Personal Injury Compensation Claims

Victims of Violence in Public

What you need to know

  • Being the victim of an act of violence from another person can cause serious physical injuries and lasting emotional harm. These incidents can happen in any public space where there are other members of the public at an area or event that is not managed properly.

  • According to Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, the owner of the premises owes a common duty of care to visitors. This means they need to take reasonable care to ensure that visitors are safe.

  • If you have been injured as a result of violence in a public place and the incident was not your fault, you may be entitled to claim compensation for your injuries, financial losses and related expenses. Premier Legal Assist can put you in touch with specialist personal injury solicitors who can fight your corner on a no win, no fee basis.

Find out if you may be eligible to make a claim for an act of violence by getting in touch with Premier Legal Assist today.

It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped, currently at 25% of your general and past special damages, to ensure you keep the majority of your payout. You may be charged cancellation fees by the legal service we introduce you to if you cancel your agreement after any applicable cooling-off period and before the claim is concluded.

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Acts of violence in a public place

Where obvious risks are ignored, or where reasonable precautions are not taken in response to threats, aggression or disorder, individuals can be put in harm’s way due to the violence of others. A person may be assaulted by another member of the public, injured during a disturbance or harmed because security was inadequate.

To make a claim, it is usually necessary to show that the injury happened because another person or organisation was negligent. In some cases, the claim may be brought against the occupier of the premises under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. In others, responsibility may fall on a venue operator, event organiser, security contractor, local authority or another party that should have taken reasonable steps to manage the risk.

If the incident was a violent crime, there may also be a separate route through the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA). You may be able to claim compensation if you were physically or mentally injured because of a violent crime, and that you usually must claim within 2 years of the crime and report it to the police before applying.

Violence in public places can leave victims dealing with a wide range of injuries, including:
Bruising and soft tissue injuries

  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Broken bones and fractures
  • Head and facial injuries
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Dental injuries
  • Psychological trauma
  • Anxiety
  • PTSD
  • Depression

Compensation for victims of violence in public

People visiting public places are entitled to expect that reasonable steps will be taken to keep those spaces, and the individuals who use them, safe.

Depending on the type of venue, other legal duties may also be relevant. Under the Licensing Act 2003, licensing authorities must carry out their functions with a view to promoting the licensing objectives, which include the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. That can be relevant to bars, clubs and other licensed premises.

Depending on the circumstances, those responsible for the premises should take reasonable steps to reduce the risk of violence, including:

  • Carrying out suitable risk assessments
  • Responding properly to previous incidents or complaints
  • Using trained security or stewarding where appropriate
  • Managing queues, crowd flow and entry points safely
  • Monitoring high-risk areas
  • Making sure emergency procedures are in place
  • Keeping records of incidents and action taken
  • Responding appropriately to reports of threatening or aggressive behaviour

If you believe that a business, occupier, local authority, event organiser, security contractor or other responsible party failed in their duty of care and you were injured as a result, you may be eligible to claim compensation. If your case is eligible, Premier Legal Assist can put you in touch with specialist personal injury solicitors who can assess your claim and represent you where necessary.

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Investigate your claim with Premier Legal Assist

We understand how upsetting it can be to be the victim of violence, especially if you believe it could have been prevented if the venue or public area had been managed more safely. Our team is on hand to assess your circumstances and, where appropriate, put you in touch with experienced solicitors to help you pursue the compensation you deserve.

Our trusted panel of personal injury solicitors specialise in public liability claims and will ensure that your case is handled with care and professionalism. If your claim is eligible, they will seek to recover the compensation you are owed.

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Compensation for Acts of Violence in Public Places: Frequently Asked Questions

You may be able to bring a claim if the incident happened within the relevant time limits and there is evidence that the venue, occupier, event organiser, security provider, local authority or another responsible party failed to take reasonable care to keep the area safe. In some cases, there may also be a separate CICA claim if the incident was a violent crime.

Premier Legal Assist is a FCA regulated claims management firm that works with experienced solicitors specialising in personal injury claims, including accidents in public places.

The first priority is to get medical attention and make sure the incident is reported. If possible, you should also keep witness details, note the exact location and time, take photographs if it is safe to do so, and ask whether CCTV recorded what happened.

If you later decide to pursue a claim, this early evidence can be important in showing how the incident happened and who may have been responsible.

That may still give rise to a claim. Depending on the circumstances, responsibility may fall on the occupier, the venue operator, the event organiser or a security contractor. Licensed premises also operate within a legal framework that includes the licensing objectives of preventing crime and disorder and promoting public safety. 

