Is Responsible For Pavements In The UK?
In most cases, it’s the local council or authority that looks after public pavements and walkways. Under the Highways Act 1980, councils have a duty to keep pavements in a safe condition. That means they must carry out regular inspections and fix hazards within a reasonable timeframe.
If they fail to do that—and someone is injured as a result—they could be held legally responsible.
In simple terms:
Councils are responsible for maintaining public pavements.
If they don’t fix a known issue, they could be liable for injuries.
That includes things like uneven slabs, potholes, or loose paving stones.
In some cases, the Highways Authority may be responsible for a certain piece of pavement. The best thing to do is to take pictures, make an accurate note of the location, and seek legal advice.
How Long Do I Have To Claim?
One of the most important things to know about making a claim after a pavement fall is the time limit. In most cases, you have three years from the date of the accident to start your claim.
This is called the limitation period, and if you wait too long, you could lose the right to claim—even if your case is strong.
There are exceptions. For example:
If the person injured is under 18, the three-year clock doesn’t start until their 18th birthday.
If someone lacks the mental capacity to make a claim, there’s no time limit until (or unless) that changes.
Contact Us
Our helpline is open 24 hours a day, 7 days per week.
All calls are free and there’s no pressure whatsoever to proceed with a compensation claim.
If you write to us, we aim to respond within an hour or two, and no more than a few hours.
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