Ice Slip Injury Compensation Claims

If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by an ice slip accident we can help.

The purpose of this guide is to help anyone who has suffered an ice slip accident and is considering a legal claim for compensation. If you are looking for medical advice, please see the NHS website.

In our guide to claiming ice slip injury compensation:


According to Hospital Episode Statistics for England, 7,031 people needed treatment in hospital after slipping on ice or snow in 2012/13. In the milder winter of 2013/14 the number was far lower at around 1,200.

A clear indication that ice slip accidents are weather dependent.

Whilst it is impossible to control the weather, it is possible to reduce the risk of ice slip accidents by keeping roads and footpaths cleared. But who is responsible?

Roads and Pavements

The Highways Act 1980 states that the Highway Authority - usually the local council - has a duty to ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, that the pavements and roads are safe to use.

Shops, supermarkets, schools, hospitals and other public places

The Occupiers' Liability Act 1957 states that occupiers have a legal duty under to take reasonable care to see that visitors are reasonably safe whilst using their premises. This extends to ensuring paths, walkways and other areas are cleared of ice and snow.

At work

Employers have a legal duty to make sure that their workplace is reasonably safe. This includes clearing snow and ice as well as all other health and safety measures.

The key term in all areas is ‘reasonable'

Do I have an ice slip injury claim?

It should be possible to make an ice slip injury claim if your injury happened:

  • in the last three years, and;
  • someone else was at fault, and;
  • that person owed you a duty of care.
Check my claim

Do I have a claim? - Common questions

What if a child was injured?

The 3 year rule does not apply to minors.

A claim can be pursued for anyone under the age of 18 by a parent, guardian or litigation friend. The injured child has up to the age of 21 to start an ice slip injury claim on their own behalf.

Read more about claiming injury compensation on behalf of a child.

What if there is no evidence?

Evidence can take the form of eyewitness accounts, CCTV footage, photographs etc. It will be difficult to win an ice slip injury claim with no evidence at all. You may feel that there is no evidence but a solictor may well be able to assist in collating evidence that you, as a claimant, were unaware of.



What is reasonable?

It may not be possible for a local authority to clear every road and footpath as soon as snow or ice forms. Most authorities have a maintenance plan which prioritises the busiest roads and footpaths.

A person falling on a newly frozen surface may find it difficult to prove the local authority negligent as it could reasonably offer a defence of not having had sufficient time to remedy the situation.

If though, the authorities have had sufficient time to clear a pavement then there may be a legitimate personal injury claim.

In a public place, whilst it is not always reasonable to expect the occupier to clear all snow and ice, there are many steps that may be taken to ensure visitor safety. The larger the public place, the greater the number of visitors, and therefore the more steps the occupier may be expected to take.

Occupiers should take note of weather forecasts and be prepared to clear and grit pathways. They can also put up warning notices - or even close the premises. It is not a defence to state that members of the public ‘invited' on to the premises do so at the risk of slipping on ice.

At work, an employer that does not take reasonable steps may be negligent. The general rule is the larger the workforce the more steps the employer might reasonably be expected to take.

Main walkways leading from car park to place of work should be cleared or gritted, even if they are unable to clear the whole car park.

Public places and workplaces should also ensure that excess water can be removed from visitors' feet to prevent interior surfaces becoming wet and slippery.

How does someone injured in an ice slip accident seek compensation?

A slip on ice can be serious, especially for older people. It is likely that injuries may require medical treatment and a prompt consultation will provide an official account of the injuries sustained.

Because there are many different circumstances in ice related falls it is important to record as much detail as possible - the location of the fall, how long the surface had been icy, if it had been reported, and if anyone else had fallen as a result? If there are any witnesses it is useful to gather their accounts.

This will help to establish if the defendant had failed to take reasonable steps to reduce the risks. A personal injury solicitor will then advise if bringing a claim for compensation is possible.

The panel of solicitors have successfully pursued claims for claimants who have sustained broken bones, dislocated joints, severe bruising and whiplash through slipping on ice, so speak to us now about your injury.

How much compensation can I claim for an ice slip injury?

The amount of money you could claim for your ice slip injury will depend on:

  • the extent of your injury, and
  • any financial losses or costs you have incurred.

At the start of your claim, your solicitor will consider the many ways your ice slip injury has affected your life. Your solicitor will take all of these effects into account to calculate the correct compensation award for you.


General damages



Special damages


What can I claim for after an ice slip injury? (see list)


  • Lost earnings (including future earnings)
  • Medical treatment costs
  • Physiotherapy
  • Travel costs
  • Costs of care
  • Costs of adapting your home or car

How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?



For example:

General damages for a serious ankle injury can be £35,000




What is the average injury compensation for an ice slip injury claim?


However, the money you would receive following an ice slip injury will depend entirely on your specific circumstances.


Can I claim for an existing ice slip injury that has got worse?


Ice slip injury compensation

Calculating how much compensation you can claim for an ice slip injury can be complicated.


Find out what your ice slip injury claim could be worth now:

Calculate compensation

How long does an ice slip injury claim take?

How long it can take to win compensation for an ice slip injury can vary considerably.

For instance, a simple liability uncontested injury claim could be completed in a few weeks. If liability is denied, however, a compensation claim can take substantially longer. Normally a slip or trip claim will take 6 to 9 months. How long will my claim take?

Caring and sensitive support

Your solicitor will handle your ice slip injury claim from the initial consultation through to the financial settlement. In addition, your solicitor will work with other specialists to help you with:

  • Coordination: with rehabilitation providers and therapists.

How did your injury occur?


No win, no fee - the facts

'No win, no fee' means that if your ice slip injury claim is unsuccessful, you won't have to pay any legal fees. Known as a 'Conditional Fee Agreement' or 'CFA', no win, no fee is a legal contract entered into between you and a solicitor.

Our no win, no fee promise

Our no win, no fee guarantee means there is zero financial risk in making an ice slip injury claim - even if you don't win your claim. Read more about making a No win, no fee claim

What do I pay if I win my ice slip injury claim?


What do I pay if I do not win my ice slip injury claim?


Is there a catch?


How can Quittance help?



Call us FREE 0800 612 7456 or arrange a callback:

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Ice slip injury FAQ's

Can I claim for someone else?




Read more about claiming on behalf of another person.

Can I claim if I was partly responsible for an accident?




How long do I have to make an ice slip injury claim?

In general, you have a time limit of up to 3 years from the date of the ice slip injury to make an injury claim.

The last date you can make a claim is known as the claim limitation date - after which your ice slip injury claim becomes 'statute barred'.

Can I claim for an ice slip injury after 3 years?




There other circumstances that can also impact the limitation date. Call us now on 0800 612 7456 to find out if you are still able to claim ice slip injury compensation.

In reality, there are a number of factors that can affect whether an ice slip injury claim will be taken on by a solicitor.

Calculate your claim limitation date

Will I have to go to court?





Will I have to go to a solicitor's office?



Read more: Will I have to visit a solicitor's office?

Can I get an early compensation payment?



Read more about interim compensation payments.

Howard Willis, Personal injury solicitor

Howard Willis, Personal injury solicitor