slips trips and falls nsw

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• Slips, Trips and Falls
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• Posted on January 27, 2023
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Source: Safe Work Australia

Each year slips, trips and falls cause thousands of preventable injuries, with the most common being musculoskeletal injuries and fractures. Persons conducting a business or undertaking (PCBUs) must eliminate or minimise the risks of injury as far as is reasonably practicable.

The most common ones are: 

• musculoskeletal injuries (injuries to muscles, nerves, tendons, joints, cartilage and spinal discs)
• bruises 
• fractures 
• dislocations. 

More serious injuries and deaths can also happen. 

Slip, trip and fall hazards 

Some things that can cause you to slip are: 

• the wrong footwear 
• polished, wet or greasy floors. 

In most cases, people trip on low obstacles that are hard to spot, such as: 

• uneven edges in flooring 
• loose mats 
• open drawers 
• untidy tools, or 
• electrical cables. 

Falls can result from a slip or trip, but many occur from low heights. For example: 

• steps 
• stairs 
• kerbs, 
• holes 
• ditches, or 
• wet or slippery surfaces. 

WHS duties  

As a person conducting a business or undertaking ( PCBU ), you must always aim to eliminate the risk of slips, trips and falls, so far as is reasonably practicable. If that is not possible, you must minimise  risks  so far as is reasonably practicable. 

You must identify hazards, and assess and control risks. Think about your: 

• work areas 
• work procedures 
• tools 
• equipment.  

Consulting with workers can help you find better and easier ways to identify and minimise risks. You should also review control measures to ensure they are working as planned.  

Workers also have duties, including taking reasonable care for their own health and safety. 

Managing risks  

The best way to manage the risk of slips, trips and falls is to eliminate hazards at the design stage of the workplace.  

If you can’t eliminate the risk, you must minimise it so far as is reasonably practicable. 

Designing safe workplaces 

In designing floors, stairs, lighting, drainage and storage: 

• keep floors at a single level and use slip-resistant floor coverings 
• install extra power points to avoid trip hazards from trailing cords 
• ensure all areas are well lit, particularly stairwells 
• have good drainage and slip resistant grates 
• have lots of storage, so things aren’t left in walkways. 

Safe work procedures 

Work procedures can also impact on the incidence of slips, trips and falls. Have clear procedures to: 

• remove rubbish to avoid trip hazards 
• return tools and other items to their storage areas after use 
• report and clean spills 

Keep the workplace clean 

All workers share responsibility for keeping the workplace clean and tidy.  

Make sure you: 

• have adequate rubbish and recycling bins 
• have cleaning schedules in place 
• dry floors after cleaning 
• don’t have cords on walkway or work area floors. 

Training  

Training helps workers become more aware of slip and trip hazards and helps to prevent injuries.  

Training should include:  

• awareness of slip and trip hazards 
• identifying effective control measures 
• duties of workers. 

Using personal protective equipment (PPE) 

As a PCBU, you should only use PPE: 

• after you have implemented all other possible control measures. 
• as an interim measure until you can use a better  control measure  
• as a backup in addition to other control measures. 

Slip-resistant footwear 

Slip-resistant footwear is a type of PPE. 

Slip-resistant footwear should be appropriate for the work and workers must wear it properly. 

In wet conditions, the shoe sole tread should: 

• be deep enough to help penetrate the surface water 
• make direct contact with the floor. 

In dry conditions, the shoe sole tread: 

• pattern should be a flat bottom construction 
• should grip the floor with maximum contact area. 

Types of slip-resistant footwear 

Urethane and rubber soles are more slip resistant than vinyl and leather soles.  

Sole materials that have tiny cell like features are slip resistant. 

Supporting information

• Model Code of Practice: How to manage work health and safety risks  
• Model Code of Practice: Managing the work environment and facilities 
• Slips and trips at the workplace fact sheet  

SafeWork NSW Building and Construction Symposium 

Federal government passed the anti-discrimination and human rights legislation.

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SafeWork small business rebate eligible safety items

A full list of safety items that are eligible for the $1000 SafeWork small business rebate.

Once you have purchased an eligible item, apply for the rebate

You can also view an A-Z list  of eligible safety items

Slips, trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls are the most common cause of serious injuries at work in NSW.  Slippery or poorly maintained floor surfaces or inadequate protection from falling from a height are the common causes.

Using anti-slip products, keeping workplaces clean and tidy and installing fall prevention items is the best way to avoid serious injuries. 

Choose items from the list below.

Anti-slip or trip items

• anti-slip surface treatment
• anti-slip treading or matting, safe check plates, treading or capping
• retractable hoses/leads
• retractable steps/stairs
• stair nosing

 Improving working environment

• lighting - fixed entry or exit lighting or external security lighting on commercial premises* 
• portable or battery-powered lighting, for example for construction or agriculture*

*Does not include decorative lighting or interior lighting.

 Falls from a height

• barriers (physical restraint) and guard railing system including edge protection, rails, screens, pit covers, open penetration and void protection
• bottom fill equipment for fuel tanks
• extension poles/equipment for working at heights, for example poles and water jets
• ladders, for example fixed access, step and full length
• scaffolding, fencing (portable and lightweight) 
• silo safety lid

Being hit by moving objects or isolated at work

There are many things in the workplace that can fall onto or hit someone and cause serious injury or even death. Installing animal restraint devices, falling object protective covers and having good traffic management systems can protect workers.

Being isolated at work in remote locations is a concern because the worker may be injured and unable to seek assistance. In these scenarios, it's important to use appropriate safety items that are not reliant on regular telecommunications. 

On a farm 

• animal management devices, for example sliding segregation gate for livestock, cattle crush, lamb marking cradle, head bales, calf puller and cattle panels

On the job site

• protective structures for falling objects

traffic management tools - bollards, cones, barricades, convex mirrors. 

Examples include:

• access ramps
• elevated walkway
• pedestrian crossing gates
• visual warning and signal systems

Isolated at work

• two-way (2-way) radios, emergency position-indicating radio beacon (EPIRBs) satellite phones
• personal duress alarms

site security devices and system - commercial premises only*

• security screens
• security doors to prevent unauthorised access to secure work areas

*excludes Closed Circuit TV (CCTV)

Heavy lifting, carrying or doing the same task often

Muscular stress, disability or even death can be caused by handling very heavy items, doing the same task repetitively, over-reaching and sitting for too long.

Choose items from the list below that are designed to limit lifting, pushing, pulling, carrying, moving or holding items.

