Pub Injury Claims

Pub accidents can happen to both customers and staff. If you were injured in a pub because the landlord, brewery or pub operator has failed to keep you reasonably safe, you may be entitled to make a pub injury claim for compensation.

Accidents in pubs include slips, trips and falls, food poisoning, burns, scalds and physical altercations. These can result in various injuries, from mild bruising and concussions to permanent scarring and brain trauma.

If you would like to find out if you can start a pub or bar injury compensation claim, please call 0800 470 0474 or request a call back. If your case has merit, a personal injury solicitor will help you start a no win no fee claim, so there are no financial risks and no upfront costs.

Table of Contents

• Can I make a pub injury compensation claim?
• Do pubs owe a duty of care to customers?
• Can I make a bar injury claim as a pub or bar employee?
• What is the time limit to make a pub or bar accident claim?
• How do I start a claim for an accident in a pub?
• What evidence do I need to support my pub accident compensation claim?
• How much compensation can I claim for an injury in a pub?
• Will a personal injury solicitor help me make a claim on a No Win No Fee basis?
• What are the most common types of pub and bar accident claims?
• What injuries could lead to a pub accident claim?

Do pubs owe a duty of care to customers?

Yes. Under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957, pub owners and operators must take reasonable steps to keep customers safe while on the premises. Their responsibilities include:

• Carry out regular inspections of the premises to identify potential hazards.
• Ensure all areas are in good repair, including floors, staircases, lighting, and furniture.
• Promptly address any hazards, such as loose carpeting, broken furniture or spills.
• Use clear, visible signage to warn customers of potential hazards, such as wet floors or broken steps.
• Keep floors clean and dry and ensure that walkways are well-lit and free of obstacles.
• Ensure that heavy objects are securely fixed and not at risk of falling.
• Train staff to recognise and address potential hazards promptly.
• Adhere to food safety regulations to prevent contamination and foodborne illnesses.
• Ensure that drinks are served safely and avoid over-serving alcohol to prevent customer intoxication and associated risks.

If a breach of duty is established, you will be able to proceed with a bar accident compensation claim.

Can I make a bar injury claim as a pub or bar employee?

Yes. If you were injured at work, a solicitor could help you claim compensation from your employer. Under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, employers must:

• Conduct regular risk assessments and minimise or eliminate identified hazards.
• Train employees in manual handling, safe work practices, and how to deal with emergencies.
• Ensure adequate supervision of inexperienced staff.
• Provide a safe, clean working environment free of hazards.
• Ensure that all equipment is in good working order and regularly maintained.
• Supply personal protective equipment (PPE) when needed and ensure it is used correctly.
• Have a system in place to report and record accidents, injuries, and near-misses.

If your injury resulted from a breach of these duties, you could make a workplace accident claim.

What is the time limit to make a pub or bar accident claim?

In most cases, you have three years to start a compensation claim following a pub or bar accident. There are a few exceptions:

• If you were under 18 at the time of injury, the three years will only begin to run on your 18th birthday.
• If you cannot start a claim due to a brain injury or another condition that affects your mental capacity, the time limit is put on hold. A litigation friend could claim on your behalf at any time.
• You have two years to make a criminal injury claim through the CICA.

How do I start a claim for an accident in a pub?

If you were involved in an accident in a pub or bar and want to start a personal injury claim, you should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They will:

• Confirm whether you are entitled to compensation.
• Help you gather supporting evidence.
• Contact the defendant and inform them of your claim.
• Negotiate compensation on your behalf.
• Issue court proceedings if necessary.
• Provide support and guidance throughout the claims process.

What evidence do I need to support my pub accident compensation claim?

