How To Claim Compensation For A Slip, Trip, Or Fall On Snow And Ice

By Marlon Fawkes. Last Updated 4th March 2024. In this guide, we explain how to claim compensation for injuries caused by a slip, trip or fall on ice or snow if it was caused by another party’s negligence.

Wintery weather conditions in the UK can be dangerous. When snow and ice form, there is a severe risk of slips, trips and falls. Business owners and local authorities are expected to take reasonable steps with regard to avoiding slips, trips and falls on ice, including using a risk assessment for snow and ice to help you stay safe and reduce the risk of injury. You may be advised to walk slowly, take small steps, and wear appropriate footwear. However, if someone owes you a duty of care and they fail to fulfil this, this could result in an injury.

If you have been injured when you slipped and fell on ice, and it was not your fault, you may be entitled to compensation for a slip and trip.

This is something we can help you to secure with the help of No Win No Fee personal injury solicitors. Read on to discover more about making a claim for slip and trip accidents in icy conditions. You can also call us on 0800 073 8801 if you have any questions.

Select a Section

Stairs getting cleared of ice and snow

Slip & Trip Claims – How To Start Your Claim After A Fall On Ice

You may be eligible to make a claim for compensation if you can demonstrate that:

  • You were in an environment where you were owed a duty of care
  • A breach of this duty occurred
  • You suffered an injury because of this breach

A duty of care means a responsibility that a party has towards the safety and well-being of others. Your employer owes a duty of care to you. A duty of care also applies to those managing public areas, both indoor like restaurants and bars and outdoor spaces, such as parks and roads owned by the local authority. These duties are outlined in various health and safety legislation, including the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA) and the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 (OLA).

For example, if you work in an office building, your employer may be responsible for using rock salt when freezing temperatures are predicted to help prevent slips and falls. Similarly, they may undertake a risk assessment to ensure it is safe for the area to remain open, and provide guidance to help reduce the risk of injuries.

Our advisers can provide you with more guidance on slip and trip claims and how to establish that you are eligible to make a claim.

How Long Do I Have To Claim If I Was Injured After I Slipped On Ice?

If you have slipped on ice at work or in a public place, you typically have up to three years from the date that the accident occurred to start a claim.

This limitation period is set out in the Limitation Act 1980. However, there can be exceptions to this in some cases.

For example, if someone under the age of 18 is injured after they slipped on ice due to negligence, the time limit is suspended until they turn 18 and can make a claim on their own behalf. However, during this suspended period, a litigation friend could potentially claim for them.

Similarly, the time period is frozen for adults with limited mental capacity, and a litigation friend can claim on their behalf at any point until, or if, they recover.

However, after you have slipped on the ice, we would advise getting in contact with our team as soon as possible. Our advisors are able to offer you a free no obligation consultation.

Additionally, our advisors can explain what steps you might consider taking after you have slipped on ice, or who could be liable for a slip and fall on ice and work. If our advisors think you could be eligible to claim, you may also be connected to our specialist solicitors to help you claim personal injury compensation.

Common Injuries Caused By A Slip, Trip, Or Fall On Snow And Ice

A slip, trip or fall on snow and ice can result in a number of injuries. However, as we’ve already mentioned, you must be able to prove that your slip was caused by another party breaching their duty of care in order to make a claim.

Some examples of injuries that you could potentially make a personal injury claim for include:

  • Head injuries: Slips and falls on ice and snow can cause you to fall and hit your head. Head injuries can include concussions, skull fractures, bruises, and brain damage. 
  • Broken bones: Slips trips and falls caused by ice or snow can also lead to broken bones. Falling on a hard surface or down stairs could result in a broken leg, or landing on your arm could cause a broken wrist.
  • Sprains and soft tissue injuries: Ice or snow can also cause sprains and soft tissue injuries. For example, slippery floors could cause you to twist your knee, damaging the soft tissue there. 

These are just a few examples of injuries that snow, ice, and winter weather could contribute. If another party breached their duty of care towards you and this lead to slips and falls on ice or snow, contact our team today. Or, read on to find out more about the slips trips and falls claims process.