Lifting objects, people or animals

• conveyer or elevator systems
• dock leveller

lifting devices - manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum or magnetic 

• conveyor systems, for example gravity roller, motorised, belt conveyor 
• drum lifters
• electric hoists
• hydraulic lifters
• lifting hoists
• pallet rollers
• patient handling/transfer device/rescue stretcher
• tailgate lifter
• vacuum lifters

Carrying equipment and moving animals

• backpack industrial equipment, for example industrial cleaning backpack vacuum
• livestock chutes, overhead shearing equipment

Muscle strain and stress

• work platforms – elevated/temporary, for example platform – adjustable loading

Moving machinery, plant or vehicles

Moving machinery, manufacturing equipment and electronic mixers have the potential to seriously injure or cause death if they collide, trap or crush a person.  

Effective traffic and machinery management procedures should be developed for each individual workplace. 

• Quad Bike/Side-by-Side vehicle helmets: Customers purchasing protective helmets for quad bike/Side-by-Side Vehicle (SSV) use must also upload a signed statutory declaration declaring that they are the owner of the quad bike/SSV, the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) and a photograph of the vehicle.
• Bogged vehicles/machinery: It is the responsibility of the small business to ensure that you purchase vehicle/machinery recovery kit or items that are correctly rated for the weight and type of vehicle/machinery involved. For safety information on how to reduce the risks to workers and others involved in vehicle and equipment recovery please refer to Safe Recovery information or Safe recovery of bogged vehicles and equipment .

Vehicles and trucks

• guarding for tyre rim assembly/fitting
• reversing cameras (standalone only, does not include dash cams)

vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles. 

Examples include: 

• recovery point eg. header hitch plates or safety hitches or tow points
• recovery cable (compliant with AS3569) 
• recover chains (compliant with AS3569)
• recovery dampeners
• recovery dampers
• recovery kit
• recovery point, for example header hitch plates or safety hitches
• recovery straps (compliant with AS1353.1 & AS1353.2) A63
• recovery strops
• recovery winch (compliant with AS3569)
• recovery wire rope (compliant with AS3569) shackles (compliant with AS2741) for bogged vehicle/machinery recovery
• soft shackles for bogged vehicle/machinery recovery
• warning and safety lights for traffic management
• emergency stop buttons, for example alarm or shut down device
• Lockout Tagout (LOTO) kits/software management tool for LOTO kits (not including maintenance/annual fees/licencing)
• machine guarding including fixed, interlocked, photoelectric and combination

On the farm

• platforms/steps (portable)
• power take-off guards for tractors
• quad bike safety: Operator Protective  Devices (OPDs)/Roll bars (ATV Lifeguard: www.atvlifeguards.com , Quadbar Flexi™: www.quadbar.com )
• quad bike/side-by-side vehicle (SSV) safety: protective helmets must be compliant with AS/NZS 1698:2006, UNECE22.05 or NZS 8600:2002
• rollover protective structures (ROPs) for tractors
• runover protective devices (tractors)
• safety bar for wool press  

Hazardous noise, chemicals and sun exposure 

Too much exposure to noise at work can lead to temporary or permanent hearing loss. There are many controls you can put in place to protect workers from exposure to hazardous noise. 

Harmful exposure to chemicals can be prevented. Without the proper handling and storage of chemicals, exposure can cause life threatening harm as well as other injuries.

Risks from heat and UV exposure for outdoor workers can be reduced. When planning working in hot conditions consider working under shade and shelter, rotating tasks, scheduling work to cooler times of the day, and providing personal protective equipment and water.  

Hazardous noise

• specialised personal hearing protectors as part of a hearing conservation program (AS/NZS 1270), for example specialised earmuffs or ear plugs (not in ear monitors)
• intake/exhaust system mufflers for air tools/machinery

Chemicals and dangerous goods

• air filtering systems for machinery, for example exhaust extraction system for a silica dust vacuum or a ventilation/exhaust system for hazardous chemicals (not air purifiers)
• bunding or spill kit containment systems
• chemical/dangerous goods (DG) storage cabinets (ANZS standard compliant)
• chemical delivery dispensing and/or siphoning system - closed and automatic
• dust suppression attachments for tools or machinery, for example water fed attachment for a grinder or polisher
• powered Air Purifying Respirator AS/NZS1716 compliant
• vacuum cleaner – asbestos and hazardous dust with dust class level ‘H’ or “M” filter compliant with AS 60335.2.69:2003
• wire mesh secured enclosure for chemical storage 

Sun exposure 

• sunshade protection structures for rural and outdoor work areas including vehicle mounted awning and portable gazebo*

*excludes temperature control equipment – such as air conditioners.

List by A-Z

This A-Z list specifies individual items that are available under the small business rebate program.

Some items come under a broader category. The broader category you will need to use on your application form for a specific item will be identified where applicable.

Air filtering systems for machinery, for example exhaust extraction system for a silica dust vacuum or a ventilation/exhaust system for hazardous chemicals (not air purifiers)

Animal management devices eg. sliding segregation gate for livestock, cattle crush, lamb marking cradle, head bales, calf puller

Anti-slip and surface treatment (AS4586 compliant)

Anti-slip treading or matting, safe check plates, treading or capping

Backpack industrial equipment

Barriers (physical restraint) and guard railing system e.g. edge protection, rails, screens, pit cover, open penetration, void protection

Bottom fill equipment for fuel tanks

Bunding for spills containment

Chemical delivery and dispensing and/or siphoning system – closed and automatic

Chemical/dangerous goods (DG) storage cabinets (ANZS standard compliant)

Conveyer or elevator systems

Dock leveller

Drum lifters (online application form description - Lifting devices - Manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum, or magnetic)

Dust suppression attachments for tools or machinery (eg. water fed attachment for a grinder or polisher)

Electric hoists (online application form description - Lifting devices - Manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum, or magnetic)

Emergency position-indicating radio beacons (EPIRBs) (online application form description - Two-way (2-way) radios, EPIRBs, satellite phone)

Emergency stop buttons

Extension poles/equipment for working at heights e.g. poles, water jets

External security lighting

Exhaust system mufflers for air tools/machinery (online application form description - Intake/exhaust system mufflers for air tools/machinery)

Fencing (portable and lightweight) (online application form description - Scaffolding, fencing (portable and lightweight)

Gates – sliding segregation gates for livestock (online application form description - Animal management devices e.g., sliding segregation gate for livestock, cattle crush, lamb marking cradle, head bales, calf puller, cattle panels)

Gazebo (online application form description - Sunshade protection structures for rural and outdoor work areas including vehicle mounted awning and portable gazebo)

Guard railing system or barrier (physical restraint) (online application form description - Barriers (physical restraint) and guard railing system including edge protection, rails, screens, pit covers, open penetration and void protection)

