How To Sue A Pub Or Bar

Venues that are open to the public have a responsibility to make sure their premises are safe for use by customers; this is their duty of care. An injury caused by unsafe conditions can be grounds for a claim for compensation.

How to sue a pub

How to sue a pub claims guide

If a breach of duty of care caused you to sustain harm and you want to sue a pub for the injuries you suffered, then this guide will show you how you can do so. We will also inform you of steps you can take to strengthen your claim. 

You have the option to talk directly to one of our advisers. They can offer free legal advice over an initial consultation and answer questions you might have about making a claim. To take advantage of this, you can reach out to them using: 

  • The number at the top of the page    
  • Our contact page    
  • The live chat feature

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How To Sue A Pub For Personal Injury 

Pub owners have a responsibility to make sure their premises are safe, and they need to take all reasonably practicable steps to ensure your safety. This is outlined in health and safety laws such as the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957.

This states that the person in control of the premises owes a duty of care to any person who visits their establishment. They have to actively look for risks and take actions to try and remove or reduce any risk of harm.

If a hazard (for example, a large step or low ceiling) cannot be removed or reduced, it should be signposted so that members of the public are aware of the risks. Those in control of public spaces should also consider that children are likely to be less cautious in relation to their safety than adults. 

If they breach this duty, and a person is injured as a result, the injured person could be eligible to sue the pub or bar owner for compensation. If you were injured because of a breach of duty of care in a pub or bar, talk to one of our advisers to see if you could be owed compensation. 

How To Sue A Pub For Slips Or Trips 

According to the Health & Safety Executive (HSE), slips and trips are the most reported cause of injury to members of the public. Drinks being carried across the floor could result in spills that pose a risk of slips or trips occurring in a pub.

A pub owner could be found liable for failing to take action to prevent injuries from occurring. This could be because of: 

  • Failure to clean up the area: For example, if a spill on the floor was left for an unreasonable length of time without being cleaned, this could be considered a breach of duty of care.  
  • Unsuitable cleaning equipment: Any cleaning equipment that is used should be suitable. For example, some cleaning equipment may make the floor too slippery, which could increase the risk of someone being injured.
  • Poor housekeeping. Those in control of a pub or bar should ensure that good housekeeping is maintained and that stock is tidied up. Failure to do so could result in an injury like a broken rib from a slip. 

If you’ve been harmed as the result of a slip or trip because a pub owner failed to take these types of actions to protect you, reach out to one of our advisers now to discuss making a claim. 

Examples Of Accidents In A Bar 

Slips, trips and falls aren’t the only kinds of accidents you could be injured as a result of negligence in a pub or bar. Other accidents that could cause you injury in this setting include: 

  • Broken furniture: The furniture provided should be safe to use. Uneven or broken furniture can lead to injuries like a fracture if you were to fall. 
  • Falling objects: Sometimes, pubs and bars hang televisions from the ceiling so that sports events can be shown. If these are not correctly secured then one could fall on your head, causing a broken cheekbone or concussion.
  • Lack of maintenance: Performing regular maintenance on buildings can help avoid accidents from breakdowns or disrepair. A flooded toilet, for example, could lead to an injury, like a broken hip from a slip. 

It’s a pub owner’s responsibility to look for these types of risks and take action to prevent them from causing injury. Contact one of our advisers now to see if you could sue a pub for the injuries you sustained. If you are instead looking on how to claim for an injury sustained in a nightclub, then click here.

Evidence: 

You can strengthen your claim with evidence of the circumstances of the accident. This could come in the form of: 

  • Witnesses: If someone witnessed your accident, or the cause of your accident, collect their contact details as they could be able to provide testimonies for your claim. 
  • CCTV: If your accident was captured on the pub’s CCTV, you can request the footage to use as evidence. 
  • Medical records: Medical records showing the treatment you received, or appointments you attended, can act as proof of the injury. 

A personal injury solicitor can offer you information on specific evidence to collect in your claim. They can offer guidance based on their experiences handling these claims and can help in every aspect of the process. Reach out to one of our advisers now to discuss your claim. 

How Much Compensation Could I Get In A Claim Against A Bar? 

The amount of compensation you could be awarded will be influenced by the type of injury you have suffered and what effect it has had on your life. 

General damages is the amount of compensation you would seek for the injury you sustained and any pain and suffering it has caused. You can compare the injuries you suffered against the injuries and compensation brackets listed in the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This is a publication used by solicitors and insurance firms to value potential compensation awards.

We’ve included a table containing some figures from the JCG below: 

Injury Award
Digestive System: Illness from Non-Traumatic Injury£8,950 to £18,020
Moderate Neck Injury: (iii)£7,410 to £12,900
Minor Neck Injury: (iii)Up to £2,300
Moderate Back Injury: (i)£26,050 to £36,390
Moderate Back Injury: (ii)£11,730 to £26,050
Minor Back Injury: (iii)Up to £2,300
Moderate Knee Injury: (i)£13,920 to £24,580
Moderate Ankle Injury£12,900 to £24,950
Minor Achilles Tendon Injury£6,820 to £11,820
Moderate Toe InjuryUp to £9,010
 

Special damages is the amount of compensation you could receive to address the financial losses you had suffered directly because of the injury 

For example, you could be compensated for:

  • Loss of financial income 
  • Costs towards treatment or care 
  • Adaptation costs, if you have had to make changes to your vehicle or home

It is important to maintain and document records of how the injury is affecting you. You might be required to submit them as part of your evidence. Furthermore, you might be asked to attend an independent medical assessment as part of the process of claiming.

For more information about potential compensation for injuries suffered in a bar, why not get in touch with one of our advisers? If you have a valid case, they could connect you with a lawyer from our panel.

Can I Start A No Win No Fee Agreement Right Away? 

If you work with a solicitor from our panel, they might represent you on a No Win No Fee basis. Under the agreement (also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement) they would agree not to charge you any fee unless your claim is successful and you’re awarded compensation.

You would not be asked to pay them an upfront fee for their services, nor would you be expected to pay any ongoing fees. If your claim was unsuccessful, you would not have to pay them for their services at all.

If you’re awarded compensation, you would pay them a success fee. This is a legally capped percentage of the compensation you are awarded, and this fee will be agreed upon before your claim starts. 

Our solicitors can offer on No Win No Fee agreements and could help you sue a pub for the injuries you suffered as a result of negligence. Reach out to one of our advisers now to see if you could make a claim with us. 

Speak To Us About How To Sue A Pub 

Our advisers are available and can offer legal advice over free initial consultations. They can discuss your claim with you in-depth, give you clarity on any questions you might have and explain more about the personal injury claims process.

You can reach them now using: 

  • The number at the top of the page    
  • Our contact page    
  • The Live Chat feature 

Learn More About How To Sue A Pub 

For additional information you might need: 

Thank you for reading our guide on how to sue a pub. We offer guides on other topics such as: 

How To Sue Your Employer

How To Sue For A Data Breach

Suing A Hospital For Compensation

Article by Cha

Edited by Sto