We are personal injury solicitors specialising in claiming compensation for clients injured by broken glass. Catherine Smith has experience with all types of injury claims, and introduces our services in this short video.

Read more about broken glass injuries below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us a question or to get started making a claim.

Claim Compensation When Injured By Broken Glass

The dangers of broken glass were captured in the celebrity spotlight this Summer, when Wimbledon Champion and No.1 seed Serena Williams was forced to miss the US Open after cutting her foot on broken glass in a restaurant. Glass is ever-present in homes, workplaces, shops and vehicles across the country. From glass furniture to bottles, we are surrounded by glass the majority of the time. Glass is extremely breakable, and when broken poses a serious threat to those handling or treading on it. The abundance of broken glass on Britain's streets has even prompted the government to consider a return to the system of offering cash for bottles handed back to shops.

Who Is Responsible For Broken Glass?

Broken glass in public places and premises poses a particular threat to children, older people, and those who are partially sighted. The Occupiers Liability Act 1957 imposes a duty of care on those occupying public premises to protect their visitors from injury as far as reasonably possible. A clear example of this would be providing sufficient staff to ensure that broken glass is cleared up within a reasonable time-frame. Occupiers of public premises must also hold both public liability insurance and employers' liability insurance which will cover them in the event of 'no fault' injuries to members of the public and workers.

Injuries Caused By Broken Glass

A laceration caused by broken glass may be superficial, requiring a few stitches, or may be a deep cut that causes long-term damage to nerves, blood vessels and tendons. In the most serious of cases glass may sever the femoral artery, potentially resulting in a person bleeding to death. There is also a risk of infection from bacteria on shards of glass entering the blood stream. Broken glass injuries are often most severe when a person falls onto broken glass, or through a glass window. In both cases a falling person will naturally extend their arms to shield the face and body from the impact. As a person falls through the glass, deep cuts may be sustained by the hands, wrists and forearms. There may also be a 'rebound' effect, where the glass will shatter, but the impact causes a person to fall backwards away from the glass. This may result in the glass tearing off larger sections of skin. Injuries caused by broken glass may therefore be clean slice wounds, or more complicated jagged wounds. Severe glass injuries may cause scarring, permanent disfigurement and long-term disability. It is essential that those injured by broken glass through no fault of their own consult a specialist solicitor with experience of compensation claims in this area.

Where Do Broken Glass Injuries Occur?

As in the case of Serena Williams, many injuries caused by glass occur in restaurants, bars, and pubs where customers are served with bottles and glasses. This is especially the case in busy, crowded environments where people may collide with each other, or broken glass may pass unnoticed by staff. Employers have a duty to ensure that an adequate number of workers are on duty at all times to clear up broken glass, and prevent dangers to the public from arising. This also applies to supermarkets and stores where glass packaging may be broken and discarded in the aisles, at checkout, or outside in the car park. Broken glass in such areas poses a particular threat to young children who may be inclined to pick up the glass, or who will be playing on the floor. Occupiers of public premises must also ensure that glass doors and panels are clearly marked so that visitors do not collide with them. All glass should conform to the specifications of the British Standards Institute's safety standard BS6206, and glass installed in furnishings should be shatter-proof.

Claiming Compensation When Injured By Broken Glass

Provided your claim relates to a broken glass injury that has taken place in the last three years, Bartletts Solicitors can represent you on a No Win No Fee basis. You are assured of keeping 100% of any compensation awarded, with no deductions. In the event that your compensation claim is successful our fees are paid by the losing party to the claim. The vast majority of the claims we take on are successful, and where they are not we will charge you nothing.You therefore face no cost or risk when bringing a compensation claim. Using a Solicitor is different to using a Claims Management Company because you are protected by the rules of the Solicitors Regulation Authority which govern firms of solicitors.

Bartletts have been protecting and supporting clients for 150 years and enjoy a reputation nationwide for trusted legal advice. We are specialists in broken glass injury compensation claims having successfully represented both injured members of the public and employees. Call us today on 0800 158 2454 for a free consultation regarding your case or to begin a claim. You can also contact us for free legal advice via our Live Chat function.