Accident In A Supermarket Claims Guide

By Danielle Newton. Last Updated 21st August 2023. If you have had an accident in a supermarket, you may be thinking about making a claim for compensation. However, you may be feeling a bit unsure as to whether you have a good case or not for your supermarket accident claim.

In this guide, we will reveal everything you need to know if you have been injured in a public place and you are thinking about pursuing a claim. We will also provide you with some advice on choosing the right company for personal injury claims too.

We have many years of experience in this sector, and we are here to pass our knowledge on to you. Please take a look below to find out answers to common questions, as well as some information you may not have even thought to ask about.

Contact us with any issues or questions.

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A Guide To Claims For An Accident In A Supermarket

If you have had an accident in a public place, like a supermarket, you may be feeling at a bit of a loss regarding what to do next. This is natural. After all, it is not like many people make personal injury claims every week. This is why we have put this guide together; to give you all of the details you need about claiming for accidents in supermarkets. We will provide you with information on the steps you should take in order to make a successful claim.

We will also take a look at how to sue a supermarket and average compensation amounts, for example, slip and fall compensation amounts. Furthermore, we will take a look at some of the specific types of accidents and injuries that could happen, for example, employee injuries, being injured in the car park, experiencing a slip and fall in a supermarket, and much more. If you have any queries by the time you finish reading this guide, please do not hesitate to get in touch for more information.

What Is An Accident In A Supermarket?

When it comes to supermarket accidents, this basically means any sort of accident that has occurred on supermarket premises, either inside or outside, which was not your fault. This could happen while shopping or working in a supermarket. It could happen while you were giving a customer a lift there, or could happen while you were delivering stock to the supermarket.

Personal Injury Calculator For Accidents In A Supermarket

One thing that most people may want to know when they are making a claim is how much compensation they could possibly receive. You may have come across a personal injury claims calculator online. While these tools are handy, please note that they will only ever give very rough estimates in terms of compensation payouts.

This is because every case is different and, therefore, they are all handled on an individual basis to ensure that a fair amount is awarded for every accident in a shop claim. Below, we have put together the guide payout amounts that have been sourced via the Judicial College Guidelines. These figures have been taken from the most up-to-date guidelines, published in April 2022.

Do feel free to get in touch if you can’t see your specific injury. We can only include a certain number of injuries on this page.

 

Injury Description Amount
Knee (a)(i) Severe, with disruption of the joint £69,730 to £96,210
Ankle (b) Severe £31,310 to £50,060
Ankle (d) Modest Up to £13,740
Leg (c)(i) Less serious, but an incomplete recovery £17,960 to £27,760
Cheekbone (d)(i) Serious fracture that requires surgery £10,200 to £15,780
Finger (u) Moderate thumb injury £9,670 to £12,590
Teeth (f)(i) Loss of (or damage to) several front teeth £8,730 to £11,410
Teeth (f)(iv) Damage to or loss of back teeth: per tooth £1,090 to £1,710
Jaw (e)(iii) Simple fracture with complete recovery £6,460 to £8,730
Nose (c)(ii) Displaced fracture, surgery required for complete recovery £3,950 to £5,100

Compensation Awards in Supermarket Accident Claims in 2022

The compensation figures above relate to the potential general damages compensation you could receive for some injuries. This amount is for the pain, suffering and general negative impact the injury has had on your life. In supermarket accident claims, you may also be able to claim for special damages.

Special damages compensation relates to the losses you’ve suffered on a financial level because of the injury. For example, if you break your ankle in an accident in a supermarket, you may be unable to work. If this is the case, you may be able to claim for loss of earnings. If the injury is permanent or long-term, you could also claim for future loss of earnings.

Other financial losses you may be able to claim for include:

  • Travel costs
  • Healthcare expenses
  • Home adjustments
  • Care costs.

You would need evidence, such as receipts, invoices or bank statements, to prove the value of the financial losses. To see if you’re able to claim for a supermarket accident, please contact us completely for free using the details above. Our advisors have years of experience and can tell you in just one phone call if you’re eligible to claim.

What Rights Do I Have If Injured In An Accident In A Public Supermarket?

As per the Occupiers’ Liability Act of 1957, supermarket managers and owners need to make sure that all of their premises are safe for anyone that uses them. This is something they are bound to by law. This includes anyone who works at the supermarket, whether it is someone tending to the parking areas, cleaning, providing customer service, working in the storeroom, or working at the checkout. It also includes anyone who visits or shops at the supermarket.

There is also the Health and Safety at Work Act of 1974, which protects employees at work. This means that employees need to be provided with extensive training on good working practices to ensure that the risk of injury is lowered as much as possible. This also includes providing the required personal protective equipment too.

What Accidents Can Happen In A Supermarket?

