When you are visiting a library, they are responsible for taking practicable steps and measures to ensure your reasonable safety. If they fail to do so and you suffer an injury because of this, you may be able to make an accident in a library claim.
We first discuss what eligibility criteria you need to meet to be able to start claiming library accident compensation. We also look at some examples of how a library accident could happen.
Furthermore, we discuss what evidence would be best to collect to prove your case, and how library accident compensation is calculated.
At the end of this guide, we tell you what time limit you would need to start claiming by, and how our panel of No Win No Fee solicitors could help you.
Don’t hesitate to enquire with us today whether you’re eligible to make an accident in a library claim. Our friendly advisors can give you advice on what you can do next following your accident, and they may be able to connect you to our panel of solicitors. Here is how you can chat to us today for free:
- Call 020 8050 2736
- Fill out our claim online form.
- Message in our on-screen live chat box.
Jump To A Section
- What Is An Accident In A Library Claim?
- How Can A Library Accident Be Caused By Negligent Actions?
- How To Make An Accident In A Library Claim
- What Library Accident Compensation Could I Receive?
- Is There A Time Limit For Making A Library Accident Claim?
- Make An Accident In A Library Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis
- Learn More About Public Liability Claims
What Is An Accident In A Library Claim?
An accident in a library claim can be made when someone suffers an injury in a library due to the occupier of the library breaching their duty of care. These factors together make up the definition of negligence.
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, anyone (occupiers) who controls an area that the public has access to owes a duty of care to visitors. This duty of care requires occupiers to take steps to ensure the reasonable safety of those who visit a public place.
As such, if your circumstances match the eligibility criteria below, you may be able to make a library claim:
- An occupier of a library, such as the local council, owed you a duty of care as a public visitor.
- The occupier breached their duty of care by not taking steps to ensure your reasonable safety.
- An accident happened and you became injured due to this breach of duty.
By chatting with one of our advisors, you can confirm your claim eligibility.
How Can A Library Accident Be Caused By Negligent Actions?
Here are just a few examples of how an accident could possibly occur in a library as a result of the occupier breaching their duty of care:
- Regular risk assessments should be carried out to identify and remove hazards. If the occupier has failed to do this, you could, for example, trip and fall over torn carpeting in the building, leading to broken bone injuries.
- Occupiers should respond to reports of hazards as soon as is reasonably possible. So, for example, if there have been reports that a bookshelf is faulty, but the occupier has failed to repair this in a timely manner, then the bookshelf could collapse and fall on you if you are standing underneath it. Being struck by heavy objects could lead to head injuries such as concussion or brain damage.
- Warning signs should be put out for hazards that cannot be removed. So, for example, if there is no ‘mind your head’ sign put out on a lowered bit of ceiling in the building, you could hit your head and suffer cuts and facial scarring.
The types of accidents that could happen in a library due to negligent care are not limited to this list. So, it is best if you get in touch with us today and explain how your specific library accident took place.
Can I Claim For Workplace Accidents As A Library Employee?
Yes, you can make a personal injury claim if you are an employee of a library that has suffered negligence.
Under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, all employers owe a duty of care to their employees. This duty of care requires employers to take reasonable steps to ensure the safety of their employees while they are working.
Some of these reasonable steps include providing the necessary training, such as manual handling training, and providing the necessary Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
Similarly, here are the eligibility criteria to make an accident in a library claim as an employee:
- An employer of a library owed you a duty of care as one of their employees.
- The employer breached their duty of care by not taking reasonable steps to ensure your safety.
- You became injured due to this breach of duty.
Contact us today to learn more about making an accident at work claim as a library employee.
How To Make An Accident In A Library Claim
One of the most important parts of the personal injury claims process is proving that negligence has occurred.
So, here are some types of evidence you should collect if you are looking to make an accident in a library claim:
- Copies of your medical records and notes, such as copies of any X-rays, show the extent of your injuries and what medical care you have received.
- A personal symptoms diary, where you have recorded the symptoms you are experiencing.
- Library CCTV footage of the accident taking place.
- Photographs of your visible injuries and of the accident scene. For example, if you tripped and fell over torn carpeting, you should take a picture of the torn carpet.
- Contact details from any witnesses of the accident, such as a family member or a member of the public. They could be asked to give a statement during the claims process.
- Get a copy of the accident book or accident form if there is a written report of your accident.
It may seem daunting to collect all of the evidence you need to strengthen your personal injury claim. This is why if you are connected with a solicitor from our panel, they can collect your evidence. This is just one of the services they can provide to help you. So, to potentially connect with a specialist solicitor from our panel, please contact us today.
What Library Accident Compensation Could I Receive?
If your accident in a library claim is successful, there are two heads of loss which could potentially make up your overall library accident compensation. These are called general and special damages.
All successful personal injury claims are awarded general damages, whereas only some successful claims are awarded special damages.