Guarding for tyre rim assembly/fitting

Helmet for quad bike/Side-by-Side Vehicle (SSV) safety (online application form description - Quad bike/side-by-side vehicle (SSV) safety: protective helmets compliant with AS/NZS 1698:2006, UNECE22.05 or NZS 8600:2002)

Hoists (online application form description - Lifting devices - Manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum, or magnetic)

Hoses (retractable) (online application form description - Retractable hoses/leads)

Hydraulic lifters (online application form description - Lifting devices - Manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum, or magnetic)

Intake/exhaust system mufflers for air tools/machinery

Ladders (online application form description - Ladders e.g., fixed access, step and full length)

Leads (retractable) (online application form description - Retractable hoses/leads)

Lifting devices – manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum or magnetic For example: 

• conveyor systems e.g. gravity roller, motorised, belt conveyor
• electric hoists 
• lifting hoists 

Lifting hoists (online application form description - Lifting devices - Manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum, or magnetic)

Lighting – fixed entry or exit lighting or external security lighting on commercial premises*. Portable or battery-powered lighting (eg for construction or agriculture) *Does not include decorative lighting or interior lighting.

Livestock chutes, overhead shearing equipment

Lockout Tagout (LOTO) kits/software management tool for LOTO kits (not including maintenance/annual fees/licencing)

Machine guarding including fixed, interlocked, photoelectric or combination

Machinery/Plant – alarm or shut down device (online application form description - Emergency stop buttons)

Operator Protective Devices (OPDs)/Roll bars for quad bike safety (online application form description - Quad bike safety: Operator Protective Devices (OPDs)/Roll bars (ATV Lifeguard and Quadbar Flexi™))

Pallet rollers (online application form description - Lifting devices - Manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum, or magnetic)

Patient handling/transfer device/rescue stretcher (online application form description - Lifting devices - Manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum, or magnetic)

Pedestrian crossing gates (online application form description - Traffic management tools – bollards, cones, barricades, convex mirrors)

Personal duress alarms

Platforms/steps (portable)

Platform – adjustable loading (online application form description - Work platforms – elevated/temporary)

Power take-off guards for tractors

Powered Air Purifying Respirator AS/NZS1716 compliant

Protective structure for falling objects

Radios (2-way; VHF-UHF) (online application form description - Two-way (2-way) radios, EPIRBs, satellite phone)

Ramps (access) (online application form description - Traffic management tools – bollards, cones, barricades, convex mirrors)

Recovery cable (compliant with AS 3569) (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Recovery chains (compliant with AS 3569) (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Recovery dampeners (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Recovery dampers (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Recovery kit (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Recovery point eg. header hitch plates or safety hitches or tow points (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Recovery straps (compliant with AS 1353.1 & AS 1353.2) (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Recovery strops (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Recovery winch (compliant with AS 3569) (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Recovery wire rope (compliant with AS 3569) (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Restraint supports to mount tools, cords, leads and hoses to prevent trip hazards 

Reversing cameras – (standalone only-not including dash cams) (online application form description - reversing cameras)

Rollover protective structures (ROPs) for tractors

Runover protective devices (tractors)

Safety bar for wool press

Scaffolding (online application form description - Scaffolding, fencing (portable and lightweight))

Shackles (compliant with AS 2741) (for bogged vehicle/machinery recovery) (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Silo safety lid

Site security devices and systems* excludes Closed Circuit TV (CCTV) - Commercial premises only *For example:

Soft shackles (for bogged vehicle/machinery recovery) (online application form description - Vehicle recovery kits/equipment including cables, chains, dampeners, dampers, kits, hitches, straps, stops, winches, wire ropes, and shackles)

Spill kits containment system (online application form description - Bunding or spill kit containment systems)

Stair treads or capping (online application form description - Anti-slip treading or matting, safe check plates, treading or capping)

Stair nosing

Steps/stairs (retractable)

Sunshade protection for rural and outdoor work areas

Tailgate lifter (online application form description - Lifting devices - manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum or magnetic)

Traffic management tools – bollards, cones, barricades, convex mirrors

Trolleys (online application form description - Lifting devices - Manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum, or magnetic)

Vacuum cleaners (industrial backpack only) (online application form description - Backpack industrial equipment)

Vacuum cleaner - asbestos and hazardous dust with dust class level ‘H’ or “M” filter and compliant with AS 60335.2.69:2003

Vacuum lifters (online application form description - Lifting devices - Manual, mechanical, hydraulic, vacuum, or magnetic)

Ventilation, exhaust or extraction systems (online application form description - Air filtering systems for machinery e.g. exhaust extraction system for a silica dust vacuum or a ventilation/exhaust system for hazardous chemicals (not air purifiers))

Visual warning and signal system

Walkway (elevated) - pedestrian safety (online application form description - Traffic management tools – bollards, cones, barricades, convex mirrors)

Wire mesh secured enclosure for chemical storage 

Work platforms – elevated/temporary

Related information

• Apply for the $1,000 SafeWork small business rebate
• Small business rebate terms and conditions

Log In | Register

• Physical activity for older adults
• How to get started and keep going
• Set your goals and celebrate success
• Dealing with barriers and setbacks
• Healthy eating for older adults
• Staying active and healthy at home
• Healthy Ageing Online Learning
• Health and Lifestyle Checklist

Preventing falls for older adults

• Staying active and on your feet
• Home Safety Checklist
• If you have a fall
• Frequently asked questions
• Useful contacts for healthy ageing

Request your Free Printed Copy of the Staying Active and on your Feet Booklet

Preventing falls

Falls can be common, with 1 in 3 people over the age of 65 falling each year. A fall can lead to injury, loss of confidence and reduced independence.

But falls are not an inevitable part of getting older. There are many things you can do to reduce your risk of falling.

Our Staying Active and On Your Feet booklet is full of ideas and information about ways to reduce your risk of falling. People living in NSW can get a free printed copy posted to them. You can also download a copy .

You can learn more about preventing falls by completing our module on falls prevention .

You can ask your general practitioner (GP) or health professional if you need help with fall prevention.

Here are some ideas you might like to get started with:

Build your confidence

About half of older adults are concerned about falling. You might fear falling if you’ve had a fall yourself, know someone who has, or feel less steady on your feet than you used to.

A fear of falling can be helpful as it may protect you from undertaking risky activities. However, if you are too worried about falling, you may be less confident in your ability to balance. This can cause you to be more cautious, which can increase your risk of falling and be harmful to your health and wellbeing.