There are lots of accidents and injuries that could happen in a supermarket. Some examples could include:

  • Being hit by a falling supermarket advertising sign
  • Tripping on a pothole in a supermarket car park
  • Being struck by supermarket trolley being moved by staff
  • Injuries caused by a defective supermarket trolley
  • Being hit by an item falling off the supermarket shelf
  • Tripping over boxes or other obstacles left in supermarket aisles
  • Slip, trip or fall on a wet floor near a supermarket entrance
  • Customers slipping on a wet floor caused by a spillage

Slips And Falls In A Supermarket

There is no denying that slips, trips, and falls are the most common out of all of the different accidents that happen in general, not only in supermarkets. This is because there are so many different ways that these sorts of accidents could happen. You could slip because of a leaking freezer or because someone has spilled something on the floor and it has not been wiped up properly. You could also fall because of a problem with the state of the car park, for instance, a large pothole.

Crush Accidents And Injuries In A Supermarket

You may be able to make a claim if you have been injured because of crushing and dangerous machinery. There are lots of different equipment that is used to transport and store stock. A lot of this equipment must be checked regularly to ensure it is safe. Shelving could easily collapse if it is not checked as regularly as it should be, causing a crushing accident to a hand, leg, arm or another body part.

I Was Injured By A Falling Object In A Supermarket, Could I Claim Compensation?

You may also be entitled to compensation if you have been injured in a supermarket because of a falling object. There are many ways that this could happen. You could be injured simply because a member of staff has not stacked the shelves properly. Or, you could be injured as an employee or a shopper if the shelves were defective, for example.

Injuries Caused By Being Struck By A Moving Object Or Supermarket Trolley

There could be accidents and injuries involving being struck by a moving object in a supermarket. This could be an accident that is caused because another person has crashed into you hard with their trolley. It could be that you were working in the supermarket and you have been injured because of the equipment you were using.

Accidents In A Supermarket Car Park

A lot of people might not realise that they can also make an accident in a supermarket claim if they have been injured in the car park of the supermarket. The supermarket in question is also for the most part responsible for this part of their business, which is why you could make a case for compensation. However, the way in which your accident happened will determine who you claim against. For example, if there is a road defect, you are likely to claim against the supermarket, however, if another driver was being reckless, you can make a case against him or her.

Hazards In A Supermarket

There are many different ways that you could have an accident in a supermarket. Some of the most common hazards might include: 

  • Wet floors – This could be caused by the residue of cleaning products, leaking freezers, or the weather, for example.
  • Cluttered floor space – This takes in everything from unpacked items to roll cages, trays, boxes, baskets, and stray trolleys.
  • Items falling from shelves – This could be down to the incorrect placement of goods, substandard shelving, or poor stacking.
  • Spillage of liquid and food – Spillages of any nature could be a major hazard in supermarkets, and in the past, they have led to some serious injuries.

There could also be many different hazards for those working in a supermarket that could lead to an accident in a supermarket claim. This could include:

  • Musculoskeletal injuries for checkout staff – A lack of breaks and badly designed chairs could cause musculoskeletal injuries, which could tend to be very painful, for example, repetitive strain injury (RSI).
  • Insufficient training – Lack of updates and training could cause injuries.
  • Lifting of heavy objects – Without the correct training and support, simple lifting processes could result in compensation claims being made for manual handling injuries.
  • Defective equipment or substandard equipment – This includes everything from dangerous shelving and shopping trolleys to forklift trucks and roll cages.
  • Poorly stacked goods in the warehouse – This could lead to items falling and injuring people.

In addition to the hazards within a supermarket, you might also be able to claim if you have been injured because of something you purchased. Have you been injured as a result of a faulty product? If so, you may want to find a quality accident solicitor to see if you could make a product liability claim.

Many people may not realise that they are likely entitled to compensation if they have been injured because of a product. However, all manufacturers, distributors, and suppliers have a duty to ensure that their products are safe for public use. Of course, all items go through rigorous testing, however, there are rare instances when some of these products could slip through the wire. If you have been injured because of this, then you may be entitled to be compensated for your suffering.

It is vital to stress that a product liability claim can be made for virtually any type of product. You do, however, need to be able to show that the manufacturer is at fault. So, if you have spilt hot water on yourself when using a kettle, you wouldn’t likely be able to claim. However, if there was a default with the kettle, then you might be able to.

Time Limits To Claim Compensation For An Accident In A Supermarket

If you are eligible to make a personal injury claim, you must start the legal process before the time limit expires. This is generally three years from the date of the supermarket accident as set by the Limitation Act 1980.

However, in some circumstances, there are exceptions to the time limit. These include:

  • Those without the mental capacity to bring forward a claim themselves. For these parties, there is an indefinite suspension applied to the limitation period. During this time, a court-appointed litigation friend can make a claim for them. Should the injured party regain this mental capacity, they will have three years from the date of recovery to launch their claim if a litigation friend did not act for them.
  • Those under the age of 18. For these parties, the time limit is frozen until they turn 18. Prior to this date, a litigation friend can file a claim on their behalf. Once the injured party reaches their 18th birthday, they will have three years from that date to bring forward a claim if one was not made for them already.

