Our guide to Public Liability

So, what is public liability?

Public liability is an employer's or company's liability towards a member of the public when an accident occurs on their premises or somewhere they're responsible for. In these instances, a member of the public could be:

• customers
• clients
• people watching or attending events and activities a business organises
• contractors
• people passing by a business
• other third parties

Public liability insurance is not a legal requirement but something an employer may consider taking out. It protects them against the potential costs of any public liability claim against them. Additionally, some potential clients may not work with a business if they do not have public liability insurance. 

However, in the case of an employer who owns a horse riding establishment, they have a legal obligation to have public liability insurance. 

Is it the same thing as Occupiers Liability?

Occupier's liability is not the same thing as public liability. Occupier's Liability is the liability of the occupier of the premises if someone visits the premises and has an accident or injury. They could make an occupier's liability claim against the occupier as a result. It's important to understand that the occupier is not necessarily the owner of the building.

What does Public Liability cover?

Public liability covers an employer for the extra costs when a member of the public makes a compensation claim against them for some form of harm they incur. 

It can cover, for example:

• Injury claims
• illness
• damage to property
• death

Public liability can cover both an actual business premises as well as events and activities a business runs away from its usual site. 

The extra costs that public liability covers include:

• the cost to hire a solicitor
• the fee to settle the claim
• compensation the court orders you to pay

The compensation that public liability covers can include for the victims:

• property repairs
• property replacement
• medical bills
• lost income
• the other party's legal fees

When does Public Liability apply?

Public liability applies when a member of the public sues for the injury they believe was caused by the negligence of a company or business . It will only apply to certain businesses or companies, such as those that have contact with others not directly employed by them. It usually arises as a result of the negligence of the business owner.

Public liability may apply where, for example, a business owner:

• visits a client and accidentally spills coffee on their computer
• leaves their business floor is wet from cleaning and a contractor slips, breaking a bone

Examples of businesses which could incur public liability claims are:

• shops
• restaurants
• cafes
• hairdressers
• pubs
• businesses that manufacture
• businesses that sell
• where a business installs or repairs something
• takeaways

These are all businesses where the public may enter into the business. However, if employees, such as plumbers or electricians, from a business enters someone's homes they may also incur public liability.

Think you may be entitled to make a Public Liability claim? 

If you have an accident or suffer an injury at work, you may be entitled to make an accident in public claim.  Your employer has a legal duty to keep you safe and healthy at work. If they fail to do so and you have an accident at work as a result, it is your right to make a compensation claim. 

An accident in public can play havoc with your day-to-day life, which includes preventing you from working at all. This can result in a loss of earnings as well as poor quality of daily life, with costly adjustments potentially needed. It is, therefore, absolutely crucial that you get the compensation you deserve.

National Accident Helpline can let you know if you are entitled to make a compensation claim for your workplace accident. Call us on today. Alternatively, you can request that we give you a call back here or you may prefer to begin your claim online.