A fear of falling can also affect your wellbeing if it stops you doing things you enjoy, such as walking, shopping or visiting friends. This can stop you getting the movement your joints and muscles need to stay healthy and keep you steady.

If you’re worried about falling when doing a certain activity, you could try:

• doing it the first few times with someone you trust – like a friend or family member -before doing it on your own
• thinking of ways to make the activity safer, such as putting a handrail in beside your bath
• asking for help.

If you don’t feel as confident on your feet anymore, there are still ways you can stay active. You can search the exercise directory to find a program in your area – look for programs with the “FP” fall prevention symbol. This means the program is designed to help reduce the risk of having a fall.

You can also learn more about getting started with physical activity  in older adulthood.

Just remember, being more confident and less fearful can reduce your risk of falling.

Exercise to help you stay strong and steady

As we get older, we tend to lose strength and balance. This can increase the risk of tripping over or having a fall.

Doing exercises to improve your strength and balance can reduce falls by 23%. When you do exercises that really challenge your balance, this can reduce falls even more (as much as 40%).

To support your health and wellbeing, aim to meet the physical activity guidelines for older adults , which recommend doing:

• activities to improve your balance on most days and
• strength building exercises 2 to 3 days per week.

Look for safe exercises which also get more challenging over time. For example, you could:

• do strength and balance exercises at home (such as these simple exercise circuits )
• join a local falls prevention or strength and balance exercise class
• find a Tai Chi program in your area (Tai Chi has been shown to improve balance)
• try lawn bowls, croquet, Pilates or yoga.

For the best results to prevent falls, aim to do at least 2 hours of these types of exercises per week (or 20 minutes a day) for 6 months or more.

If you’re just getting started with physical activity or have any concerns about your health, talk to your GP before you begin.

For support to prevent falls, including gentle group exercise to improve your balance, search the exercise directory to find a falls prevention program in your area.

Make your home and surrounds safer

Most falls happen at home, so making your home as safe as possible can help reduce your risk of falling.

Some ways to do this include:

• removing things you could trip over, such as loose mats, rugs and clutter
• making sure you have good lighting, especially on stairs and at night
• installing railings and grab bars
• making sure your shoes fit well, are supportive, and have soles that aren’t slippery
• using a chair for bathing and making sure your toilet seat is high enough to get on and off easily
• making sure your floors aren’t slippery
• paying attention to what you’re doing and not rushing.

For more ways to make your surrounds safer, see our home safety checklist .

Look after your health to lower falls risk

Some health problems can make people more likely to have a fall. This includes health problems such as arthritis, stroke and diabetes. Some medicines can also increase your risk of falling.

You can use our checklist to see if your health or lifestyle may be affecting your risk of having a fall.

Here are some things you can do to help lower the chance of a health issue contributing to a fall.

Get your vision checked

As we get older, we might experience changes to our vision. We may not see as clearly. We also might be less able to judge distance and depth and adjust to sudden light changes. This can affect our ability to see the edges of steps and stairs.

Wearing bifocal, trifocal or multifocal glasses can also make a fall more likely.

You can help reduce your risk by:

• getting your eyes checked by an optometrist or ophthalmologist annually
• making sure you have good lighting in your home
• giving your eyes time to adjust to light changes, and when you get new glasses or have any eye treatments
• wearing sunglasses and a hat to reduce glare when outdoors
• getting a separate pair of glasses for walking outdoors.

Order a free copy or download our Staying Active and On Your Feet booklet . You can also download our factsheet on vision .

Get your medications checked

Some prescription and over-the-counter medicines can increase your risk of falls. Some medications may make you feel drowsy, unsteady, dizzy or confused.

The medicines that make falls more likely may include those for:

• sleeping difficulties.

People who take 4 or more medicines a day are at particularly high risk of falling.

You can ask your doctor or pharmacist about how your medicines may be affecting your risk of falling.

Order or download our Staying Active and On Your Feet booklet .

Look after your feet

Healthy feet and well-fitted footwear help reduce your chances of tripping and falling.

As we get older, our feet can change shape and lose some feeling and flexibility. This can change the way we walk and affect our balance. You can help your feet stay healthy by keeping your toenails trimmed and getting treatment for bunions, corns and calluses.

See your doctor or a podiatrist if you have painful or swollen feet or need help to look after your feet.

The safest footwear has:

• thin firm soles with a tread
• low square heels
• a firm support around the heel.

Consider a walking aid

Using a walking aid (like a walking stick or walking frame) may help you to walk more easily and safely.

You can talk to a health professional such as a physiotherapist or occupational therapist about whether this might help you. They can help you get a walking aid that’s right for you and learn how to use it safely and confidently.

If you use a walking aid at home, you might need to rearrange your furniture so you can move around easily.

Find an Exercise Program

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Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2023) Falls , AIHW, Australian Government, accessed 29 August 2024.

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2023). Falls. Retrieved from https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/falls

Falls. Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 06 July 2023, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/falls

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Falls [Internet]. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, 2023 [cited 2024 Aug. 29]. Available from: https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/falls

Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) 2023, Falls , viewed 29 August 2024, https://www.aihw.gov.au/reports/injury/falls

Get citations as an Endnote file : Endnote

This article is part of Injury in Australia

These articles each focus on a major cause of injury resulting in hospitalisation or death in Australia.

Injuries can be classified by cause once hospital staff or coroners discover how the person was injured. In some cases they are not sure if it was accidental or deliberate, in which case the record will show undetermined intent .

Each cause will be updated periodically throughout the year.

Unintentional causes

• Accidental poisoning
• Choking and suffocation
• Contact with living things
• Contact with objects
• Drowning and submersion
• Electricity and air pressure
• Falls (this page)
• Forces of nature
• Other unintentional causes
• Overexertion
• Thermal causes
• Transport accidents

Intentional causes

• Assault and homicide
• Intentional self-harm and suicide
• Undetermined intent

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Falls are Australia’s leading cause of injury hospitalisation and death, representing 43% of injury hospitalisations and 42% of injury deaths.

Falls requiring hospitalisation occur more frequently in adults with increasing age, and are most likely to occur in the home.

Over half of injury hospitalisations from falls involve a fracture.

Falls resulted in:

910  per 100,000 population

23  per 100,000 population

This page summarises data on unintentional falls. Intentional injuries and deaths are included under Assault and homicide or Self-harm and suicide .

Causes of hospitalisation

In 2021–22:

• Over half of all falls leading to hospitalisation happened on a single-level surface (for example, by slipping or due to a collision)
• 7% of falls leading to hospitalisation involved stairs or steps (Table 1).
• Rates are crude per 100,000 population, calculated using estimated resident population as at 31 December of the relevant year. Percentages may not total 100 due to rounding.
• Codes in brackets refer to the ICD-10-AM (11th edition) external cause codes (ACCD 2019).

