Accidents on Business Premises - Liability, Evidence & Risk

Introduction

Accidents on business premises generate a high volume of claims, but liability is rarely straightforward. Outcomes depend less on the accident itself and more on where it happened, who controlled the premises, and which duties were engaged.

This virtual classroom seminar takes a practical look at accidents on business premises, examining the duties owed by occupiers, employers, and third parties and how statutory and common law obligations overlap. It focuses on the real issues that determine success or failure in practice: location, control, knowledge, warnings, and risk.

The live session will equip you with practical tools to assess liability early, identify the correct defendant, and approach premises accident claims with greater confidence and strategic clarity.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive course will cover the following:

• Introduction and Scope
• Why place still matters in premises liability
• Overview of key causes of action
• Identifying the Relevant Duty of Care
• Who owes the duty
• Occupiers
• Employers
• Third parties (contractors, managing agents)
• Multiple defendants and overlapping duties
• Employee vs non-employee claimants
• Distinguishing statutory and common law duties
• Workplace and Employer Liability
• Employer duties under
• Common law
• Statutory frameworks (incl. ERRA where applicable)
• Non-delegable duties
• Breach analysis: systems of work, training, supervision
• Vicarious liability issues
• The Importance of Location
• Public vs restricted areas
• Back of house, shared spaces and transitional zones
• Temporary hazards and transient risks
• Control of the premises and its legal significance
• Knowledge, Foreseeability & Warnings
• Actual vs constructive knowledge
• Reasonable inspection regimes
• Adequacy of warnings and signage
• When warnings fail to protect defendants
• Claimant awareness and evidential challenges
• Volenti and Contributory Negligence
• Willingly accepted risks - when does the defence succeed
• Distinguishing consent from mere knowledge
• Contributory negligence in premises claims
• Tactical considerations for pleadings and evidence

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.