If a nightclub injury has set you back, we'll help you move forward
If your life, or the life of a loved one, has been affected by a nightclub accident, we can help. Whether your injuries were caused by a slip, trip, fall or other incident, you may be entitled to claim compensation.
You can make a compensation claim for an accident in a public place with the help and support of a personal injury solicitor.
In this article
You are not alone
Low light levels, slippery dance floors, broken glass and excessive alcohol consumption, all present significant risk to nightclub patrons. However, club owners and occupiers owe a duty of care to patrons to ensure that the nightclub is safe and fit for purpose.
If you are injured because a nightclub's health and safety measures were inadequate, you could be entitled to make an occupiers liability claim for injury compensation.
From slips, trips and falls leading to bruising, sprains and broken bones, to lacerations from shards of glass or other sharp hazards, compensation can be claimed for many of the injuries sustained in nightclubs, pubs and bars, even if you were intoxicated when the accident happened.
See also:
Claiming compensation for a pub or bar injury
What are the legal responsibilities of a nightclub owner?
Under the Occupier's Liability Act 1957, nightclub owners have a legal duty to ensure that visitors to their premises are kept reasonably safe from harm. This means making sure that club patrons are not exposed to unnecessary or foreseeable risks.
As part of this, owners need to carry out an initial risk assessment, identifying any potential hazards, and then implement sufficient health and safety procedures. This includes having a system in places to ensure that regular checks are carried out and that they are quick to remove hazards.
This regular checking is essential in nightclubs as new hazards can occur on a regular basis. For example, drinks are often spilt or glasses dropped and broken. This can occur anywhere from the dance floor, to the bar, to the public toilets.
Safety breaches that can lead to a nightclub injury claim
If an accident occurs in a nightclub because of an avoidable risk, such as insufficient lighting, slippery stair coverings or broken glass on the floor, a person can claim for personal injury compensation as the nightclub owner failed to meet their duty of care'.
Not every risk or hazard must be removed immediately once identified. However a suitable warning must be in place, such as a wet floor or danger sign.
Common examples of safety failures which lead to nightclub injury claims include:
- Owner/manager did not employ enough staff to adequately clean up drink spills and broken glass
- Floor coverings were unsuitable (not non-slip), poor quality or slippery due to the use of incorrect cleaning products
- Lighting was inadequate on the stairs or around other hazards
- Obstacles, such as tailing cables, were not removed or suitably covered
- Chairs, tables and other nightclub furniture was unsafe due to poor quality or poor maintenance
- Excessively loud music
Other causes of injuries in nightclubs include an assault by a bouncer or member of the public. However these would be classed as a criminal injury. This would entail a claim for criminal injury compensation through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), rather than a personal injury claim.
What should I do after a nightclub accident?
When an accident happens in a nightclub the first priority is seeking medical attention and notifying staff. Not only should staff administer first aid or call an ambulance for more serious injuries, but they should also log the incident in the premises' accident book.
Other steps to take which will help build a case for a compensation claim include:
- Photographing the scene of the accident
- Photographing the injuries
- Seeking witnesses and requesting contact details
- Asking for security camera footage that may have captured the incident
If negligence can be proven, the nightclub owner should have insurance in place to cover any claims made against them.
Do I have a nightclub injury claim?
If you've been injured in an accident that was caused another person or organisation in the last 3 years, you will be entitled to make a claim for financial compensation.
Find out online if you can claim with our injury claim calculator. Alternatively, you can speak to a claims advisor on 0800 376 1001 and find out if you have a claim in minutes.
Is a claim still possible if I am partly liable?
Ascertaining who is liable for an accident is not always straightforward and can often involve blame on both sides.
In our 2023 Public Liability Injury Claimant Survey, 17.45% of respondents said they either were unsure of which party was responsible, or believed they were partially responsible for their injuries.
Even if you were partly at fault, you could still be able to claim compensation. 'Split liability' or 'contributory negligence' are terms used to describe these cases.
Read more:
Can I claim if I feel I was partly responsible for my accident?
How much compensation can I claim for a nightclub injury?
The amount of money you could claim for your injury will depend on:
- the seriousness of your injury, and
- any financial losses or costs you have incurred.
At the start of your claim, your solicitor will consider the many ways your injuries have affected your life. Your solicitor will take these considerations into account to calculate the correct compensation award.
Nightclub injury
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Updated December 2023
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General damages
General damages are awarded for pain, suffering and loss of amenity (PSLA).
Awards for general damages are set by the Judicial College and published in their guidelines for personal injury awards.
How is compensation calculated if I have multiple injuries?
Special damages
Special damages are awarded to compensate you for any costs or losses you've incurred or might incur as a result of your accident. These costs might include loss of income, including future loss of income, or any other out of pocket expenses.
Special damages may also be awarded for medical treatments or procedures that you might need to treat your nightclub injury, including pain medication and psychological support.
Read more:
A complete list of recoverable losses in a personal injury claim
How did your injury happen?
Nightclub injury claims are usually referred to as public place, or occupiers' liability, claims. Click on the icons below to learn more:
Injury FAQs
How long does an injury claim take?
What are my chances of winning my claim?
How long do I have to make an injury claim?
No win, no fee nightclub injury compensation claims
With no win, no fee, you can claim nightclub injury compensation without financial risk. If your claim isn't successful, you pay nothing. If you win, you only pay a pre-agreed percentage of your compensation.
How we can help you with your injury claim
Your solicitor will fight for the best possible compensation settlement for you, and the highly-experienced panel of solicitors have an excellent track record of winning injury claims.
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Author:
Chris Salmon, Director
About the author
Chris Salmon is a co-founder and Director of Quittance Legal Services. Chris has played key roles in the shaping and scaling of a number of legal services brands and is a regular commentator in the legal press.