General damages provide compensation for how you have been physically and mentally affected by your library accident. These are just some factors that are considered when this head of claim is being valued:
- Loss of amenity.
- The severity of your pain.
- How long treatment and recovery will take.
The Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) and your medical records can be used to help value this head of claim. The JCG is a publication with guideline compensation brackets for different types of injuries and illnesses.
Guideline Compensation Table
In the table below, you can find some types of injuries that could possibly be suffered after an accident in a library. These injuries, and their accompanying guideline compensation brackets, have been taken from the JCG.
Please note that the first figure has not been taken from the JCG and that this table must only be used as a guide. This is because all personal injury claims are unique, and the value of your compensation cannot be guaranteed.
| Injury type | Severity | Guideline compensation brackets | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries plus special damages | Serious | Up to £1,000,000+ | Compensation for sustaining multiple serious injuries plus financial losses, such as loss of earnings and medical bills. |
| Brain damage | Very severe (a) | £344,150 to £493,000 | Cases within this bracket include quadriplegic cerebral palsy. |
| Less severe (d) | £18,700 to £52,550 | Where the person will have problems with concentration and memory, but a good recovery will be made and they will be able to return to work and take part in a normal social life. | |
| Leg | Severe (b) (i) | £117,460 to £165,860 | Where fractures have not united and extensive bone grafting is needed. |
| Less serious (c) (i) | £21,920 to £33,880 | Fractures where an incomplete recovery is made. | |
| Facial scarring | Very severe scarring (a) | £36,340 to £118,790 | Where the claimant is young and the cosmetic effect is disfiguring. |
| Less significant (d) | £4,820 to £16,770 | Cases within this bracket include one single scar that can be hidden and does not represent any significant cosmetic blemish. | |
| Wrist | Complete loss of function (a) | £58,710 to £73,050 | Cases within this bracket include where an arthrodesis has been performed. |
| Less severe (c) | £15,370 to £29,900 | Where there is still some permanent disability, such as persisting stiffness and pain. |
Special Damages
Special damages provide compensation for how you have been financially affected by your library accident. For example, if you have suffered:
- Loss of earnings from being unable to work during your recovery.
- Medical bills, such as prescriptions.
- Travel costs to attend medical appointments.
Being awarded special damages can benefit you greatly, as your financial position can be restored to what it was before your library accident.
However, you can only be reimbursed for your injury’s financial losses if you can provide sufficient evidence. So, keep hold of any payslips, receipts, bank statements, and invoices.
Contact us if you wish to learn more about how library accident compensation is calculated.
Is There A Time Limit For Making A Library Accident Claim?
Yes, under the Limitation Act 1980, there is a 3-year time limit to beginning a personal injury claim, such as a library accident claim. This time limit starts from the date the accident took place.
However, exceptions apply to this time limit for the following:
- Those injured under the age of 18. In this case, the time limit is paused until their 18th birthday. From this date, they will have until their 21st birthday to begin the claims process.
- Those injured who lack the mental capacity to make their own claim. In this case, the time limit is suspended indefinitely. It will only be reinstated if the person regains this mental capacity and will run from this recovery date.
In both cases, where the time limit is paused or suspended, a court-appointed litigation friend could begin a claim on the injured party’s behalf.
Contact us today to ensure that your potential accident in a library claim is started as soon as possible.
Make An Accident In A Library Claim On A No Win No Fee Basis
If you have an eligible accident in a library claim, you could claim compensation on a No Win No Fee basis with us. Specifically, if you are connected with a solicitor from our panel, they could offer you a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA).
Here are the benefits of claiming compensation under a CFA:
- You pay nothing for your solicitor’s services before the claims process begins.
- You pay nothing for your solicitor’s services during the claims process.
- If your claim is not successful, you pay nothing for your solicitor’s services.
- If your claim is successful, you pay nothing for your solicitor’s services directly out of your pocket. Instead, your solicitor will take a legally capped success fee from your compensation. Success fees are a percentage. The legal cap on this percentage ensures that the majority of the compensation goes to you.
Contact Us Today
If you have been injured in a library, contact us today to enquire about your claim eligibility. Our panel of specialist No Win No Fee personal injury solicitors have years of legal experience and work hard to ensure that their claimants receive the best level of service. You can contact us for free and at any time:
- Call 020 8050 2736
- Fill out our claim online form.
- Message in our on-screen live chat box.
Learn More About Public Liability Claims
Here are some of our other public liability claims guides:
- How to make a public liability claim for an accident in a shop.
- Advice on pavement accident claims.
- How to claim compensation if you have been injured in a hotel.
Additionally, these pages might be useful to you:
- Gov.UK – how to claim Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) for having time off work to recovery from your injury.
- NHS – access 111 online to get help for your symptoms.
- Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) – a British charity that focuses on accident prevention.
Thank you for reading our guide on how to make an accident in a library claim. Don’t hesitate to ask us any questions you may have.
