Can I claim injury compensation for slipping on ice or snow?

148 questions have been answered on this subject - ask us your question

In winter we get many calls from clients who want to know if they can claim for slipping ice, commonly at work or while shopping. While they may have sustained nasty injuries – usually fractures to wrists and arms, or hip and pelvis injuries, does that mean they have a valid claim? This depends on the duty of care of the people or authority responsible for the area in which they fell.

It is often possible to claim personal injury compensation after a fall that wasn’t your fault and we have previously covered whether or not you may have a valid slip and trip accident claim for this. However, there is a big difference between suffering an injury as a result of negligent health and safety practices and being injured after falling due to ice or snow.

Adverse weather conditions are out of our control and present less of a foreseeable risk, hence it is harder to prove someone else is at fault for an accident. That being said, in certain circumstances there is a duty of care when it comes to ice and snow. and in some cases you may be eligible to claim.

Table of contents

When you can claim for slipping on ice at work

Employers are duty bound to provide a safe working environment and follow health and safety practices to prevent accidents at work. While icy weather can’t be prevented, employers do have responsibility to reduce the risk to workers from slipping on ice. If it can be proven they should have done more to stop such accidents happening, and you injure yourself as a result, we can help you to make a claim for a fall at work.

So what is your employer’s duty of care to prevent slips on ice at work? In the same way risk assessments are required to prevent other accidents, they should also be carried out for areas that are likely to become slippery during snowy or icy weather. This means assessing and preparing for such weather conditions, making changes to reduce risk and ensuring staff are aware of any dangers.

In some instances this may mean providing safety equipment to employees who have to work in icy conditions, but on the whole your workplace should reduce the risk of slips and falls on ice by:

  • Identifying and assessing the most used routes by staff
  • Clearing snow, gritting or salting ice in these areas within a reasonable timeframe
  • Warning staff where there is a danger of slipping on ice
  • Providing alternative, safer routes if possible
  • Allowing staff extra time to travel to and from work in extremely cold weather

If your employer hasn’t taken any action to avoid accidents in an icy workplace and neglected their legal duty of care, they can be held responsible for any injuries. If you’ve been injured after a slip and fall on ice at work and you think your employer has failed to protect your safety (with inadequate PPE, for example, or proper training for work in icy conditions) you may well be able to claim personal injury compensation. Make sure you understand your rights following a work injury, particularly if you’re still working and worried about your health.

When you can claim for slipping on ice in public

As with places of work, if you slip on ice in a public place you might be able to claim if it can be shown there was a likely risk of injury that could and should have been avoided. Such places are responsible for visitors’ safety under the Occupier’s Liability Act 1957.

For example, car parks and entrances to schools and hospitals should be cleared of snow and icy patches salted or gritted – or signage situated to warn of the hazards. Steps and platforms at bus and train stations are also subject to higher duties of care. The Health & Safety Executive outlines what should be done to protect the public from ice, frost and snow on its website.

Where there’s a risk of injury due to slipping on ice at the entrance to a shop, or supermarket, for example, the management has a responsibility to clear the ice in a reasonable time, erect a hazard sign to warn customers of a possible danger and ensure that the area is treated to prevent ice developing. If the business can be shown to have failed to take these steps, they could be held liable for injuries sustained should a customer slip and fall.

If you fall in any of these places because you slipped on ice, ensure that your accident is recorded in the accident book and seek medical attention. It is likely that we will be able to take such a claim forward for you.

Another scenario in which you could pursue a claim, albeit a more difficult task, is if you were injured in a road traffic accident on a major road and it could be proven that a local authority had failed to treat the highway in question when they should have done.

When you’re unlikely to win a claim for an accident due to ice

The same rules do not necessarily apply to all locations. For example, if you were to slip on ice in the car park of a supermarket, it is unlikely that you could hold them liable for your injuries. Whilst they would have a responsibility to ensure that the entrance area, trolley storage area and shop floor were free from hazards, it is doubtful that a court would agree they should have ensured the car park was also free from ice and fully gritted or salted.

The same applies to accidents on pavements. Local authorities have a responsibility to grit the roads and they do so in order of importance, with major routes like motorways and A-roads being prioritised over lesser roads. Pavements are generally left untreated as it isn’t really feasible to expect the local authority to have the manpower or equipment to treat all roads and pavements in winter weather.

