Whether it’s the weekly shop or just popping in for an essential, the last thing you expect is to leave a supermarket injured. We assume that those in charge take care to protect shoppers from hazards, but what if they fail? A public liability claim could be launched for your physical pain, emotional upset and any financial losses. This guide will explore supermarket accident claims for compensation and how our panel of solicitors could help with a No Win No Fee agreement.
There’s a wide range of information to help in the sections below. But if you would like to discuss your supermarket accident claim with our advisors now, you can:
- Call for free guidance on 0800 408 7825
- Contact us online.
- Speak to a real person via the live discussion window below.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I Make A Supermarket Accident Claim?
- How Much Compensation For Supermarket Accident Claims?
- What Are Some Supermarket Accident Compensation Claims Examples?
- Is There A Supermarket Injury Compensation Claims Time Limit?
- Can I Make A No Win No Fee Supermarket Accident Claim?
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Information
Can I Make A Supermarket Accident Claim?
You could qualify to make a supermarket accident claim for personal injury compensation if you meet certain criteria. You need to be able to show the following:
- A duty of care protected you at the moment of injury (we explain this below).
- The supermarket owners breached this duty of care.
- As a consequence, you suffered injury.
All those in control of areas open to the general public are bound by legislation called the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. This law states that they must carry out steps to ensure the reasonable safety of everyone on their premises. This can be achieved by carrying out regular safety reviews, ensuring hazards are promptly dealt with, and making sure staff are trained to deal with emergencies.
Can I Claim If I Was Injured Whilst Working In A Supermarket?
A different law called the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAWA) protects employees. The same three criteria apply to starting a compensation claim against the employer for negligence. Read our guide on the most common accidents at work here for more information.
As staff or a customer, if you feel that your accident and injury was caused by health and safety shortcomings in the supermarket, speak to us today. Our advisors can help determine eligibility and explain your next step.
How Much Compensation For Supermarket Accident Claims?
Understanding how much compensation might apply after a supermarket accident starts by looking at two categories called general and special damages. But rather than speculating about average compensation amounts, it helps to understand how a solicitor from our panel would approach the calculation process.
Special damages apply a value for the financial harm caused by the injury. General damages apply a value for the following:
- The physical pain.
- Psychological suffering.
- The severity and duration of the injury.
- The overall impact on the person’s quality of life (such as a permanent disability).
Those responsible for calculations might use medical evidence as a starting point. They will often compare this with publications like the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). In here can be found compensation guidelines for various forms of harm based on how severe the injuries are. They come from past successful cases but are strictly suggested guidelines. Also, in our example below, the first line is not from this source:
Compensation Guidelines
| AREA OF INJURY | SEVERITY | COMPENSATION GUIDELINES |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple very severe injuries with special damages (e.g. loss of wages and care costs). | Severe | Up to £1 million plus. |
| Head/Brain | (a) Very severe | £344,150 increasing to £493,000 |
| (d) Less severe | £18,700 increasing to £52,550 | |
| Knee | (a) Severe (ii) | £63,610 increasing to £85,100 |
| Back | (a) Severe (iii) | £47,320 increasing to £85,100 |
| Hips/Pelvis | (a) Severe (iii) | £47,810 increasing to £64,070 |
| Wrist | (b) Significant | £29,900 increasing to £47,810 |
| Neck | (b) Moderate (i) | £30,500 increasing to £46,970 |
| Shoulder | b) Serious | £15,580 increasing to £23,430 |
| Hand | (h) Moderate | £6,910 increasing to £16,200 |
How Are Supermarket Accident Claims Valued?
Under special damages, an amount can be calculated for the out-of-pocket losses caused by the supermarket injury. Evidence will be needed to back this up, and you could use the following:
- Bank statements or pay slips that prove damage to your earnings after the injury.
- Receipts showing the costs of paying family, friends or professionals to look after you.
- Proof of travel to essential appointments (taxi receipts, tickets and parking receipts for example).
- Receipts for work carried out to adapt your home or car post-injury.
- Evidence of any additional childcare expenses.
- Proof of the cost to replace any damaged personal items in the accident (like eyewear).
If your claim qualifies and you decide to place it in the hands of a solicitor, they will use evidence like this to calculate the most detailed and accurate compensation amount. They will also assess future losses and expenses as well. Speak to our advisory team today about supermarket accident claims to see if a solicitor from our panel could help you.