Source: AIHW National Hospital Morbidity Database.

For more detail, see Data tables B11–12 .

Causes of death

It is often impossible to determine the exact type of fall which contributed to a death. In 2020–21, the type of fall was not specified in 86% of injury-related deaths. For deaths where the type of fall was specified, slipping, tripping or stumbling on same level was the most commonly reported cause.

Caution should be used when interpreting this data due to the large proportion of unspecified falls (Table 2).

• Codes in brackets refer to the ICD-10 external cause codes (WHO 2011).

Source: AIHW National Mortality Database.

For more detail, see  Data tables E16–18 .

Trends over time

The age-standardised rate of hospitalisations due to falls decreased by an annual average of 0.8% over the period from 2017–18 and 2021–22. Volatility from 2019–20 onwards is most likely related to disruptions caused by COVID-19.

Over the period from 2012–13 to 2016–17 there was an average annual increase of 3.1% for the age-standardised rate of hospitalisations.

There is a break in the time series for hospitalisations between 2016–17 and 2017–18, due to a change in data collection methods (see the technical notes for details).

For deaths due to falls, the age-standardised rate for 2020–21 was 5.4% higher than a year earlier. The average annual increase in rate between 2011–12 and 2020–21 was 1.7% (Figure 1).

Figure 1: Fall injury hospitalisations and deaths, by sex and year

The graph features 2 matching sets of 3 lines on separate tabs, 1 tab for hospitalisations and 1 for deaths. The 3 lines represent the trend for males, persons and females from 2011–12 to 2020–21. The reader can choose to display rate per 100,000 population or number.]

For more detail, see Data tables C1–3 and F1–4 .

Seasonal differences

Hospital admissions for fall injuries remain relatively consistent over the year. Notable dips in admissions in March 2020 and January 2022 are probably related to disruptions caused by COVID-19 (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Seasonal differences in fall injury hospitalisations, 2019–20 to 2021–22

Notes 1. Admission counts have been standardised into two 15-day periods per month. 2. A scale-up factor has been applied to June admissions to account for cases not yet separated.

Age and sex differences

People aged 65 and over were more likely to be hospitalised or die from a fall compared with other life-stages.

Falls is one of the few causes of injury where females outnumber males, in both hospitalisations and deaths.

For injuries caused by falls:

• The risk of hospitalisation increases with increasing age above 65 years. There were 16,100 hospitalisations per 100,000 for people aged 95 and over in 2021–22 (see Data tables A1–3  for 5-year age groups)
• 60% of hospitalisations in 2021–22 and 94% of deaths in 2020–21 were for people aged 65 and over (Figure 3)
• 56% of hospitalisations in 2021–22 and 53% of deaths in 2020–21 were for females.

Figure 3: Fall injury hospitalisations and deaths, by age group and sex

The graph features 2 matching column graphs on separate tabs, 1 for hospitalisations and 1 for deaths. The columns represent sex within 6 life-stage age groups. For each age group, the reader can choose to display either rate per 100,000 population or number. The default displays males and females, or the reader can choose to display persons.

Different age groups tend to engage in different activities, leading to a different pattern of fall types for each age group. For hospitalisations from falls in 2021–22:

• Furniture was involved in 27% of cases among  children aged 0–4
• Playing equipment was involved in 24% of cases among children aged 5–14
• Slips, trips, and stumbles become responsible for a greater proportion of cases as people age (Table 3).

Notes 1.   Percentages may not add to 100 due to rounding. 2.   Codes in brackets refer to the ICD-10-AM (11th edition) external cause codes (ACCD 2019). Source : AIHW National Hospital Morbidity Database.

There are many ways that the severity, or seriousness, of an injury can be measured. Some of the ways to measure the severity of hospitalised injuries are:

• number of days in hospital
• time in an intensive care unit (ICU)
• time on a ventilator
• in-hospital deaths.

The average number of days in hospital, and the rate of in-hospital deaths for falls were both greater than for all hospitalised injuries in 2021–22. However, the percentage of falls that included time in ICU and the percentage requiring continuous ventilatory support were both lower than for all injuries (Table 4).

Note: Average number of days in hospital (length of stay) includes hospitalisations that are transfers from 1 hospital to another or transfers from 1 admitted care type to another within the same hospital, except where care involves rehabilitation procedures.

For more detail, see  Data tables A13–A15 .

Nature of injuries sustained

In 2021–22, the head and neck were the body parts most often identified as the main site of injury in fall hospitalisations (Figure 4). In part, this may reflect the inherently serious nature of head and neck injuries.

Figure 4: Fall hospitalisations by main body part injured, 2020–21

The graph features an outline of a person with labels for body parts related to hospitalisation due to a fall. Injuries to the head and neck related to the most falls hospitalisations while the ankle and foot involved the fewest.

Notes: Body part relates to the main (principal) reason for hospitalisation. Number and percentage of injuries classified as Other, multiple and incompletely specified body regions  or  Injuries not described in terms of body region  not shown – see Data table A11 .

Fractures were the most common type of injury sustained for both males and females who were hospitalised due to a fall (Figure 5).

Figure 5: Fall injury hospitalisations, by type of injury, by sex, 2021–22

Bar graph showing type of injury sustained by category and by sex. Fracture was the most common for both males and females, followed by open wound. The reader can select to display either the crude rate per 100,000 population or the number of cases. The default display shows data for males and females, and the reader can also select to display for persons.

For more detail, see Data tables A10 and A11 .

The type of injury sustained was different for males and females hospitalised for falls. Fractures, and superficial injuries were more common for females than males. Soft tissue, open wound, intracranial, and internal organ injuries were more common for males.

There were also differences in the body part injured. Hip and lower limb injuries, and shoulder and upper limb injuries were more common for females than males. Wrist and hand injuries were more common for males.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

Among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, injuries caused by falls led to:

• 7,500 hospitalisations in 2021–22 (Table 5)
• 54 deaths in 2020–21 (Table 6)

Rates of hospitalisation for injuries caused by falls were highest among people aged 65 and over (Figure 5).

Note: Rates are crude per 100,000 population. Source: AIHW National Hospital Morbidity Database.

• Rates are crude per 100,000 population.
• Deaths data only includes data for New South Wales, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia, and the Northern Territory.

For more detail, see  Data tables A4–5 and D4–5 .

Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians

In 2021–22, Indigenous Australians were 1.4 times as likely as non-Indigenous Australians to be hospitalised due to a fall injury, after adjusting for differences in population age (Table 7). This trend was reversed for deaths in 2020–21, where non-Indigenous Australians were 1.1 times as likely to die due to a fall than Indigenous Australians, although readers are advised to use these data with caution due to low numbers (Table 8).

• Rates are age-standardised to the 2001 Australian population (per 100,000).
• ‘Non-Indigenous Australians’ excludes cases where Indigenous status is missing or not stated.

For more detail, see  Data table A6 and D6 .

The rate of falls hospitalisations was highest among both Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians aged 65 years and over (Figure 6). Deaths data are not presented because of small numbers.

Figure 6: Fall injury hospitalisations by Indigenous status, by age group and sex, 2021–22

Column graph representing hospitalisation data for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians by 6 life-stage age groups. The reader can choose to display rate per 100,000 population or number. The reader can also choose to display data for persons, males or females.

For more detail, see Data tables A4–A6 and D4–D8 .

Hospitalisations due to falls showed a slight difference from most other causes of injury when examined by remoteness of usual residence. For falls, while the highest rate continues to be in the most remote areas, the lowest rate was in Inner regional areas. For most causes, the most remote areas had the highest rates, and major cities had the lowest.

In 2021–22, people living in Very remote areas were 1.4 times as likely to be hospitalised due to a fall as people living in  Inner regional areas (Table 9).

Note: Rates are age-standardised per 100,000 population.

The pattern of deaths from falls according to remoteness of usual residence was also different to that of most other causes of injury. In 2020–21, people living in  Inner regional areas had the highest rate and were 1.2 times as likely to die due to a fall than people living in  Major cities (Table 10).

n.p. not publishable because of small numbers, confidentiality or other concerns about the quality of the data. Note: Rates are age-standardised per 100,000 population. Source: AIHW National Mortality Database.

For more detail, see Data tables A9 and D9 .

The highest rate of fall injury hospitalisations was among the 65 and over age group living in  Major cities (Figure 7).

Deaths data are not presented here because of small numbers.

Figure 7: Fall injury hospitalisations by remoteness, by age group and sex, 2021–22

This column graph shows hospitalisations for each of the 5 remoteness categories by 6 life-stage age groups. For each age group, the reader can choose to display rate per 100,000 population or number. The reader can also choose to display data for persons, males or females.

For more detail, see Data tables A7–A9 and D9–10 .

For information on how statistics are calculated by remoteness, see the technical notes .

Data details

• Technical notes : how the data were calculated
• Data tables : download full data tables

The following are recent publications that include information on falls. See  Reports for older publications.

• Falls in older Australians 2019–20: hospitalisations and deaths among people aged 65 and over
• Trends in hospitalised injury due to falls in older people, 2007–08 to 2016–17
• Sports injury hospitalisations in Australia, 2019–20
• The first year of COVID-19 in Australia: direct and indirect health effects
• Interfaces between the aged care and health systems in Australia – first results (2016–17 data)
• Interfaces between the aged care and health systems in Australia – movements between aged care and hospital, 2016–17
• Spinal cord injury, Australia, 2016–17
• Hip fracture incidence and hospitalisations in Australia, 2015–16
• Hospitalised injury and socioeconomic influence in Australia, 2015–16 
• Indigenous injury deaths, 2011–12 to 2015–16
• Injury mortality and socioeconomic influence in Australia, 2015–16

ACCD (Australian Consortium for Classification Development) 2019. The international statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, 10th revision, Australian modification (ICD-10-AM), 11th ed. Tabular list of diseases and alphabetic index of diseases. Adelaide: Independent Hospital Pricing Authority (IHPA), Lane Publishing.

WHO (World Health Organization) 2016. International statistical classification of diseases and related health problems, tenth revision, 5th ed. Geneva: WHO.

Preventative Health resources from the Australian Government

Trusted Health Advice | healthdirect

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Slips, trips and falls

Slips, trips and falls result in tens of thousands of injuries every year in Australian workplaces.

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Public Liability

Guide to Making Slip, Trip and Fall Claims

By LHD Lawyers

We all have a right to feel saf e in public places, b ut unfortunately accidents can happen. Slips and falls in settings like supermarkets, shopping centres and rental properties can cause serious injuries, sometimes requiring surgery and rehabilitation. 

Unexpected hazards – such as a spill on a supermarket floor – create conditions where a slip, trip and fall can occur. If you’ve been injured or suffered a loss while in a public space due to someone else’s negligence, you might be able to make a slip, trip and fall injury claim . 

In this guide we’ll provide answers to some of the most commonly-asked questions about these types of claims, including:

What are slips, trips and falls?

Where do the most slips, trips and falls happen.

• What are the most common injuries?
• Can you get compensation for slips and falls?
• What can you claim for if injured in an accident?
• What is the compensation process?
• How long do you have to report a slip and fall?
• How long do settlements take?
• What is the average compensation for these types of claims?
• Who pays the compensation?

The phrase ‘ slip, trip and fall ’ refers to any kind of incident where a person sustains an injury on someone else’s property from slipping, tripping or falling because of a hazard. There are many types of settings where these incidents can occur, with three of the most common places being supermarkets, shopping centres and rental properties. 

For slip and fall incidents, the hazard is usually a slippery floor surface (often a spillage on a tiled floor), and for trip and fall incidents, the hazard is often created by an uneven floor surface or an object that causes the person to lose their footing. 

In public places, organisations or certain individuals are legally obligated to provide a duty of care for members of the public; the term for this is ‘public liability’. If a visitor to a public setting sustains an injury because of unsafe conditions, the organisation or individual in charge (such as, in the case of a rental property, the building manager or property owner) is liable if it can be proven that there was a breach of duty (i.e. they were found to be negligent).

If you’ve been injured from slipping or tripping in a public location, and you believe that the person responsible for keeping the space free from hazards breached their duty of care, you might be able to seek compensation for your losses.

Common causes of slips, trips and falls include wet/slippery floors, uneven surfaces, cluttered walkways and poor lighting. These can cause injuries and even death, so it’s an issue that should be treated extremely seriously. 

Here are some of the public places where slips, trips and falls frequently happen:

Shops and supermarkets

• Woolworths 
• Westfield shopping centres

Cafes, restaurants, fast food chains and bars

• Hungry Jacks 

Sport and recreation facilities

• Water parks 
• Sporting grounds

Rental properties

• Office buildings
• Residential unit blocks

Other public areas

• Commercial buildings 
• Schoolyards
• Cruise ships 

Keep reading to find out what to do if you fall in a store, and to learn more about suing the council after a fall .

What are the most common slip and fall injuries ?