If you have any questions about the limitation period or to find out if you are still within the time limit to launch your claim for an accident in a supermarket, get in touch with an advisor from our team.

No Win No Fee Claims For An Accident In A Supermarket

You might not need to pay upfront to begin your public liability insurance claim. A lot of people might be put off from hiring a personal injury lawyer, as they might believe they are going to be subject to extortionate costs, and they may not be able to afford this. Plus, there is always the risk that you might have to pay huge sums of money but then miss out on your compensation. This is a risk a lot of people may not be able to afford to take.

Nevertheless, it is something you actually wouldn’t need to worry about. If you hire a No Win No Fee personal injury solicitor you will not need to make an upfront payment to get the ball rolling. Moreover, you do not pay legal fees if your case is not a success, which eliminates risk substantially.

Another reason why some people may not make a claim when they’ve been in a supermarket accident is that they are concerned about the potential hassle that may be involved in taking their claim to court. However, most valid personal injury claims are resolved before court action takes place. So it is overall unlikely that this will happen if you do have grounds to make a supermarket accident claim. While it cannot be completely ruled out that making such a claim could lead to court action, it is usually in the interest of both parties to settle out of court.

How Do I Start My Claim For An Accident In A Supermarket?

There are certain actions that you could follow to give yourself the best chance of receiving as much compensation as possible if you’re injured in a supermarket accident caused by another party’s negligence. These steps can include seeing a doctor, acting quickly to ensure you start a claim in time and reporting the accident to the relevant parties. We’ll explain these ideas further in the next few sections of this guide:

Visit a doctor

Unfortunately, you might find it a little harder to make a personal injury claim if you have not seen a doctor. A lot of people may bypass this step when they have sustained a minor injury. Nevertheless, if you want to claim you should really see a medical professional, as their report might be one of the most pivotal pieces of evidence.

They will document your injuries and the recommended treatment and this will usually be used to determine how much compensation you should get. If you have not seen a doctor yet, don’t panic as there may be time for you to do so and a lawyer may even make you an appointment with a medical professional as part of your case.

Don’t wait around

The longer you wait around to make a claim for the accident in a supermarket, the more difficult it could possibly become. Yes, you do have three years to make a claim for the most part (this is the usual personal injury claims time limit), but it doesn’t mean you have to use all three years to do so. Instead, it is advisable to make your claim as soon as you can. You might find it much easier to gather evidence, such as witness statements, and the details will likely still be fresh in your mind.

There are some exceptions to the personal injury claims time limit, most notably when the accident has involved children being injured – but you could claim on behalf of the child.

Report the incident

Aside from these steps, reporting an accident in a shop comes recommended. In fact, this is a legal requirement if you are injured while working. Either way, it can serve as an official record of what has happened, so it is definitely advised.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you claim if you fall in a supermarket?

The answer to this question can depend on more than one factor. Two of the main criteria are:

  • Was there a duty of care? – the occupier of the premises (in this instance, the party in control of the space) has a legal duty to keep everyone present safe. This is known as a duty of care. It can be upheld by making sure the risk of injury is kept to a minimum.
  • Was this duty of care breached? – for example, did you fall due to a slip hazard that was not cleaned up or properly marked with something like a wet floor sign?
  • Were you injured as a result of the breach? – simply falling is not enough to file a personal injury claim. You need to have sustained an injury as a result. Injuries can be physical, psychological, or even both.

What do you do after an accident in a supermarket?

Your initial priority should always be to have your injuries seen by a medical professional.  Otherwise, any injuries you may have sustained could be made worse due to a lack of treatment.

Then, you should inform the supermarket that you intend to make a claim against them. You will generally have 3 years from the date of the accident to start a claim, but there can be exceptions to this rule.

How much compensation for a fall in a supermarket will I receive?

There are too many variables to give a short answer to this question. Everyone’s circumstances are different meaning that every claim is unique. The best way to get an accurate valuation is to get in touch with our advisors.

Reference Materials And Articles

  1. HSE information about retail – Safety in the retail industry information.
  2. Accidents while shopping – Read our accident guide to shopping claims.
  3. Public Liability – More on public liability from our experts.
  4. Child injury claims – Find out how a child claim can differ.
  5. Reporting a workplace accident – Read out the importance of doing so.
  6. Claims against a shop – Another of our helpful guides.
  7. Back injury lawyers – Information on claiming for this specific type of injury.
  8. Accidents in a public place – What to do after the fact, and more.
  9. Fatal Claims – Find out how long you have to claim for the death of a loved one.

Do you still have any questions you would like to ask about making accident in a supermarket claims? You are welcome to contact our advisors here at Public Interest Lawyers for tips and potentially other support. You can reach us on the phone or online by using the contact details found in this guide.