When “Just an Accident” Isn’t Just an Accident

“I just slipped.” It sounds so simple. But you’re the one dealing with the pain, the time off work, and the mental load of wondering if it could have been avoided. Workplace slips and trips are the most common cause of workplace injuries, resulting in some of the most common injury types suffered by workers. Our guide to slip and trip accident claims explains how these incidents are handled and what your rights are.

These incidents frequently occur in various workplaces and falls in the workplace are a significant contributor to non-fatal injuries, highlighting the need for better prevention and awareness. According to the Health and Safety Executive guidance, simple, low‑cost measures often stop falls before they start.

At Carter & Carter, we hear it all the time. Clients who think they were just unlucky — only to discover their employer had overlooked something serious that put employees at risk. That’s why it’s worth speaking to someone early — for a free, no obligation discussion about your slip and trip at work claim, simply either call us now on 0800 652 0586, email us at [email protected], or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we’ll explain your options clearly. In this article, we break down the five most common (and preventable) ways employers fail to protect their staff from slips and trips — and what you can do if it’s happened to you.

Failure 1: Neglecting Floor Safety — When ‘Obvious’ Isn’t Obvious Enough

You’d be surprised how often slips happen on floors that look completely normal. It’s not just puddles. Oil is a common cause of slippery surfaces. Greasy kitchen tiles, dusty warehouse floors, a wet floor from spills or cleaning, or even a sudden change in surface texture can create a perfect storm for slipping. These are all examples of slip trip hazards that can lead to workplace injuries. The common causes of slips and trips include wet floors, oil, dust, and uneven surfaces. Slips occur when there is insufficient traction between your footwear and the floor, often due to these hazards. Not sure if it counts? Start here  Start here: tripping and slipping claims.

What employers should be doing:

• Keeping a documented cleaning schedule
• Responding immediately to spills
• Using appropriate signage and cordons
• Ensuring the walking surface is safe and recommending slip-resistant footwear where appropriate
• Preventing slips by implementing proper safety measures and regular training.

Improper cleaning activities can create hazards if not managed correctly, such as leaving wet floors or contamination behind.

What we know: Some employers skip these basics. And when they do, the risk lands on you. If you’ve slipped and were told it was “your shoes” — take photos. Your footwear and the floor surface can tell a different story.

Failure 2: Ignoring Damaged or Uneven Surfaces — Injuries Everyone Saw Coming

That wobbly tile. The frayed carpet edge. The worn step. An uneven surface like this is a hazard. Floors and stairs should be in good condition, properly maintained, and fitted correctly to prevent accidents. Stairways should also have risers consistent in height to reduce trip risks. Uneven surfaces can cause falls that result in various injuries, including neck injuries, back injuries, and muscle strains. You saw it. Others probably did too. So why wasn’t it fixed?

The legal reality: If your employer “knew or should have known” about a hazard, they have what’s called “constructive knowledge.” They’re still responsible. If something like this happened to you, we can help you understand whether you have a case — for a free, no obligation discussion about your trip hazard injury at work claim, just call us on 0800 652 0586, email [email protected], or complete a Free Online Enquiry and we’ll walk you through what matters.

Behind the scenes tip: Ask for maintenance reports. They often show how long a defect was known — and ignored.

Failure 3: Poor Lighting — The Hidden Hazard

If you can’t see a step, how can you avoid it?

Dim stairwells, broken outdoor lights, or glare from the wrong bulb can all turn a safe space into a danger zone — especially during dark winter shifts. Poor lighting can increase fall hazards on stairs and walkways, making it harder to spot obstacles and increasing the risk of slips, trips, and falls. In fact, inadequate lighting is a significant contributor to fall incidents in the workplace, which are closely monitored by organizations like OSHA due to their prevalence and impact. Stairs should also have usable handrails to help prevent accidents and support safe movement.

What matters:

• Lights should work, be in the right place, and be regularly checked.
• Employers must ensure all walking routes are safely visible.

Case insight: One client fell down outdoor steps with no working light. A simple bulb change could have saved them months of recovery.

Failure 4: Obstructed Walkways — More Than Just a Mess

Boxes in corridors. Cables across the floor. Tools left on stairs. These are classic tripping hazards, including trailing wires and equipment left in walkways. It may look like mess, but it’s actually a lawsuit waiting to happen. Cluttered or obstructed areas also increase the risk of falling objects, which can cause serious injuries. These are all potential dangers in the workplace that should not be overlooked.

What the law says: Employers must ensure floors and routes are kept clear and obstruction-free. That’s not just good housekeeping — it’s legal duty.

Real-world tip: If clutter is a recurring issue, document it. One-off mess might be forgiven. Ongoing hazards prove negligence.

Failure 5: Fudging Risk Assessments — A Paper Exercise with Real-World Consequences

A proper risk assessment is more than paperwork. It should be a lived process — not a downloaded form filled in once a year. Conducting regular risk assessments is crucial for systematically identifying and preventing workplace hazards. To ensure workplace safety, it is essential to identify and document all potential hazards as part of the assessment process.

