In busy hospitality settings, it doesn’t take much for an accident to happen – a spilled drink, a loose mat, a box left in the way. Slips, trips and falls are some of the most common workplace injuries in the industry.
If you’ve been injured at work because of a hazard that should have been dealt with, you could be entitled to compensation.
This guide will walk you through what a slip trip fall hospitality claim involves and how we can help you get the support you deserve. Get in touch to begin the process of getting justice.
Why slips and trips happen in bars, pubs and restaurants
Slips and trips might be common in hospitality workplaces, but with the right safety measures in place, they shouldn’t be. Most accidents and injuries in the workplace are down to unidentified and unhandled hazards that could and should have been prevented.
In hospitality, your employer has a duty of care to keep walkways clear, floors dry and staff safe. If they fail to honour this duty, even a minor fall can lead to sprained wrists, back injuries or lasting joint pain. And if that happens, it’s time to make a claim.
Employer duty of care in hospitality settings
Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must take steps to keep you safe at work. This applies to all hospitality settings, from hotel kitchens to pub cellars. Their duty of care includes:
- Cleaning up spills quickly and properly.
- Providing anti-slip mats or flooring in wet areas.
- Using clear signage to mark hazards.
- Keeping walkways free of clutter, bags or equipment.
- Ensuring corridors and stairwells are well-lit.
Many slip and trip claims are not about one-off mistakes, they’re about repeated failures to follow safety procedures. If your employer cut corners or ignored risks, you don’t have to accept that.
Common hazards: spills, clutter and uneven surfaces
Slips and trips often happen because of avoidable hazards in the workplace. In hospitality, common hazards include:
- Spillages — Spilled drinks, food or cooking oil not cleaned up.
- Wet surfaces — Recently mopped floors with no warning signs.
- Wear and tear — Loose tiles, torn carpets or uneven flooring.
- Debris — Bags, boxes or cleaning equipment left in walkways.
- Poor lighting — Darkness or low visibility in corridors, stairwells or service areas.
These aren’t minor issues, they’re safety failures that can lead to real injuries. If you experienced anything like this, you may have a restaurant floor hazard claim or something more relevant on your hands.
Gathering evidence: photos, witness statements and reports
Evidence plays a key role in supporting your claim. The more you have, the better chances of success in settlement. If you slipped, tripped or fell at work, here are some simple steps that can help build your case:
- Take photos of the hazard
- Get names of witnesses
- Report the accident in your workplace’s accident book
- Seek medical attention, even if your injury seems minor, and get a medical report as proof
If you didn’t manage to do all of this at the time, don’t worry. Injury Lawyers 4u can still help gather the evidence you need.
Calculating your compensation
The amount of compensation you could receive will depend on how serious your injury is and how it’s affected your life. This compensation is broken up into general damages and special damages:
- General damages — This covers the pain and suffering the slip, trip or fall caused you.
- Special damages — This covers the financial implications of your accident.
Special damages are unique to every case, so will vary wildly. General damages are typically standardised and listed by the Judicial College Guidelines, or you can use our compensation calculator to see yours quickly.
How Injury Lawyers 4u can help
At Injury Lawyers 4u, we specialise in workplace accident claims and hospitality injuries fall into that category. When you contact us, we’ll start with a free consultation to understand what happened and assess whether you have a claim.
From there, we’ll help you gather evidence, build your case and deal with insurers or employers on your behalf. You’ll get straightforward advice, no legal jargon and no upfront costs, just expert support from a team that knows this area inside out.
What’s more, our no-win, no-fee promise means you can make a claim without having to worry about your finances. Get in touch today and we’ll discuss how we can help you reclaim justice.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if I slipped on a spill that wasn’t cleaned?
If your employer failed to clean up a spill or didn’t put up a warning sign, it might class as negligent and you could have a valid claim on your hands.
What compensation can I expect for a pub trip?
Minor injuries can be worth a few thousand pounds, while more serious ones can result in higher compensation. The level of compensation you should expect depends on your injury.
Do I need photos of the hazard?
Photos help with claims but they’re not essential. Witnesses, accident reports and medical records can also support you.
What if I didn’t report the accident immediately?
You can still make a claim if you didn’t report the accident at the time. We’ll help you gather other evidence to make up for the missing report.
How long do slip and trip claims take?
Most slip and trip claims are settled within a few months but complex cases can take longer. We’ll keep you informed every step of the way.