Typically, should someone slip and fall on an icy footpath, it is highly unlikely that they would be able to prove sufficient liability against the local authority highways department responsible for the path. So in a nutshell, if you are walking on icy paths, take care – you are unlikely to be able to claim compensation for any injuries sustained.

How to prove your claim is valid

To prove a claim for slipping on ice you will usually need evidence and/or witnesses to back it up. Without evidence your slip happened, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to claim, so you’ll need to report the details of your accident to the right people.

Ideally, the accident should be recorded with the people responsible for the area in which it happened. Your employer and any location open to the public should have an accident book and a way of recording incidents. This provides evidence your injuries occurred on their patch.

In the case of a slip on an icy footpath, the matter should be reported to the Highways Department of the local authority.

If you fall in a shop or restaurant, it should be recorded in an accident book within the premises. If you can’t do that, take photos or send a letter reporting the incident to the management.

Medical evidence will also be used to value your injury claim, so it’s important to seek professional medical treatment for your injuries at the earliest opportunity.

If all this seems a bit complicated, or you haven’t done any of the above, don’t worry – if you  we can talk you through it and help you to complete the necessary steps.

Compensation amounts for injuries caused by slips on ice

How much compensation you can claim is calculated from the severity of the injury, your financial losses and the impact on your quality of life. For example, a wrist injury that has resulted in permanent pain and stiffness could amount to between £10,000 and £20,000. On top of that, a claim would include an amount that takes into consideration:

  • The pain and distress caused to you by the injuries sustained
  • Associated costs and losses
  • Lost earnings if you have been away from work as a result of the accident
  • Medical treatments, rehabilitation therapies and post accident care
  • Restrictions on your ability to fulfil your usual activities and social life
  • Miscellaneous expenses (bus fares, painkillers etc)

There are guidelines issued by the courts for solicitors, but it’s impossible to say exactly how much you can expect as all cases vary. The figures below are for the injury only, and exclude the extra considerations above, so the final settlement may be much higher.

Type of injuryCompensation amount
Neck injury£2,000 - £140,000
Minor brain or head injury£2,070 - £11,980
Finger injury£4,000 - £85,000
Wrist injury£3,310 - £44,690
Hip or pelvis injury£3,710 - £24,950
Fractured forearm£6,190 - £18,020
Permanent back injury£11,730 - £26,050
Serious shoulder injury£11,980 - £18,020
Ankle injury£12,900 - £46,980

Make a no win no fee claim

With a No Win No Fee agreement a claimant will pay nothing if their claim is unsuccessful, so you have nothing to lose and much to gain if you can make a successful claim. Only if you win compensation do you pay your solicitor’s success fee, which is usually around 25% of the total received.

If you are unsure whether or not you can claim personal injury compensation as a result of slipping on ice, the best thing to do is ask us. We’ll let you know whether or not we think you have a viable claim and if so, help you to win a settlement for your injuries, expenses and lost earnings.

You can call us on 01225 430285 or , and one of our expert team will be in touch. We’ll only need a few minutes of your time to let you know if you can make a claim. With over 28 years’ experience, you can use our knowledge and expertise to get your claim off to the best start. There is no charge for assessing your case.

148 questions have been answered on this subject - ask us your question

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Comments & Questions

Read on for questions and advice about claiming, plus slip on ice claim examples...

I was riding to work and there was a pipe leak right across the pavement onto the road that looked like water.
Until I flipped off my bike smashed my head and now suffering with concussion & neck and back pain! It was iced over and would be a danger to anybody walking / riding along.

Ian Morris

To succeed with a cycling accident claim in this scenario, it will only be possible if it can be demonstrated that the water leak had been previously reported and complained about. If the leak had only been present for a short period of time, negligence will not attach and no claim will proceed.

Reply

I fell over twice in the road near the local school due to ice.
The water that turned to ice is from a leak which has alot of work done to it in the past and still leaks.
If this problem had been sorted then no accident would have occured. Can i put a claim in for cuts and bumps and bruises??

Ian Morris

In most cases, it is extremely hard to succeed with a claim for compensation for injuries sustained when slipping on ice. However, in your case there is a possibility that the ongoing leak/lack of adequate repair could lead to a successful claim.

You mention having cuts, bumps and bruises and wishing to claim as a result of those injuries. Have you had medical treatment? Also, are you able to obtain any witness statements from other local people who can confirm that the leak you mention has been reported previously and that inadequate repairs have been made?

