If you’ve been injured after slipping or falling, it can leave you feeling shaken, frustrated, and unsure about what to do next. You may keep asking yourself one important question: how do you prove a slip and fall case?
The good news is that proving a claim is often possible if you take the right steps and collect the right evidence.
This guide explains everything in plain, easy-to-understand British English. It is designed for people who have been injured and want clear answers, not legal jargon. By the end, you will understand what evidence matters, how negligence is proven, and how you can strengthen your chances of success.
What Is a Slip and Fall Claim?
A slip and fall claim is a type of personal injury claim. You may be able to make one if you were injured because someone else failed to keep a place reasonably safe.
This “someone else” could be:
- An employer
- A business owner
- A landlord
- A local council or authority
If they owed you a duty of care and failed to meet it, and that failure caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.
What Do You Need to Prove a Slip and Fall Case?
To succeed with a slip and fall claim in the UK, you generally need to prove three things:
- A duty of care was owed to you
- That duty was breached
- The breach caused your injury
Your evidence must clearly link these points together. Simply falling is not enough — the fall must have happened because of negligence.
Start by Proving There Was a Hazard
The first step is showing that something dangerous caused your fall.
Common Slip and Fall Hazards
- Wet or recently mopped floors with no warning sign
- Loose wires or trailing cables
- Uneven or broken pavement
- Poor lighting on stairs or walkways
- Damaged flooring or loose tiles
What You Should Do Immediately
If you are able to do so safely:
- Take photos and videos of the hazard
- Capture the area from different angles
- Show the size or depth of the defect (for example, place a ruler next to uneven pavement)
This evidence is crucial. Hazards can be cleaned, repaired, or removed very quickly, and once that happens, proving your claim becomes much harder.
Report the Accident as Soon as Possible
If the accident happened at work, in a shop, or in a public place, you should report it.
Accident Book Records
Most workplaces and businesses keep an accident report book. You should ask for your fall to be formally recorded.
An accident book usually includes:
- Date and time of the incident
- Names of those involved
- How the accident happened
- Details of injuries
- Any supporting evidence
Ask for a copy of the report. This document can strongly support your version of events.
If your fall happened in a public place, such as on a pavement, you should report it to the local council where possible.
Gather Witness Details
If anyone saw you fall or noticed the hazard beforehand, their account can help your claim.
What You Should Collect
- Names
- Phone numbers
- Email addresses
Witness statements can confirm:
- The condition of the hazard
- How long it had been there
- That you did not cause the accident yourself
Independent witnesses are especially valuable because they support your case without personal interest.
Use CCTV and Other Footage
Camera evidence can be extremely powerful.
Where CCTV Might Be Found
- Shops and supermarkets
- Workplaces
- Car parks
- Offices and leisure centres
You should request CCTV footage as soon as possible, as recordings are often deleted after a short time. Footage can show:
- The hazard
- How long it was present
- The moment you fell
Even dashcam or body-cam footage may help, depending on where the accident occurred.
Seek Medical Attention Straight Away
Even if your injuries seem minor at first, you should always seek medical help.
Why This Matters
- Some injuries do not show symptoms immediately
- Early treatment protects your health
- Medical records create official proof of injury
Common issues after a fall include:
- Fractures
- Sprains and strains
- Head injuries
- Concussion
- Internal injuries
- Psychological distress
Seeing a medical professional links your injuries directly to the accident.
Keep Strong Medical Evidence
Medical evidence is one of the most important parts of proving a slip and fall case.
Useful Medical Evidence Includes
- GP or hospital records
- X-rays, scans, or test results
- Prescriptions
- Appointment letters
- Discharge summaries
- Independent medical reports
Make sure records are dated, as this helps show when and how your injuries occurred.
Photograph and Track Your Injuries
Your injuries will change over time. Recording this can strengthen your claim.
What You Should Do
- Take photos of bruising, cuts, swelling, or casts
- Take new photos as the injury heals
- Keep a written diary
In your diary, write about:
- Pain levels
- Difficulty sleeping
- Problems with work or daily tasks
- Emotional impact
This shows how the injury affected your life, not just your body.
Keep Proof of All Expenses
If your injury caused financial losses, keep clear records.
Examples Include
- Medical expenses
- Travel costs to appointments
- Prescription charges
- Lost earnings
- Care or assistance costs
These records help calculate compensation accurately.
Show That Someone Else Was at Fault
This is where negligence must be proven.
Duty of Care
In many situations, a duty of care is automatic:
- Employers must keep workplaces safe
- Businesses must protect customers
- Councils must maintain public spaces
Breach of Duty
A breach may occur if the responsible party:
- Failed to fix a known hazard
- Did not carry out inspections
- Ignored complaints or reports
- Failed to display warning signs
Causation
You must then show that this failure directly caused your fall and injuries.
This is why connecting hazard evidence, witness accounts, and medical proof is so important.
Examples of How Liability Is Established
- A council ignored reports of broken pavement and you tripped at night
- An employer failed to secure loose cables and you fell at work
- A shop cleaned a spill but did not place warning signs
- A staircase was poorly lit and uneven
If evidence shows the risk should have been addressed, liability may be established.
How Legal Advice Can Help You
A solicitor can:
- Identify what evidence is missing
- Help request CCTV or maintenance records
- Arrange an independent medical assessment
- Build a clear timeline of events
- Deal with insurers or councils
Many claims are handled on a No Win No Fee basis, which means there is usually no upfront cost.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
To protect your claim, avoid:
- Delaying medical treatment
- Failing to report the accident
- Relying only on memory
- Taking no photos of the hazard
- Throwing away receipts or records
Acting early and staying organised can make a major difference.
Final Thoughts
If you are asking yourself “how do you prove a slip and fall case?”, the answer is preparation, evidence, and clarity.
You prove your case by:
- Recording what caused your fall
- Showing someone else was responsible
- Proving your injuries with medical evidence
- Demonstrating how the accident affected your life
Slip and fall accidents can have serious physical, emotional, and financial consequences. You deserve clear information and fair treatment. By following the steps in this guide, you put yourself in the strongest possible position to prove your claim and move forward with confidence.