Here are some of the most common types of injuries that can happen from slipping, tripping and falling in a supermarket, shopping centre or rental property:

• Broken bones and fractures: The most common places for bone breakages and fractures from falls are the wrists, arms, ankles and hips.
• Muscle sprains: These sorts of injuries occur when muscles are suddenly stretched, which can lead to strains and tears. Sprains are most likely to occur in the knees, ankles, wrists and shoulders (rotator cuffs). If left untreated, these types of injuries can sometimes lead to more serious hip and back problems.
• Carpal tunnel syndrome: Trauma to the wrist can lead to carpal tunnel syndrome, which can occur when there’s excessive pressure on the median nerve. Symptoms include tingling, numbness or weakness in your hand and fingers. 
• Cuts and bruises: Slipping and falling on a hard surface can cause abrasions, bruises and cuts.
• Back injuries: Herniated discs and damage to the spinal cord can occur through slip, trip and fall accidents. In the worst cases, these injuries can cause paralysis or even death. 
• Head injuries: These can range from mild concussions to more severe brain injuries. 

What to do if you’re involved in a slip, trip and fall accident

If you’re involved in a slip, trip and fall accident, the first thing you need to do is seek medical attention. Even if the injury seems minor, you should see a doctor to get their professional assessment. Although it might seem like you’ve twisted your ankle or sprained your wrist, the nature of your injury might be more serious, and ignoring it may make the problem worse. In some circumstances, an injury left untreated can lead to permanent impairment.

It’s also important that you report the accident to the person or organisation who is in charge (and possibly also to the police) so there’s a record of the incident. 

Can you sue for a slip and fall to gain compensation?

There are certain situations in which yes, you can claim compensation for these types of accidents. To be eligible for a public liability claim, you need to be able to prove that the person responsible for managing the location (such as the building owner/manager) did not take action to remove the hazard. 

If you’re planning to sue for such an accident, you should seek advice from a legal professional who specialises in slip and fall claims. Your lawyer will be able to guide you through the process of making a personal injury claim by providing liability legislation information and helping you collect evidence to substantiate your claim.

Say, for example, you slipped on a wet floor at a supermarket and injured your back. If the store manager was aware that the floor was wet (perhaps they knew that the air conditioner was leaking) and they didn’t do anything to remove the hazard or warn customers, you would have a case to claim slips, trips and falls compensation . An experienced lawyer will be able to assess your situation, and tell you whether you have a strong case. 

What can you claim for if injured in a slip, trip and fall accident?

People make slips trips and falls claims to get compensated for losses and expenses associated with their injury. If you’ve fallen in a supermarket, shopping centre or rental property, these are some of the things you might be able to claim compensation for:

• Loss of earnings/income/wages 
• Medical bills/expenses 
• Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life
• Future losses (such as, for instance, the inability to earn an income in the future)
• Home modification 
• Domestic assistance 
• Care and assistance 
• Injury and Rehabilitation 
• Operations 
• Time off work 
• Travel expenses 

This list outlines some of the expenses that people who’ve sustained injuries from slips and falls commonly claim for. If you’d like more detailed information about compensation, get in touch with a slips, trips and claims lawyer to discuss your case. 

What is the slip, trip and fall compensation process?

To lodge a public liability claim, you’ll need to be able to prove that the individual or organisation at fault owed you a duty of care, and they failed to take this reasonable care. It will also need to be proven that the person or organisation in charge took no action to prevent the circumstances that lead to your accident, and that you suffered losses as a result. (It could also be possible that the person failed to follow proper safety procedures).

Here are some examples of documentation that might be needed to support your claim:

• Accident report 
• Photographs 
• Receipts or records of medical expenses
• Witness reports/statements
• CCTV footage
• Cleaning records 
• Thorough records of rehabilitation expenses

Your decision to take court action will depend on a number of factors, including the severity of your injuries and the effect they’ve had on your quality of life. LHD lawyers have a No Win No Fee policy, which means that if you don’t win your case, you don’t have to pay legal fees. This can take the stress out of making a slip, trip and fall compensation claim. 

How long do you have to report a slip and fall ?

Regardless of whether you fell in a supermarket, shopping centre or rental property, there are time limits for reporting a slip and fall, and for making a claim for compensation. It’s important to report the accident as soon as you can, so that there is an official record of the event – this will improve your chances of proving liability. If you’re unable to report the accident immediately because you’re too injured, report it as soon as possible afterwards.

In Australia, slip and fall claims can be made up to three years from the date of the accident. (In certain cases, this can also be three years from the date where you first realised you had a significant injury). However, it’s usually always best to make a claim sooner rather than later. 

How long do slip and fall cases take to settle ?

There are numerous factors that can have an impact on how long it will take to settle the claim. In some circumstances it’s possible to agree to an out-of-court settlement, which usually means the situation can be resolved sooner. 

Slip and fall cases in supermarkets and shopping centres generally involve large entities that have established protocols for handling incidents like these. This could potentially lead to a more streamlined process, and faster settlement negotiations. 

On the other hand, slip and fall cases in rental properties can involve factors such as landlord-tenant relationships and premises liability. These cases may require additional investigation to determine responsibility and liability, which can prolong the settlement process.

Here are some variables that can affect the time until settlement:

• Where the accident occurred 
• Whether or not the accident was immediately reported
• The amount of time before you contacted a lawyer
• The length of time it took for your injury to reach a stable condition
• The extent to which your ability to work has been affected
• The type of medical care you required 

Since every case is unique, it’s not possible to provide an exact timeframe. On average, these sorts of cases take several months to a few years to be resolved. 

Guide to slip, trip and fall payouts

If successful, this settlement will compensate you for your injuries. In cases where the injury is minor and a quick recovery is made, a settlement is usually made quickly. In cases where the injury is quite substantial and persistent, the claim will often take longer to settle in order to determine the true long-term nature of your injuries and ensure that you receive a fair amount of compensation accordingly.

What is the average compensation for a slip and fall?

Compensation amounts are calculated based on the nature and extent of your injuries. Slip and fall compensation amounts depend on the extent of your injuries and the expenses you’ve incurred. They tend to range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars.

Because each case is different, it’s not possible to provide an average Australian slip and fall settlement . Payout amounts are tailored to compensate the claimant for the losses they’ve sustained, as well as any ongoing support required. 

The average payout can vary depending on where the incident occurred, such as supermarkets, shopping centres, or rental properties. However, it’s important to note that the specific circumstances of each case will have a more significant impact on the payout amount rather than the location itself.

Who pays the slip, trip and fall compensation?

