A simple walk back to a car should never end in surgery. But for our client, a hidden hazard on public property caused a serious wrist injury and weeks of pain, treatment and disruption.
While walking across public land, our client stepped onto what looked like a safe patch of ground. It wasn’t. A hole had been concealed by a layer of leaves, creating a dangerous and preventable trip hazard. They fell suddenly, instinctively putting a hand out to break the fall — and fractured their wrist.
As a result of this public liability accident claim, our client recovered £8,000 compensation.
Our client was returning to their vehicle when they encountered an unmarked hole that was not visible because it was covered by leaves. With no warning signs or barriers, the hazard blended into the surrounding ground.
The fall caused immediate pain and shock. Beyond the physical injury, our client described feeling stressed and overwhelmed, knowing right away that the incident was avoidable.
The impact led to a broken wrist, which required medical intervention including:
Surgery
Rehabilitation
Ongoing symptoms affecting day-to-day activities
Wrist injuries can significantly reduce independence — from driving and working to cooking, dressing, and lifting. In this case, the injury created lasting limitations and discomfort that affected everyday life.
If you’ve been injured in a slip, trip or fall on public property, you may be entitled to compensation — especially where the hazard was hidden, unmarked, or poorly maintained.
Start your public liability claim today:
Free initial consultation
No win, no fee options available
Clear advice on your next steps
Public liability claims often depend on proving that the responsible party failed to keep visitors reasonably safe. This case succeeded because the evidence supported three key factors:
The hole created a clear risk to pedestrians and should have been repaired, filled, covered, or clearly marked. Allowing it to remain concealed breached the duty to protect members of the public from foreseeable harm.
This was not a minor knock or bruise. A fractured wrist requiring surgery is a significant injury, typically involving prolonged recovery and restricted movement.
The claim succeeded because it could be shown that the responsible party knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to take reasonable steps to fix it or warn people.
Depending on where the accident happens, liability may rest with:
The local authority/council
A private landowner
A property management company
An organisation responsible for maintenance of the area
If you’re unsure who is responsible, a public liability solicitor can investigate ownership and maintenance responsibilities.
If you were injured due to a concealed hole, uneven surface, or poorly maintained walkway, these steps can strengthen your claim:
Take photos/videos of the hazard (and the surrounding area)
Report it to the relevant organisation (council/landowner)
Collect witness details
Keep medical records and receipts for expenses
Record how the injury affects work, mobility and daily tasks
Public liability claims are time-sensitive. The sooner you get advice, the easier it can be to secure evidence such as photos, reports, CCTV, and witness details.
You may be able to claim if:
The hazard was concealed (e.g., leaves, poor lighting, bad weather)
There were no warning signs or barriers
The area should have been inspected or repaired
At NJS Law, we help injured people pursue fair compensation after accidents caused by unsafe premises or public spaces.
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Yes. If a hazard was concealed (for example, by leaves or poor lighting) and there were no reasonable warnings, you may have a strong claim.
Compensation varies depending on severity, treatment, recovery time and impact on work and daily life. In this case, our client recovered £8,000 for a serious wrist injury.
You may still be able to claim. If responsibility is shared, compensation can be reduced under contributory negligence, but it does not automatically prevent a claim.
Get in touch using the form below or via the following methods:
If you’ve been injured in a slip, trip or fall on public property, you may be entitled to compensation — especially where the hazard was hidden, unmarked, or poorly maintained.
Start your public liability claim today:
Free initial consultation
No win, no fee options available
Clear advice on your next steps