What Are Some Supermarket Accident Compensation Claims Examples?
Next, we look at some general examples of supermarket accidents that can be caused by negligence and the injuries they might cause:
- A spillage of olive oil was left unattended and without ‘cleaning in progress’ signs to warn customers. A shopper slipped as a result and shattered their pelvis.
- Overly stacked shelves meant that a heavy box fell on a customer, causing them a concussion head injury.
- Items left in the aisles caused a hazard to an elderly shopper who tripped, fell and suffered a broken wrist.
- A supermarket employee, recklessly moving a stock cage, collided with a customer, causing them a facial injury and a crushed toe.
- A faulty shopping trolley had an exposed metal edge which badly lacerated the hand of a shopper using it.
- A pothole in the tarmac of a supermarket car park caused a customer a neck injury when trying to park.
- Due to a lack of training in manual handling techniques, a supermarket employee pulled a ligament in their back moving a heavy box.
How Can I Prove Supermarket Negligence Led To My Injury?
Evidence that a duty of care was breached is vital. The following could help:
- Photos of your injury and the cause of the accident (like an unattended spillage).
- Points of contact for any witnesses.
- CCTV footage from the supermarket and its premises.
- Duplicates of your medical information and patient notes.
- Any correspondence from the supermarket about the accident.
- Proof of costs incurred because of the accident and injury.
Solid evidence could greatly improve your chances of being compensated. Speak to our advisory team today about supermarket accident claims to see if a solicitor from our panel could help you gather it.
Is There A Supermarket Injury Compensation Claims Time Limit?
Yes, there is a time limit for personal injury claims to be made. The Limitation Act 1980 states that the limitation period is normally 3 years from the date of the accident. This can differ for the following:
- The 3-year time limit for minors does not start until they turn 18.
- An indefinite pause applies to time limits for those without mental capacity. Instead, the 3-year period can start from any recovery date when mental capacity is regained.
For more information on time limits, you can refer to our dedicated personal injury claim time limits guide here. Or call our advisors to discuss.
Can I Make A No Win No Fee Supermarket Accident Claim?
You could make a supermarket accident claim with our panel of solicitors and a No Win No Fee agreement. By providing their services through a version of this called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), you benefit in the following ways:
- There are no initial solicitor’s fees to get started.
- No fees apply as the claim unfolds.
- No fees apply for finished work if the claim is unsuccessful.
Successful claim outcomes require the small payment of a success fee to your solicitor. Deducted as a percentage of the compensation, a law called the Conditional Fee Agreements Order 2013 keeps this amount low. There are other advantages to working with our panel of solicitors, too:
- They will provide a detailed and accurate idea of the compensation owed to you.
- Help you gather strong evidence.
- Explain legal terminology and the claims process.
- Negotiate with the supermarket on your behalf.
- Provide regular updates on the claim and offer essential advice on the best time to accept a settlement.
With expert services like these, it makes sense to see if our panel of solicitors could help you. Start by discussing supermarket accident claims with our advisory team.
- Call for free guidance on 0800 408 7825
- Contact us online.
- Speak to a real person via the live discussion window below.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, we explore some frequently asked questions about supermarket accident claims. Please connect with our advisors if you have questions of your own:
Can I Claim On Behalf Of A Loved One?
You can claim on behalf of a minor or a person with reduced mental capacity by acting as a litigation friend. In this role, a parent, guardian, or other concerned party can carry out the duties of the compensation claim on the person’s behalf.
Can I Claim For Accidents In The Supermarket Car Park?
Yes, if you were injured because a duty of care in the car park was not met. Also, you can claim against a car park operated by a private firm that might be attached to the supermarket.
Will I Need To Take The Supermarket To Court?
Often, personal injury claims after an accident in a supermarket are settled without needing to go all the way to court.
How Long Will It Take To Receive My Supermarket Compensation?
There is no set deadline for compensation for successful claims. However, it isn’t unreasonable to expect to hear something within a few months.
More Information
These links provide further reading on related topics:
- This guide examines how to claim compensation for a psychological injury.
- You can read about car park accident claims here.
- Also, information if a third party is not admitting liability.
- This resource provides information about best practice in retail areas from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
- Here is help on getting copies of your medical records.
- Lastly, read how to request CCTV footage of yourself from public spaces.
In conclusion, thank you for reading our guide on supermarket accident claims. We invite you to reach out for any further help.