This varies depending on where the injury occurred and who was at fault. If you were injured in a commercial location (like a supermarket or shopping centre) and your claim is successful, then the commercial entity will be liable to pay.

In a location such as a rental property, the building management or governing body responsible for the area’s upkeep may be held responsible for paying your compensation.

Example of a successful slip, trip and fall compensation claim

Our elderly client sustained back and hip injuries in an incident where they tripped and fell at a large retail store. Our client’s injuries were assessed by the Medical Panel as not meeting the threshold required to claim pain and suffering damages under the Wrongs Act. This decision was appealed to the Supreme Court, and we were successful in overturning the Medical Panel decision, paving the way for the resolution of the claim for pain and suffering damages.

Visit our public liability payout hub to read more examples of slip and fall cases won .

Make a public liability claim today

If you think you have a public liability claim to make, LHD Lawyers can help everyday Australians receive the benefits they’re entitled to. We are so sure of our abilities to win your case that we stand firmly by our No Win No Fee policy: if we don’t win, you don’t pay. Call 1800 455 725 for a no-obligation consultation about your case.

Author: Paul Singh

Original Publish Date: August 7, 2023

Last Updated: March 20, 2024

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Other Insights you may be interested in

Guide to motor vehicle accident compensation in tasmania, guide to workers compensation in tasmania.

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Slip & Fall

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1. Do this now

• Report your accident to the property owner or a staff member
• Ask for the property's accident book (if they have one) and record the details of your accident
• Get the names and addresses of any witnesses
• Take photographs of the area in which the accident happened

2. Do this later

• After the accident, contact us as soon as possible to discuss whether you should make a public liability claim. There are strict time limits. In many cases, you must start a claim within three years of your accident. Contact us for a free claim assessment.

We'll catch you when you slip and fall

We all depend on the safety of the public places we visit. Most of the time, we don't even consider injury risks when we're out and about. But now and again, things go wrong: accidents happen. Injuries result. And sometimes, they cause us loss. Loss of income. Medical expenses. Even the loss of enjoyment of life.

These injuries can have dire consequences and also affect families and loved ones. A slip and fall claim can help. While nothing can take away the pain and inconvenience of injury, we can help you get your life back on track.

Contact us for legal support.

What is a slip and fall claim?

A slip and fall claim is a legal compensation claim . You may decide to make a slip and fall claim if you were injured in a public place and it happened because of the property owner or occupier's negligence . You must be able to show that:

1.     The property owner or occupier owed you a duty of care, and

2.     They breached their duty; and

3.     You experienced loss because you suffered an injury caused by the breach

Loss can be financial (for example, loss of income or medical expenses) or non-financial (for example, loss of enjoyment of life).

Slip and fall claims are sometimes referred to as slip, trip and fall claims or personal injury claims .

What is a public liability claim?

A public liability claim is another name for a slip and fall claim.

Business operators, property owners and other organisations are legally required to exercise reasonable care for your safety while you're on their property . They must ensure that:

·         Their properties are reasonably maintained

·         Their employees are appropriately trained

·         They have policies and procedures in place to provide for your safety

Frequently Asked Questions

Negligence is a legal term. In slip and fall claims, negligence means that a person or organisation failed to take reasonable care to avoid causing an injury.

To make a slip and fall claim, you must be able to show that the property owner or occupier caused your injury by their negligence, including that:

• They owed you a duty of care to provide a reasonable standard of safety
• They breached this duty
• You suffered injury or loss as a result, which the landowner or occupier could have reasonably predicted

For example, let's say you visit a shopping centre. Water is spilled on the floor near the food court. If the shopping centre management doesn't act quickly to clean it up, you may slip, fall and injure yourself if you walk through the water without realising it's there. Arguably, management has breached its duty to provide a safe public area. 

Contact us to learn more about negligence in slip and fall claims .

As soon as possible after your injury, you should:

·         Report your accident to the property landlord or occupier

·         If possible, record the details of your accident in the property's accident book (if one exists)

·         Collect the names and addresses of any witnesses

·         Photograph the scene of the accident   

Then get in touch with us for a free claim assessment. Again, we recommend doing this as soon as possible because most slip and fall claims have a time limit . Often, it's three years from the date of the injury . If you haven't claimed within the time limit, there's a high risk that you won't be allowed to claim at all .

When you seek our help, we'll look at all the information, consider your circumstances and give you a thorough evaluation of your chances of success. We'll also discuss all the steps in the claims process and give you appropriate advice, including whether your circumstances are suitable for a no-win-no-fee claim . 

Contact us to learn more about how to make a slip and fall claim.

You can claim different types of compensation , including:

·         Loss of present and future income

·         Present and future medical expenses

·         Present and future care requirements

·         Pain and suffering

However, for each type of compensation, you must be able to show evidence to prove your loss . Evidence can take many forms and may include:

·         Accident records

·         Photographs of the accident site

·         Photographs of your injuries

·         Medical records

·         Doctors' reports

·         Witness statements and contact details

·         Invoices or receipts for any injury-related medical expenses (or other expenses)

·         Proof of income, including wage records and tax returns

·         Emails, letters, or other communications between you and the property owner or occupier

Working out what to include and identifying every relevant record can be a complex task, so it's best to seek legal advice from the beginning of your claim.

When you make a slip and fall claim, you are seeking compensation. Compensation is money paid to you because you were injured and suffered loss. It is frequently paid as a single lump-sum payment .

The amount of compensation that you can claim will depend on many things, including:

• The type of injury
• The seriousness of the injury
• Whether the laws of your State or Territory have any special compensation requirements
• Whether you did anything to contribute to the cause of your injury (this is known as contributory negligence )

You may be able to claim compensation for:

• Loss of income
• Loss of future income
• Medical expenses
• Future medical expenses
• Future care
• Pain and suffering

Contact us to find out more about compensation for slip and fall claims .

Slip and fall injuries can happen in a range of situations, for example:

·         At shopping centres

·         On footpaths

·         Faulty products  

·         Sporting accidents

·         Schoolyard or classroom accidents 

·         Injuries at residential rental properties

·         Dog attacks

Slip and fall injuries often happen in supermarkets. Claims include:

·         Woolworths compensation claims

·         Coles compensation claims

·         Aldi compensation claims

·         IGA compensation claims

From the first claim assessment to finalising your claim, we'll work with you to ensure you're supported and informed about the process . We understand that your injury has already caused significant stress and uncertainty. We can help with clear communication, ongoing support and excellent advice.   

Contact us for legal support with no slip-ups.

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• Aldi Compensation Claims
• Woolworths Compensation Claims
• Coles Compensation Claims
• IGA Compensation Claims
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• Westfield Compensation Claims

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