Kayliegh

I have been for medical treatment today and have fracture clinic tomorrow.
I know of people and the local school who have complained about the water and the leak has been ongoing for 3+ years and still nothjng has been done.

Ian Morris

Given the ongoing nature of the leak and the fact that it has been reported repeatedly, there is a prospect of succeeding with a claim. If you can secure a couple of people (ideally from the school) who would be willing to provide statements confirming that they had reported the leak and that it was a constant issue, it would provide some good evidence to support your claim.

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Yesterday I fell off of my cycle on ice. I have a broken pelvis and am awaiting surgery in hospital. A group of soldiers stopped to help & one of them fell on the ice. A local man came out of his house and said the ice was caused by flooding which was caused by a blocked culvert that has been reported to the council weeks ago.

Ian Morris

If witness evidence to confirm that the culvert was blocked and had been reported weeks previously can be obtained, there is a prospect of succeeding with a claim against the local authority or utility company responsible. If you can obtain such evidence, please let us know and we will look in to pursuing this matter further for you.

If you can’t obtain the witness information, contact us anyway. Your injuries are serious and we would like to see if we can help you make a claim for compensation.

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I have broken my hip falling on black ice on an untreated walkway within my scheme owned by the GHA. I was 5-10 metres from my buildings entrance.

Ian Morris

Whether or not the owners of the housing scheme are responsible for gritting the pathways in the area is unclear, probably unlikely. Do you know if they have a gritting policy in place?

Reply

Does putting down rock salt over ice count as taking responsibility for ice within a builders yard? Or does some for of signage need to be erected?
We have been warned that if someone falls as a result of us putting rock salt down that we then become liable.

Ian Morris

It is always wise to provide clear sign posted warnings if you are aware of a risk of injury or a hazard to health. Placing rock salt down is a wise move but it should be accompanied by adequate clear signage.

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I’m a taxi driver in Glasgow and I slipped and fell and broke my wrist in two on an untreated road on black ice in Glasgow when I tried to warn my elderly passenger, who was just coming out of her house, about how bad the ice was. I was then off work for two months and after 3wks of being in a plaster cast the hospital said that I needed an operation and they had to break my arm again and reset it and I’ve now got a metal plate and pins holding my wrist together and I lost thousands of pounds loss of earnings as December is our busiest month. I nearly lost my flat as I hadn’t the money to pay my rent and bills after the first month, all my money was going out and none was coming in. I had to get a loan of my brother to help me cover my bills or I would’ve been left homeless too, can you help me to get the compensation I think I deserve and being left with a horrific scar and a metal plate please?

Ian Morris

Despite your obvious loss financially and the terrible pain you will have endured, I am afraid your case is not something that our Solicitors would be able to help with. Claims after a slip on black ice on pavements are notoriously troublesome and it is extremely difficult to establish liability against the local authority as it is a public liability claim. Previously the courts have ruled that local authority councils can’t be expected to grit all their pavements and roads when the weather is cold and icy.

Reply

I am provided with accomodation rent free at my place of work. I fell on the ice outside the door on my way into work and broke my wrist badly. It had to be operated upon and I have been unable to work for the last two months as I am a chef. Can you please advise if I can claim compensation from my employers who own the property?

Ian Morris

Yes, you would have a right to claim compensation. Whether or not you could succeed with a claim would depend on what defence your employers insurers raise to any claim you make.

Reply

Hello I was working for a courier company last year during the bad snow, I was told I still had to make my deliveries regardless of the weather – this was during the rare occasion the police advised no one to drive. Anyway, in between deliveries I got stuck in snow and a farmer had to help tow me out, after removing the rope I slipped on the snow and fell fracturing my wrist, this led to me being off work for 9 weeks on statuary sick pay and lead to financial difficulties. I don’t know if I am eligible for a claim or not but it does seem unfair.

Ian Morris

You describe a situation in which your employer has acted foolishly and potentially lead to you sustaining injury. However, whether or not you would have a valid claim for compensation against them is a moot point.

My honest answer at this stage is that I do not know whether or not you would be able to hold the employer liable in this accident and for your subsequent losses. However, we could put this enquiry before our specialist Solicitors in order that they could consider whether or not your employers actions constitute a breach of health and safety regulations.

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my apartment complex did not place De-icer on our common paths that were to and from our cars, they started to after my injury was reported to them, I slipped on black ice, hitting my head, injuring my neck, my husband witnessed, I have medical expenses and time loss for work, do I have any recourse?