Not always, but they can be very helpful. A claim may still be possible if there is other evidence, such as an incident report, police records, medical records, photographs, messages, or records of earlier complaints or similar incidents.

That does not automatically prevent a claim. The wider question is usually whether the risk was foreseeable and whether reasonable steps were taken to reduce it. Previous incidents, obvious tensions, understaffing, poor queue management or inadequate security may all be relevant.

In some cases, yes. CICA pays compensation to people physically or mentally injured because of a violent crime in England, Scotland or Wales. You usually have to report the crime to the police before you apply, and you usually have to claim within 2 years. 

The level of compensation awarded will depend on how serious your injuries or psychological harm are and the effect they have had on your everyday life, your recovery and, where relevant, your ability to work.

Compensation is usually divided into two parts: General Damages, which compensate for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, and Special Damages, which relate to financial losses caused by the incident. This can include lost earnings, medical expenses, counselling costs, travel costs, rehabilitation costs and care needs.

If you claim through CICA, injury payments usually range from £1,000 to £250,000, with the maximum total compensation award being £500,000. 

These incidents can lead to a wide range of injuries depending on what happened and how severe the incident was.

Examples include:

  • Bruising and soft tissue injuries
  • Cuts and lacerations
  • Fractures
  • Head and facial injuries
  • Back and neck injuries
  • Dental injuries
  • Psychological trauma
  • Anxiety
  • PTSD
  • Depression

In some cases, the emotional effects can last much longer than the visible injuries. If a solicitor takes on your case, they will normally arrange medical evidence to assess the full impact of your injuries and trauma.

For most personal injury claims, an adult usually has three years from the date of the incident to begin a claim. For CICA claims, you usually have to apply within 2 years of the violent crime. 

Good evidence can be very important in showing how the incident happened and why the responsible party may be at fault. The exact evidence will depend on the case, but often includes:

  • Incident report entries
  • CCTV footage
  • Medical records and reports
  • Witness details and statements
  • Security logs
  • Complaint records
  • Photographs of the area
  • Police reference details where relevant
  • Evidence of financial losses

A solicitor acting for you would normally help obtain the evidence needed to support both liability and the value of your claim.

In many cases, no. Our panel solicitors commonly deal with eligible personal injury claims on a no win, no fee basis. That means there is usually nothing to pay at the outset, and if the claim does not succeed, you would not usually be responsible for your solicitor’s fees.

It is important to note that if your claim is successful and you receive compensation, your solicitor will take a pre-agreed "success fee" from your compensation. This percentage is legally capped (currently at 25% of your general and past special damages) to ensure you keep the majority of your payout.

You may be charged cancellation fees by the legal service we introduce you to if you cancel your agreement after any applicable cooling-off period and before the claim is concluded.

Get in Touch with Premier Legal Assist

If you have been injured or psychologically affected by an act of violence whilst in a nightclub, on the street, in a shop, in any other public place and the incident was not your fault, you may have grounds to seek compensation. If your case is eligible, we can put you in touch with specialist personal injury solicitors who work on a no win, no fee basis.

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Our Client Commitment

At Premier Legal Assist, we’re here to make sure your voice is heard.

We are committed to:

  • Listening to you and treating your concerns with respect and understanding.
  • Acting quickly and fairly to assess your case and connect you with experienced and specialist personal injury solicitors.
  • Keeping things clear by explaining your options in plain English and avoiding technical legal jargon.
  • Supporting you throughout the claims process – no pressure, no upfront costs, no time wasting.
  • Respecting your privacy by protecting your personal data.
  • Putting your well-being first, helping you achieve the outcome you deserve following your workplace accident.

Because everyone has the right to the compensation they deserve.

Important Information

Premier Legal Assist is a claims management company. You do not need to use a claims management company to make your complaint, you can complain to the organisation you are complaining about directly. If the issue is not resolved, you can refer it to the relevant independent Ombudsman service for free.

For personal injury claims, you do not need to use a representative to make a claim for low-level personal injuries sustained in a road traffic accident. You can claim through the online Official Injury Claims portal yourself, for free. If your injury damages exceed the small claims limit, we recommend you use a specialist legal service.

For all other types of personal injury, including medical negligence, employment claims and workplace injuries, we always recommend discussing your claim with a legal professional. You should only proceed with a claim when you understand the risks and associated costs.