What we see too often:

• Cut-and-paste assessments from unrelated premises
• No walk-through done at all
• Hazards never reviewed or updated
• Failure to carry out proper assessments to identify potential hazards.

Risk assessments are legally required under UK law, and employers must comply with work regulations such as the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999, which mandate proper and ongoing risk assessments.

Hazards must be identified and addressed to prevent slips and other workplace accidents.

Expert tactic: We request metadata on the file — when it was created, edited, and by whom. It often reveals more than what’s written on the page.

The Psychological Toll of Being Blamed

Here’s what we hear all too often:

• “Maybe I wasn’t paying attention.”
• “I should’ve seen it.”
• “It’s probably my fault.”

It isn’t. If your workplace was unsafe, the blame doesn’t belong on you. Yet many people delay getting help because they internalise guilt. Human factors, such as individual behavior and perception, can influence accident risk and how people respond after an incident.

Our message: You didn’t fail. Someone failed you. And we’ll stand with you to make that right.

What You Can Do Now (Without the Jargon)

Let’s break it down clearly:

• Write it down: Note the date, time, and what happened. Be sure to document the incident and any similar incidents that have occurred in the workplace. Employees should also report hazards promptly to help prevent future accidents.
• Photograph everything: The floor, the area, your footwear.
• Get checked: Even minor pain can mask a bigger issue – NHS advice on back pain offers helpful recovery tips.
• Call us: Not to pressure you into a claim, but to help you understand your rights.
• Seek training: Employees should ensure they are properly trained to recognize and avoid slip, trip, and fall hazards. Training is essential for preventing workplace accidents and ensuring everyone knows how to respond safely.
• Involve people: Engage all people involved in the workplace by encouraging them to participate in safety programs and report potential hazards. Involving employees in prevention efforts helps create a safer environment for everyone.

You’re not alone. And you don’t have to figure it out alone, either.

5 Myths About Slips, Trips and Claims — Busted

• “It was my fault — I wasn’t looking.” But why was the floor unsafe in the first place? Slips, trips, and falls are often caused by common hazards present in the workplace, such as wet floors, loose cables, or cluttered walkways.
• “It’s not serious enough to claim.” Even minor falls can lead to lasting issues — and financial loss. Slips, trips, and falls can cause non-fatal injuries, serious injuries such as fractures or head trauma, and, in rare cases, fatal injuries. Many of these injuries happen at the same level, not just from heights.
• “I didn’t report it immediately, so I can’t claim.” Delay doesn’t kill a claim — evidence still can prove what happened.
• “It was my shoes.” Footwear is one factor. Flooring and conditions matter more.
• “I don’t want to sue my boss.” You’re not suing a person — you’re asserting a legal right, often handled by insurers.

Building a Strong Case — The Quiet Moves That Matter

Insurer trick: They may request CCTV before you do. Footage often gets deleted within 2 weeks.

What to gather:

• Witness statements
• Emails about previous hazards
• Photos of the area before or after

Employers have a legal duty to protect workers and ensure they are protected from hazards in the work environment. This includes providing appropriate safety equipment to prevent injuries and maintaining a safe working environment. See how employer responsibility in slip claims is handled.

Reporting incidents under the Dangerous Occurrences Regulations is crucial, as it ensures that serious workplace incidents and potential hazards are officially recorded and investigated. Data from the Labour Force Survey highlights the frequency of workplace injuries, especially slips, trips, and falls, emphasising the need for thorough evidence collection.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), also referred to as the safety executive, is responsible for enforcing workplace safety laws, investigating reported incidents, and ensuring employers comply with health and safety regulations. A well-managed working environment is essential for health and safety compliance and injury prevention.

Our role: We handle the heavy lifting — using timestamped footage, official regs, and real evidence to show what went wrong and why.

Closing Message: You’re Someone We’ll Fight For

You’re not just a case number. You’re someone who was hurt when you shouldn’t have been. And that matters.

At Carter & Carter, we don’t chase claims. We fight for people. We’ll look at your case properly, explain your options clearly, and support you from day one  — with no pressure and no call centre scripts. If you’ve been hurt and think your employer could’ve done more, let’s talk — for a free, no obligation discussion about your workplace accident injury claim, just call 0800 652 0586, email [email protected], or complete a Free Online Enquiry. We’re here to help.

Not sure if your employer was at fault? Let’s talk — no pressure, no jargon, just straight answers from someone who genuinely cares.

Call Carter & Carter or start a free, no-obligation case review today.

Meet the author

David Healey has specialised in personal injury law since 1999 and qualified as a solicitor in 2005. With thousands of successful claims behind him, he brings deep expertise and a personal, hands-on approach to every case.

David works directly with each client from start to finish — offering clear advice, honest support, and a tireless commitment to securing the best possible outcome. At Carter & Carter Solicitors, he continues to champion fair results for injury victims with empathy, integrity, and unwavering dedication.

Learn more at www.candcsolicitors.co.uk/about-us or call David on 01663 761 892.