Ian Morris

There is a possible opportunity to make a claim. However, UK law is unspecific with regards to claiming compensation in cases of slipping on ice or snow.

Reply

I fell at work on ice and I am considering leaving now as my work is to strenuous and our hours have been cut. Two weeks ago I made a claim. Does this still stand if I left the company?

Ian Morris

The law regarding personal injury compensation claims after an accident at work entitles any person to make a claim against their employer if they believe that their injuries were caused through negligence – whether by the employer or a colleague. It does not matter if you are still working for the employer or if you have left as that will have no bearing on the outcome of your claim.

What will be important is having the right evidence to support your Solicitor in being able to attach liability to your claim and allowing you to succeed. As such it is vital that you make sure that your accident has been properly recorded with the previous employer. Ideally, an accident book entry was filled in at the time of the accident. If not, it would be a very good idea to make a written report to your former employer and send the same via email or recorded delivery.

Reply

In February 2018 i slipped in a supermarket carpark on ice and broke my ankle. when a member of staff came out to check if I was okay after laying in the snow for quite some time and fetched me a wheelchair. The first words that came out of her mouth was it’s not our carpark. Is there a chance to claim compensation?

Ian Morris

Claiming compensation after slipping on ice or snow is possible, but it is not always easy or straight forward. Of course, ice and snow are weather events that are beyond any persons control and ice and snow present an inherent risk of slipping. Whether or not you can make a claim for compensation will depend on whether or not the owners of the car park have a duty of care to grit the surface and reduce the risk of slipping.

When it comes to applying grit or salt to public highways and paths, the local authorities work on a restricted budget so would not be expected to apply such products to all areas. The courts would expect the highways authorities to treat roads in order of importance, starting with motorways, major A Roads and busy highways. They would then be expected to work on local roads and bus routes. With regards to the car park, if it is a local authority car park it is probably unlikely that they would have a duty of care to apply grit as a priority.

Do you know who is responsible for the car park in question?

Reply

I am a support worker that works in various areas for the local council. It was very icy that day, and the service users house had a long steep drive, I therefore held onto the rail until I got to the very bottom where the drive meets the pavement. Suddenly I slipped and was in agony. The lady living opposite saw me fall and phoned for an ambulance.
After laying on the floor for 2 1/4 hours covered in blankets, the ambulance finally came and took me to hospital.
After an x-ray it was found my ankle was broken in 3 places and after 2 operations my ankle is now held together with plates and screws.
Estimated time that I will spend off work is 4 – 6 months, can I claim ?

Ian Morris

The situation you describe is an unusual one in that you were injured whilst at work, but not on employer premises or in an area that the employer has any direct control over. As such, my honest answer at this stage is that I am not sure as to whether or not you can make a claim for compensation. Given the severity of your injuries, I think it is worthwhile presenting a claim enquiry to our specialist Solicitors so that they can consider this for you and offer detailed advice to you. We deal with quite a few support worker claims.

Given that the weather was cold and icy, it would be foreseeable that the area could be icy and slippery. Neither the local authority or your employer would have a duty of care to grit residential areas, so it would not be possible to claim compensation on that basis. However, there could be a possible claim against the employer if it can be shown that they have not adequately assessed the risk to health by sending you to this property in the weather conditions as they were. Perhaps the employer should have issued you with a warning or required certain footwear etc and it is with that in mind, that I believe it would be worthwhile submitting a claim for you.

Reply

Last week I slipped and fell at my workplace on an untreated car park. The surface was snow covered with underlying ice forming the hazard.
My employers are UK government tenants, renting office/car park facilities via a landlord who engage 3rd party managing agents.
These agents who are contracted to grit.

Despite assurances gritting would take place overnight before it snowed and freeze it did not in fact occur. Records also prove that no gritting actually took place as promised and initially claimed, so I believe there is negligence via a contractual failure.

My injuries are limited to aggravation of an old fracture (metal plated wrist) and some minor discomfort. My view is the false claim of services rendered and not actually delivered equates to a liability. Can you concur my thinking please?

Ian Morris

On face value, their contractual obligation has been failed and it can be therefore argued that they are liable for the fall you had and any associated injuries or losses that you have incurred as a result.

Given the scenario you describe, we would be happy to present a claim on your behalf to our specialist Solicitors. We work on a fully no win no fee basis and you can start your claim by visiting our website and using the ‘start a claim’ page to make further contact with us.