To make a pub or bar injury claim, you must show how the accident happened, who was responsible, and how the injury affected you. The most useful evidence includes:

• Clear photos or videos of the accident scene (wet floors, poor lighting or broken furniture) and your injuries.
• CCTV footage from the pub can provide objective evidence of what happened if available.
• Statements from witnesses whose accounts can support your version of events.
• A copy of an accident report made with the pub management, which should detail the time, date, location, and nature of the incident.
• A copy of your medical records to prove the type and severity of the harm you suffered and the treatments you received.
• Expert testimony from medical or safety specialists.
• Copies of the pub’s maintenance and cleaning records to show whether they followed the safety standards.
• Your detailed account of the accident and how your injuries have affected your work and daily life.
• Proof of financial losses that you want to include in your pub injury claim, such as prescriptions or care costs.

How much compensation can I claim for an injury in a pub?

Each pub accident claim is unique, so the amount of compensation you may receive will be calculated based on your specific losses. These are typically grouped into two types of damages:

General damages are intended to compensate for the non-monetary aspects of the injury. They can include physical pain, emotional distress, loss of enjoyment of life, scarring and disfigurement.

Special damages compensate for the monetary losses incurred because of the injury, such as:

• Private medical treatments and rehabilitation.
• Loss of earnings and of earning capacity.
• Costs of travel to and from medical appointments.
• Costs of care or assistance, even if provided by family members.

You can find out more about how much compensation you could be entitled to claim for a pub-related injury by checking out our personal injury compensation calculator.

Will a personal injury solicitor help me make a claim on a No Win No Fee basis?

If you have grounds to claim pub injury compensation, your solicitor will work on a no win no fee basis. You will not have to pay any upfront fees, and you will not be taking any financial risks.

Also known as a conditional fee agreement (CFA), the no win no fee service works like this:

• If you make a successful claim, your solicitor will receive a success fee of up to 25% of your pub injury compensation.
• If your claim is unsuccessful, you do not have to pay them a penny.

What are the most common types of pub and bar accident claims?

Whether you are a customer or a member of staff, a pub accident can be traumatic and cause long-lasting injuries. Examples of situations that can lead to a pub injury claim include:

• Slips, trips and falls – Slips and trips are the most common types of accidents leading to public liability claims and are often caused by hazards such as spillages, poor lighting or cluttered walkways
• Furniture accidents – Faulty chairs, bar stools or tables can collapse under a person’s weight, causing them to fall. Sharp edges or protruding parts of broken furniture can also cause injuries such as cuts and lacerations.
• Criminal assaults – If you have been roughly handled by a member of the staff or assaulted by another customer, you may be able to claim through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA).
• Poor hygiene standards – Many pubs also serve food to their patrons, in addition to drinks. If safety standards are not followed and food is not stored or cooked correctly, it can pose health risks and lead to food poisoning.
• Overcrowding – Excessive crowding in the venue can lead to crush injuries. Overcrowding can also make it difficult to move around freely, increasing the risk of trips and falls.
• Falling objects – Objects falling from shelves, ceilings or walls can hit patrons or staff on the head or other body parts, causing severe injuries.
• Broken glass – Broken glass shards can cause deep cuts and lacerations if someone steps or falls onto them. These injuries may result in significant bleeding and permanent scars.

What injuries could lead to a pub accident claim?

A pub accident compensation claim can arise from various types of injuries, such as:

• Lacerations from broken glass or sharp edges on furniture and fixtures.
• Burn injuries and scalds from hot drinks or from steam or hot surfaces in the kitchen.
• Sprains and strains from lifting heavy objects like kegs without proper technique or from slipping and falling.
• Broken bones from slips, trips and falls on wet or uneven floors.
• Brain injuries can occur if you hit your head due to a fall or are struck by a falling object.
• Allergic reactions and food poisoning from unsafe food and drinks.
• Electric shocks from faulty electrical equipment or exposed wiring.

You could claim compensation if you suffered any of these or other injuries due to someone else’s negligence.

To find out if you can start a pub injury compensation claim, arrange a free case assessment today by calling free on 0800 470 0474 or using our online contact form.

Last edited on 4th Dec 2025

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.