Do I have a case?

Question

I slipped on wet wooden stairs in a hotel whilst I was on holiday. I landed on the stairs' very sharp edges and injured myself. I was taken in hospital by ambulance.

There was a sign that said "Slippery when wet". The stairs did not look wet. I did not run or walked fast.

I want to claim for compenstaion. Do I have a valid case?

I am back now and still haven't been able to work, drive, and sleep properly due to my injury. I have been receiving specialist treatments and am looking to recover in about 12 weeks. In the meantime I have to receive constant specialist treatments, unable to work and drive.

The "Slippery when wet" sign was there permanently and it was under the notice board.
I was not drunk, or silly or stupid. I was on my way to the gym.

Please can I have proper answers from people who have an idea about the law. It is a well know fact that every businesses have to have public liability insurance that covers accidents and negligence on the business property.

The accident happened in the Caribbeans. I was on my way to the gym and there was no other route I could have taken.
I work really hard and claiming for compenstation is not the only way I can make money. I have never placed a claim, never had a court case. I am angry at the hotel. It was a beautiful 4 star, expensive hotel that should have safe environment for the guests and holiday makers to be. That's what we pay for.
My treatments will cost me quiet a lot of money and I am not able to work. It is not funny and I believe the hotel should pay for my hospital expenses.

Answer 1

even though was a warning sighn you do still have a case the amount you are allowed to sue depends on many factors. 1 is how severely you were injured, you probably can't sue for negligence because of the sighn but you can recieve medical benefits and compensation for pain and suffering and any wage losses as well as payment for services such as if you need to hire help around your home or people to drive you to dr. appt. and errands but you need to see an attorney ASAP. there are time limits involved.

Answer 2

I dislike the compensation culture, but you may have a case. You will have to go and see a solicitor. The positioning of the sign is not so important, as it was clearly visible to you.

The key factor here is the nature of the warning. The sign said 'slippery when wet'. That's kinda obvious as most things are slippery when they get wet. What the sign did not specify was if the steps were wet or not. As you correctly point out, the steps did not look wet, and the sign did not specify that the steps where wet.

What you need to do is find out if the sign is there permanently, or if the sign is only there just after a spillage or the cleaners have been. If the sign is there permanently, it is ineffective signage and you have a strong case.

If it is only there when cleaning is being done, then I still think you may still have a case, as the sign should really point out that the steps are wet, and that caution is required.

Your other problem may actually be in proving that any spillage caused your fall. If the steps did not look wet, then they may not have been. Were you wearing high heels, been drinking etc? Did any other factor cause you to fall - this will be the counter-argument.

Answer 3

It sounds as if the hotel has covered itself by putting the sign up. Whether the stairs looked wet or not, they were wet and you should have taken extra care.
Falling over is just one of those things. It happens to everyone at some point. It's just most of us don't immediately start looking for compo.
What exactly was your injury? You don't specify what you did to yourself. Furthermore, as you know, NHS treatment is free so quite why you say you are paying for it I cannot imagine.
I suggest you contact a lawyer - and pay through the nose - since you are clearly not getting the answers you want.

Answer 4

it may depend on whether as a result of the accident you have had any long term physical damage. The hotel has covered itself with the sign 'the stairs did not look wet' is not really an excuse - the sign was there as a caution so the hotel may claim that you should have been more cautious

Answer 5

Sounds like you have no hope. I am so fed up with people claiming when things are their own fault!

We are bombarded with health and safety and it really is getting totally out of control. This is because of people claiming compensation all the time. Don't you just hate the ridiculous lengths businesses have to go through in order not to be sued?

People should just take care in what they are doing, soon people wont be able to think for themselves because of signs everywhere telling you what to do and how to do it.

I fell down some stairs in Italy that were poorly lit and hurt myself. My fault entirely for not taking care. I refuse to sue, I love the culture of "its your problem" in Europe, and everyone is much more laid back but cautious at the same time.

Don't encourage this sort of thing. You should be able to claim disability allowance from the government for the time you are off etc. I hope you make a good recovery and I'm sorry for the rant.

Answer 6

Probably not . They put a sign up to cover themselves. Although you should look into were the sign was situated ie in plain view or not. I am sure regulations state that anti-slip measures should be taken in public places. Although your holiday company if you booked with one could be held responsible for not assuring guests safety well enough. You never know if you make enough noise you may get some kind of silencer .

Answer 7

no, sorry it doesnt look like you have a case. the 'wet floor' sign proves that they took procautions to make sure itdidnt happen. if you slipped, there's nothing else they could have done.

even if it was their fault, i dont think looking for compenstion would have been the answer, nowadays the only way someone can make money is that way. what about working hard and earning it. just because you slipped doesnt mean the hotel should lose out.

Answer 8

Why haven't you already claimed on their insurance? It doesn't cost the hotel anything. That's why they have insurance.
If you want compensation for pain and suffering, then you need to prove negligence, etc. I don't think you have a case in court but a big hotel may be willing to give you a settlement.

Answer 9

If there was a clear sign, warning people that the stairs were slippery, you wouldn't have a claim. Put it down to you being drunk, tired or simply not taking enough care

Answer 10

Depends on where the sign was. was it in a place where you could see it before you slipped or did you see it after. Talk to a lawyer. Heck Edwards made a decent living chasing amublances.