Reply

Three days ago I slipped on an icy patch in the car park of a fitness club where I am a member. It was witnessed by a member of staff who was putting down sand on another part of the car park. I fell backwards and hit my bottom, back and head. I haven’t broken anything but am in some pain and very bruised. Are there grounds to claim against their insurance?

Ian Morris

There is certainly potential to pursue a claim for compensation. The fact that an employee from the gym was working to reduce the risk of slipping by placing sand on the ice indicates that the business knew that there was a risk to health and a possibility of injury.

If you would like to begin your claim, please use the ‘start a claim’ option on our website and we’ll contact you.

Reply

My workplace had washed the vans the night before which caused the water to became ice the following day. Due to this I unfortunately had a fall where we normally load our vans for our deliveries. I hit the back of my head and now have pain in my back. There are no cameras in the area and my employer has offered i can come back in tomorrow with the help of a colleague to help with the lifting and doing mainly driving.

Ian Morris

If your employer has created a hazard – such as making a floor wet and then icy, one would expect that the minimum they should do is erect hazard warning signs and in this case, grit the iced area. If they have failed to do that, you may have a valid claim for compensation.

Please use the ‘start a claim’ page of our website to take this further.

Reply

Who’s responsible in the event of an accident due to the result of a burst water-main?

A friend of mine slipped this morning after water from a burst water main had iced over and has now gone to hospital.

I took photos of the site shortly after just as workers from the local water supplier had started repair.

The leak was on a public pavement outside a commercial property.

Ian Morris

The water board have responsibility for the management and maintenance of the water infrastructure and could be responsible in this matter. However, the realistic prospects of succeeding with a claim in this instance could be very low – especially if the pipe had only been leaking for a short while. Whilst there is not doubt that the leaking pipe created water, which then iced up and became hazardous, the courts are likely to find that the waterboard could not prevent this hazard due to the weather issues.

Reply

I recently slipped on an patch of ice in a pub car park. I fell badly and hurt my leg but fortunately did not break any bones. I was in severe pain for a week. I am now slowly recovering and my leg is getting better with but still have some pain. I am hoping that there is no permanent damage. I have a witness to my accident. Could I claim? Thank you.

Ian Morris

We would be happy to present a claim enquiry for the scenario you describe to our specialist Solicitors.

Reply

I crashed my car whilst on way to work on November 2nd. I have done some investigating the council said according to their records they gritted 1st November yet I came off they road as the road is full of pot holes and I swear hit ice has by the pictures on news and google maps can see the bend is not sharp but as I turned the wheels nothing happened! Is it going be hard beat the council as I suffered severe injuries. Still off work.

Ian Morris

Sadly proving liability against the local authority in this matter will be extremely difficult and with regards to a No Win No Fee claim, it is very unlikely that a claim for the situation you describe would be pursued. If the road was icy, it would not necessarily follow that you could then hold the local authority liable if you then lost control of your vehicle and crashed due to the ice.

Reply

I fell on the ice a week ago at my daughters school just inside the gates, there was no grit or signs and i injured my left knee. Went to a&e last Thursday just gone and told it was fractured although the Dr said he can’t be sure so to treat it as fractured, been told to rest as much as possible not use it etc but feel if I was to make a claim I want get very far as no confirmed injury, what shall I do now?

Ian Morris

After seeing medical attention, the first thing you should do after an accident is to make sure that the details of the accident are reported to the relevant authority. In this case, you should advise the school office and ask that they record the details of the accident. Importantly, you should make mention of the lack of any grit and warning signs.

We would be happy to help you further and look in to the prospects of your claim on a No Win No Fee basis if you would like to do so.

Reply

I recently slipped in my works car park. It was like an ice rink, it had not been gritted. I had high heels on at the time. I had to go to hospital and my elbow is broken as well as the bone in my forearm. Can I claim compensation?

Ian Morris

As you can appreciate, claiming compensation for injuries sustained when slipping on ice can be difficult. As anyone will appreciate, when it is cold and ice develops, surfaces can become slippery and it is not always possible to avoid the risk of slipping in such conditions. It is also not always practical to expect an employer or any other organisation to remove the risk of slipping on ice.

However, with regards to an employers car park there could be a possible claim to be made after you slipped on ice. We would be happy to investigate this for you if you would like to get in touch further.

Reply
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