If you have suffered a personal injury in a library and it was caused by the library’s negligence, you might be wanting to know how to sue a library. In this guide, we answer that question and more. Not only will you learn how to sue a library for accidents including slips or trips, but you’ll also find out how much compensation your injury could get you.
A guide on how to sue a library
In addition to the above, we’ll also discuss the benefits of using No Win No Fee lawyers and cover whether you’re eligible to seek this type of agreement.
We offer consultations to help us understand your case and advise on how best to go forward. If an advisor thinks you are owed compensation, they could connect you to our panel of personal injury solicitors. You can get in touch by:
- Filling out a contact form
- Calling us on 0800 408 7827
- Using the live chat feature on your screen
Choose A Section
- How To Sue A Library For Personal Injury
- Examples Of Accidents In A Library
- How To Sue A Library For Slips Or Trips
- How Much Compensation Could I Get In A Claim Against A Library?
- Should I Get A No Win No Fee Lawyer?
- Learn More About How To Sue A Library
How To Sue A Library For Personal Injury
Libraries in the UK are often run by the community or the local council. No matter who is in charge, bodies that control an area accessible to the public have a responsibility towards those who visit their premises. Subsequently, third parties should put in place health and safety measures to ensure public safety is maintained. The Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 states that a public place must be as safe as reasonably possible.
If you think a third party in control of a library has breached their duty of care and you suffered as a result of this breach, you may have grounds to make a valid claim. You must be able to prove that this breach of care caused your personal injury.
With this in mind, it’s always worth seeking help from a legal professional. They can help you make a strong claim. Our panel of solicitors are trained on how to sue a library.
Examples Of Accidents In A Library
Have you been injured in a library accident that wasn’t your fault? If you can prove the negligence of the library caused you to suffer, you may be entitled to compensation. There could be several hazards that cause accidents in a library. We’ve featured some examples below.
Slips, trips or falls
Library staff should carry out regular risk assessments to remove any potential hazards. For example, since many libraries are in old buildings, there could be torn carpeting that may cause you to trip and sustain a broken ankle.
Struck by falling objects
If a bookcase is faulty, a book could fall out and hit you on the head causing a concussion. Maintenance and checks should happen regularly in libraries to avoid this type of accident from occurring.
Exposure to dust
Poor maintenance of a ventilation system could risk allergies and breathing problems in libraries, particularly given the amount of dust that may pass in a library from old books and equipment.
If you feel you have been in a similar situation to those listed above, give us a call today. Fear not if you can’t see your accident type listed as our team is on hand to offer advice no matter what your situation is. Furthermore, they can offer expert guidance on how to sue a library.
How To Sue A Library For Slips Or Trips
A slip or trip accident could happen for a number of reasons in a library; however, it is crucial that you can prove the accident was the fault of the library’s negligence if you are to claim. For example, if a floor has been cleaned but is not appropriately signposted to warn you of the slippery surface, you could slip and sustain a broken foot or, in some cases, a broken hip. The library would be at fault here because they failed to warn you of the hazard.
Like with all accidents that occur in a library, you must provide evidence that a library occupier has breached their duty of care they owed to you. There are several ways to do this, including:
- Seeking medical attention: medical reports can provide key evidence of your injury
- Obtaining CCTV footage of your accident and where it happened
- Collecting contact details of witnesses who can provide statements
- Photographing your injuries and the scene of the accident
If you have any questions regarding evidence and how to sue a library for slips or trips, speak to one of our advisors.
How Much Compensation Could I Get In A Claim Against A Library?
If you claim against a library, you may claim for two types of damages. Firstly, general damages cover any physical or psychological injuries caused by your accident in the library. Secondly, special damages take into consideration any financial losses that have accrued as a result of your accident. For both damages, you must be able to provide evidence that the library’s negligence caused you to suffer harm.
When claiming for general damages, we can use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to estimate how much you might receive in compensation. Solicitors use the JCG to value injuries based on past settled court cases.
| Injury | Compensation Award Bracket |
|---|---|
| Severe (i) Back Injuries | £91,090 to £160,980 |
| Serious Shoulder Injuries | £12,770 to £19,200 |
| Moderate (i) Injuries to the Pelvis and Hips | £26,590 to £39,170 |
| Less Severe Injuries to the Elbow | £15,650 to £32,010 |
| Wrist Injuries | £47,620 to £59,860 |
| Severe Fractures to Fingers | Up to £36,740 |
| Severe (iii) Leg Injuries | £39,200 to £54,830 |
| Moderate (i) Knee Injuries | £14,840 to £26,190 |
| Modest Ankle Injuries | Up to £13,740 |
| Serious Foot Injuries | £24,990 to £39,200 |
It would be almost impossible to list all injuries that could occur from an accident in a library. For a more specific valuation of your injury and how much compensation you might receive, speak to our team of advisors today.
Should I Get A No Win No Fee Lawyer?
A No Win No Fee lawyer could be for you if you are put off claiming due to the cost of a lawyer’s services. Lawyers who work with this arrangement require no upfront fee payment. The agreement also covers ongoing lawyer fees. Another benefit of this agreement is that there are no lawyer fees to pay if your claim fails.
On the other hand, you’ll pay the lawyer a legally capped amount from your compensation if you are successful in your claim. However, with our panel, you’d be able to discuss the fee before you agree to using a lawyer’s services.
Our panel of lawyers work under No Win No Fee arrangements.
Speak To Us About How To Sue A Library
To see if you can begin your library accident claim today, speak to our team. Our advisors may connect you to our panel of solicitors if they think you have a valid claim. They can also provide further guidance on how to sue a library. Speak to us by:
- Calling 0800 408 7827
- Filling out the enquiry form at the top of this page
- Using our contact page to request a callback
- Using the live chat feature at the bottom of your screen
Learn More About How To Sue A Library
If you have found our guide on how to sue a library useful, the following resources may also come in handy.
111 online – Get immediate help for your symptoms.
Infocentre – Safety guidance from the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents.
Compensation – Guidance from the government on getting compensation after an injury.
Here are some more of our articles you may find helpful.
How To Sue For A Concussion – If you’ve suffered a concussion because of an accident that wasn’t your fault, visit this guide for more information.
How To sue Birmingham City Council – Find out how to make a claim if you were injured in a council-run establishment in Birmingham
How To Sue For A GPDR Data Breach – Not all accidents cause physical injuries and some, like an accidental data breach, may cause psychological harm. Here’s what to do if so.
How To Sue For A Criminal Injury – If you suffered an injury in a library as a result of a criminal’s actions, you could be able to sue.
If you are ready to take action, speak to our team for more information on how to sue a library.
Article by JEN
Edited by VIC