Slipping on leaked liquid from a faulty Portaloo may sound unusual. However, for our client, it resulted in a broken ankle, months of recovery, and significant disruption to daily life. Ultimately, poor maintenance and a failure to manage risks led to a successful occupiers’ liability claim.
What Happened at the Event?
Our client attended a music festival and used a standard Portaloo provided on site. Unfortunately, as they exited the unit, they slipped on liquid and fell, fracturing their ankle.
Following a detailed investigation, the cause became clear:
- A fault in the Portaloo’s waste system caused a leak
- Liquid pooled on the floor and exit area
- No warning signs or preventative measures were in place
As a result, what appeared to be a minor oversight became a serious public safety breach.
Why This Was a Valid Occupiers’ Liability Claim
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, anyone responsible for premises must take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe. In this case, the claim succeeded for several key reasons.
1. Unsafe Conditions Were Present
The Portaloo had a known defect that created a clear slip hazard. Despite this, the responsible parties failed to repair the fault or warn users of the danger.
2. The Injury Had a Serious Impact
The accident caused significant physical and emotional harm, including:
- A broken ankle
- Medical treatment and ongoing rehabilitation
- Time off work and loss of income
- Pain, discomfort, and psychological distress
3. Negligence Was Proven
The event organisers and facilities provider failed to meet their duty of care. Therefore, our legal team gathered strong evidence, including:
- Incident reports
- Maintenance and inspection records
- Witness statements
Together, this evidence clearly demonstrated negligence.
4. The Claim Was Made on Time
Importantly, the client brought the claim within the three-year time limit required under UK personal injury law.
Choosing the Right Solicitor for Public Place Injury Claims
Accidents in public spaces can be legally complex. For that reason, it is vital to choose a solicitor who understands occupiers’ liability law and knows how to prove fault.
When selecting a solicitor, look for someone who:
- Specialises in occupiers’ liability and public accident claims
- Offers a No Win No Fee service
- Has experience handling non-obvious negligence cases
Why Choose NJS Law?
We gather the evidence, value your claim and negotiate with the insurer.
No Win No Fee: The law limits our success fee to 25% of the compensation for pain, suffering and loss of amenity and for past financial losses, after any state benefits are repaid. Compensation for future losses is not counted. If you win, our success fee is deducted from your compensation. It is a percentage of our basic charges, and the law limits it as set out above. Any After the Event insurance premium is payable only if you win, and is never charged upfront. Your letter of engagement sets out exactly what you will pay for your type of claim, and we explain it before you sign. If you lose, you pay us nothing. This applies as long as you keep to your responsibilities under the agreement. You may have to pay costs if you end your claim early, fail to beat an offer the other side made, or a court finds your claim dishonest or exaggerated; where we have arranged After the Event insurance, it covers some of these costs if you keep to the policy's terms. See exactly what you pay.
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- No Win No Fee – you pay nothing unless we succeed
- Friendly legal teams who listen and act quickly
FAQs About Injuries in Public Places
Can I claim compensation if I was injured on someone else’s property?
Yes. If the property owner or operator failed to keep the area safe and you were injured as a result, you may be entitled to compensation.
Is slipping in a Portaloo really a valid claim?
Yes. In this case, a maintenance fault caused the injury. Therefore, the accident resulted from negligence, not bad luck.
How much compensation could I receive?
Compensation depends on the severity of the injury and its impact. In this case, our client recovered £26,000.
Thinking about a claim? Read about Occupiers' Liability Claims and how No Win No Fee works, or send us your enquiry.