Compensation For A Slip, Trip, or Fall On Ice and Snow

If you fell after a slip on ice or snow, you might be wondering how much compensation you could receive. If you make a successful claim, you’ll receive one of two heads of claim. This is known as general damages, and compensates for your injuries and the pain and suffering you go through as a result. 

When this head of claim is valued, the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) may be referenced. The JCG outlines guideline compensation amounts for many different kinds of injuries, with a differing bracket for each severity. 

In the table below, you can find a short list of examples of JCG brackets that may be relevant to injuries sustained after slipping on ice. However, please note that these amounts are only guidelines, and that the first entry has not been taken from the JCG. 

Judicial College Guidelines Compensation Brackets

The type of injury sustained due to a slip trip or fall on snow and iceExtra information about the injuryTypical payout amount
Multiple Severe Injuries And Special DamagesMultiple severe injuries combined with severe financial losses, which may include lost earnings and pension contributions.Up to £200,000+
Severe neck injuriesThis could be anything from a severe fracture or soft tissue injury to spastic quadriparesis or incomplete paraplegia.This could be anything from £45,470 - £148,330
Moderate neck injuriesModerate (ii). This includes injuries that have been made worse due to the fall, as well as dislocations and fractures.£13,740 to £24,990
Moderate neck injuriesModerate (iii). The impact the injury is having on your life, as well as any pain medication that is needed, are taken into account.£7,890 to £13,740
Leg injurySevere leg injuries. This award is for those that just fall short of amputation.£96,250 to £135,920
Leg injuryLess serious leg injuries. Less debilitating leg injuries, for example, a simple fracture with a quick recovery in a few months.£17,960 to £27,760
Injuries to the pelvis and hips Moderate (i) where there isn't permanent disability and risks for the future aren't great£26,590 to £39,170
Injuries and fractures to the ribAlthough there is severe disability and pain, a full recovery should be made within a matter of weeks.Up to £3,950
Elbow injuries(A) Severely disabling£39,170 to £54,830
Clavicle fractureHow permanent the injury is and any symptoms will be considered when determining the award.£5,150 to £12,240

What Else Could I Claim After A Slip On Ice?

The second head of claim that you could receive is called special damages. While general damages are awarded to every successful claimant, only certain people are eligible for special damages.

This is because it covers the financial losses you endure because of your injuries. For example, many people are unable to work after a serious injury such as a broken bone or a concussion. If you’ve lost out on earnings because of your injuries, then you may be able to claim them back under special damages, along with the cost of:

  • Medical treatments and prescriptions
  • Travel
  • Childcare
  • Mobility aids
  • Home adjustments
  • Help with cooking or cleaning

However, in order to claim under this heading, you need to be able to provide proof of your financial losses. To do so, you can keep any relevant receipts, bills, or invoices.

To learn more about claiming compensation for a slip and fall on ice or snow, get in touch with our team of helpful advisors today.

Could I Make A No Win No Fee Claim For A Slip, Trip or Fall On Snow And Ice?

Our solicitors are here to help if you are eligible to claim following a slip or trip in icy conditions. Our solicitors work under a kind of No Win No fee contract known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). You usually won’t be asked to pay your solicitor any upfront fees for their work under a CFA, nor will you be asked to pay for their work if your claim fails.

If the claim succeeds, your solicitor will take a success fee. This is a small, legally capped percentage of your compensation. The legal cap helps to make sure that you keep the larger share of what you receive.

Working with a solicitor on claims for slip and trip accidents in winter weather can be very beneficial. This is because an expert solicitor can help you negotiate a settlement award, and gather evidence to prove liability in your claim.

Contact Us

If you’d like to learn more about claims for slip and trip accidents, contact our team of advisors today. They can evaluate your claim for free, and potentially connect you with a solicitor from our team. To get started:

More Information On Slip And Trip Claims

We hope reading our guide on claiming compensation for slipping on ice has been helpful. You can speak to our advisors about claiming for injuries after falling on ice using the contact details found within this guide.