Winter brings icy mornings and slippery surfaces, and for many employees, the works car park can become a hazard. If you’ve suffered an injury after slipping on ice at work, you may be wondering whether your employer is responsible and what your rights are. Under English and Welsh health and safety law, employers have clear duties to protect staff from foreseeable risks, and that includes icy car parks.

Employer Duties Under Health and Safety Law

Employers in England and Wales are legally required to provide a safe working environment under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. This duty extends beyond the office or factory floor to areas under their control, such as car parks and walkways. Key obligations include:

  • Risk Assessment: Employers must identify hazards, including seasonal risks like ice and snow.
  • Preventative Measures: Gritting paths, clearing snow, and providing safe access routes are essential steps.
  • Maintenance and Monitoring: Regular checks should ensure these measures remain effective throughout winter.

Failure to take reasonable steps to prevent slips and falls can amount to negligence. If your employer has not acted appropriately, you may have grounds to claim compensation.

Your Right to Claim Compensation for Negligence

If you’ve been injured because your employer failed to meet their legal obligations, you have the right to seek compensation. A successful claim can cover:

  • Loss of earnings if you’ve had to take time off work.
  • Medical expenses and rehabilitation costs.
  • Incident expenses e.g. additional mileage, over the counter medication etc
  • Pain and suffering caused by the injury.

To succeed, you’ll need to show that your employer breached their duty of care and that this caused your accident. Evidence such as photographs of the icy area, witness statements, and medical records can strengthen your case.

No Win No Fee – Making Claims Accessible

Many people worry about the cost of pursuing a claim. At Ison Harrison, we remove that barrier by offering No Win No Fee funding. This means:

  • No upfront costs: you won’t pay anything to start your claim.
  • No financial risk: if your claim is unsuccessful, you won’t pay our fees. If your claim is successful we retain a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
  • Clear advice from day one: we’ll explain the process and keep you informed throughout.

Our experienced personal injury team have a proven track record in workplace accident claims, including slips and trips. We understand the impact an injury can have on your life and are here to help you secure the compensation you deserve.

What Should You Do Next?

If you’ve slipped on ice in your employer’s car park, take these steps:

  1. Report the accident to your employer and ensure it’s recorded in the accident book.
  2. Seek medical attention and keep copies of all records.
  3. Gather evidence, this can include photos of the area, details of any witnesses, and notes on what happened.
  4. Get legal advice and speak to a specialist solicitor as soon as possible.

Contact Ison Harrison Today

Don’t suffer in silence. If you’ve been injured because your employer failed to keep you safe, you may be entitled to compensation. Our friendly, expert team offers free, no-obligation advice and handles claims on a No Win No Fee basis.

Call Ison Harrison today or visit your nearest office to speak to one of our personal injury specialists. Let us help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

For expert personal injury advice, call our team on 0113 284 5000 or email pi@isonharrison.co.uk.