Restaurant Accident Claims — No Win, No Fee
Last reviewed: September 2026 · EA Personal Injury Solicitors
Restaurants, pubs and cafes owe their customers a duty to take reasonable care for their safety. If you were injured in a slip, fall, scald or other accident caused by the venue's negligence, you may be able to claim on a no win, no fee basis; a success fee may be deducted if the claim succeeds.
TL;DR — Quick Summary
Key Points
- Covers slips, trips, scalds, defective furniture and food poisoning at restaurants, pubs and cafes
- Venues owe visitors a duty of care under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957
- An accident report and photographs taken at the time strengthen your claim
- Three-year time limit from the date of the accident in most cases
- No win, no fee — if the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation
The Duty Owed by Restaurants, Pubs and Cafes
Under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, anyone who operates premises open to the public — including restaurants, pubs, cafes and bars — owes visitors a duty to take reasonable care to ensure they are reasonably safe while using the premises for the purpose they were invited or permitted to be there. This includes maintaining safe flooring, promptly clearing spillages, keeping walkways clear of obstructions, ensuring furniture and fixtures are safe, and maintaining reasonable standards of food hygiene.
Common Types of Restaurant Accidents
- Slips on spilled food or drink — left unattended or not cleared within a reasonable time
- Trips on uneven or damaged flooring — loose tiles, torn carpet, or trailing cables
- Scalds from hot food or drink — served negligently or in unstable containers
- Falls on poorly lit stairs or steps
- Injuries from defective furniture — collapsing chairs, unstable tables or broken fixtures
- Food poisoning — caused by poor food hygiene, handling or storage practices
- Falling objects — items falling from shelves, displays or fixtures onto a customer
Evidence in Restaurant Accident Claims
- An accident report completed by the venue at the time, if available
- Photographs of the hazard and the accident scene, taken as soon as possible
- The name, address and any booking or payment reference for the venue
- CCTV footage — request this promptly, as it may be overwritten
- Witness details, including staff and other customers who saw what happened
- Medical records documenting your injury or illness
- For food poisoning: details of what you ate, when symptoms started, and any stool sample test results
What Compensation Can Cover
Compensation covers general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, and special damages including medical treatment, lost earnings, and any other out-of-pocket expenses caused by the accident.
Typical Compensation Amounts
The figures below are indicative brackets for the injury itself (general damages), based on the Judicial College Guidelines used by courts and insurers in England and Wales. Financial losses such as lost earnings, treatment costs and care (special damages) are claimed in addition, and in serious cases often exceed the injury award.
| Injury | Guideline bracket |
|---|---|
| Moderate neck/soft tissue injury (up to ~2 years) | c. £2,300–£12,900 |
| Simple arm or wrist fracture | c. £6,000–£16,000 |
| Moderate knee injury | c. £13,000–£26,000 |
| Moderate back injury (good prognosis) | c. £12,000–£27,000 |
These brackets are a guide only — the value of your claim depends on the severity of your injury, your prognosis and your financial losses. We cannot promise or predict a specific outcome. See our full guide to compensation amounts or contact us for a free assessment of your claim.
No Win, No Fee Restaurant Accident Claims
We act under a Conditional Fee Agreement. If the claim fails, you pay nothing. If the claim succeeds, a success fee may be deducted from your compensation.