Stuart Cochran

In a recent request made by Slater and Gordon, the law firm found that the council had handled 2,109 public liability claims over the 25-month period from January 2024 to March 2026.

A total of £146,385 was paid towards 369 injury claims and 1,740 in damage claims.

The law firm has uncovered insights into local public liability claims, raising awareness that councils could be at fault when injuries occur in public premises. It is important for individuals who may have been affected by council negligence to explore their options and establish if they may be entitled to compensation.

Public liability injury claims can include surface defects, such as on pavements or road surfaces, premises defects and defective equipment that resulted in injury. For many people, there appears to be a lack of knowledge and understanding over who is at fault when such incidents occur in public places, from tripping over uneven pavements, to falling objects and obstructions.

In a major survey conducted by Quittance in 2024, it found that 9.5 per cent of claimants thought they were at least partly liable for their injuries. However, even if a claimant believes they are partly at fault, the claim can still be valid. Such lack of awareness and understanding could mean that people are missing out on support and compensation, despite being entitled to claim for it.

Stuart Cochran, principal lawyer and head of personal injury Scotland at Slater and Gordon, said: “It is the duty of all councils to prioritise the safety of the public amongst the public buildings and spaces they manage. However, as we have seen through our work as public liability solicitors, where unfortunate incidents happen.

“Sometimes, standards may miss the mark, and this can result in someone being injured whether through a trip, fall or an avoidable hazard. In these situations, it is important that affected individuals receive the support they need, and compensation can have a vital role towards helping with recovery.

“Remember, these incidents can happen to anyone. So, it is important to know your rights and what suitable steps you can take if experience injury in a public setting.”