This guide will explore when you could be eligible to make a supermarket accident claim. The person in control of a public space, such as a supermarket, has a duty of care towards you. We will explore the responsibilities they have in more detail throughout this guide.
Additionally, we will explore examples of accidents that could occur in a supermarket and the harm you could sustain as a result. Furthermore, we will explore the steps you could take following an accident that caused you harm.
If you are looking to seek legal representation, you may find it beneficial to hire a No Win No Fee solicitor from our panel. We will explore the services they can offer in more detail later on in this guide.
Please continue reading to learn more about the process of seeking personal injury compensation. Or, you can speak with a member of our team. They can answer any questions you may have after reading this guide. To get in touch:
- Call the telephone number at the top of your screen
- Fill out our contact form
- Use the live chat feature at the bottom of your screen
Choose A Section
- What is a Supermarket Accident Claim?
- Why is Duty of Care Important?
- Am I Eligible to Make a Supermarket Accident Claim?
- Slip, Trip and Fall Claims – What Evidence Could I Use?
- How Much Could I Receive From an Accident in a Public Place?
- No Win No Fee Solicitors – How Can They Help?
- Learn More About Making a Supermarket Accident Claim
What is a Supermarket Accident Claim?
There are various ways a supermarket accident could occur. For example:
- You may suffer a slip, trip or fall and suffer a back injury as a result of a spillage not being properly signposted.
- The shelves may not have been stocked correctly by staff. Due to this, a heavy box might fall from a high-up shelf and hit you on the head. As a result, you may sustain a severe head injury.
However, not all accidents in a supermarket will form the basis of a valid claim. In order to seek compensation, you must prove that a third party’s negligence caused you to sustain harm, either physically or psychologically. Negligence involves a third party breaching the duty of care they owed you.
We have explored the duty of care the person in control of a supermarket owes you in the section below. However, if you would like to discuss your potential supermarket accident claim, call our team on the number above.
Why is Duty of Care Important?
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, the party that controls the space is responsible for ensuring the safety of the people using the space. This is known as a duty of care. As part of their duty of care, they must take all reasonable steps to reduce or remove the risk of any known hazards. The specific steps they must take will depend on the public place. However, for supermarkets, the steps could include:
- Carrying out regular risk assessments to address any hazards
- Providing adequate health and safety training to staff
- Ensuring they deal with any hazards they become aware of in a timely manner
A failure to do so could lead to a customer sustaining harm in a supermarket. If it can be proven that the party in control of the supermarket breached their duty of care which led to a customer becoming harmed, a claim could be made.
For more information on proving a breach of duty of care when making a claim, call our team.
Am I Eligible to Make a Supermarket Accident Claim?
As well as ensuring your claim demonstrates that negligence caused you harm, you must also be aware of the time limit for starting a personal injury claim. This is generally three years from the date of the accident or the date you became aware that negligence caused or contributed to the injuries you sustained.
There are certain circumstances where exceptions can be made, including for those aged under 18 and for those who have a reduced mental capacity to claim themselves. In these cases, the time limit is frozen. For those under the age of 18, the time limit will start from the date of their 18th birthday. For those with a reduced mental capacity, the time limit will start from the date of recovery, if the person recovers their mental capacity. In both cases, an application can be made to act as a litigation friend while the time limit is frozen.
To find out whether you’re still eligible to start a supermarket accident claim, get in touch on the number above.
Slip, Trip and Fall Claims – What Evidence Could I Use?
Whilst there are several steps you can take after sustaining harm in an accident, such as seeking medical attention, gathering evidence can help to support your case. Evidence you could gather can include:
- Pictures of your injuries as well as any hazards that caused the accident
- CCTV footage
- Contact details of any witnesses
- Medical evidence, such as hospital reports or doctor reports
As well as collecting evidence, you may find it beneficial to seek legal representation. A solicitor from our panel may be able to represent your claim, provided it meets the relevant criteria. Additionally, they can help you gather evidence take you through each stage of the claims process.
They could also arrange for you to attend a medical appointment that’s carried out by an independent medical professional. This can generate a report on the full extent of the harm you suffered as well as the impact it has had and will continue to have on your quality of life. Solicitors can use this report alongside other resources to help them value your settlement.
To find out how much compensation you could be owed after making a successful supermarket accident claim, call our team on the number above.
How Much Could I Receive From an Accident in a Public Place?
If your supermarket accident claim is successful, the settlement you receive could be made up of two different heads of claim. They are known as general damages and special damages.
General damages compensate you for the ways in which your injuries have affected your quality of life. Factors such as the severity of your injury, your pain and suffering and future prognosis are taken into consideration. This head covers both physical and psychological injuries.
We have compiled a table using figures from the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). This is a document that legal professionals use to aid them when valuing the general damages portion of your settlement. That being said, these figures should only be used as guidance because every personal injury claim is different, and the compensation you may be awarded may differ from what’s listed in the table.
| Body Part | Compensation Bracket | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Severe Back Injury (a) (i) | £91,090 to £160,980 | The most severe of injuries including damage to the spinal cord and nerve roots resulting in severe consequences not ordinarily found in back injury cases. |
| Minor Back Injury (c) (i) | £7,890 to £12,510 | This bracket covers less serious soft tissue injuries that have fully recovered within 2-5 years. |
| Severe Neck Injury (a) (ii) | £65,740 to £130,930 | This bracket includes injuries such as severe soft tissue dame leading to chronic conditions and a permanent disability that is significant in nature. |
| Moderate Neck Injury (b) (i) | £7,890 to £13,740 | Injuries that have caused the acceleration or exacerbation of a pre-existing condition. |
| Severe Leg Injury (b) (ii) | £54,830 to £87,890 | A very serious leg injury that causes permanent mobility issues as well as other problems. |
| Less Serious Leg Injury (c) (ii) | £9,110 to £14,080 | A simple femur fracture where there is no articular surface damage. |
| Wrist Injury (a) | £47,620 to £59,860 | An injury that results in complete loss of wrist functionality. |
| Wrist Injury (e) | In the region of £7,430 | A Colles' fracture that isn't complicated. |
| Less Severe Arm Injury (c) | £19,200 to £39,170 | Whilst notable disabilities have been suffered, a level of recovery has occurred or is expected to occur. |
| Serious Shoulder Injury (b) | £12,770 to £19,200 | Dislocation of the shoulder as well as damage to the lower brachial plexus. |
What Else Could I Receive As Part of a Supermarket Accident Claim?
Special damages could also be included in your settlement. This head of claim looks to compensate you for any financial losses incurred because of your injuries. For example:
- Care costs
- Medical expenses
- Travel costs
- Loss of pay
You must provide evidence of these losses such as, payslips, invoices and receipts.
No Win No Fee Solicitors – How Can They Help?
The solicitors from our panel offer their services on a type of No Win No Fee basis called a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). Under a CFA, there are generally no:
- Upfront or ongoing costs for your solicitor’s services
- Payments required for your solicitor’s services should your claim fail
If your claim is successful, a percentage of your compensation will be taken in the form of a success fee. However, the percentage is capped by law.
To find out whether you’re eligible to have a solicitor from our panel represent your case on this basis, use the details below to get in touch.
Contact Us For A Free Consultation Today
If you have anymore questions about whether you’re eligible to start a supermarket accident claim, get in touch by:
- Calling the telephone number at the top of your screen
- Fill out our contact form
- Using the live chat feature at the bottom of your screen
Learn More About Making a Supermarket Accident Claim
Please find some additional resources below.
- Public liability claim examples
- Can I sue my doctor for negligence?
- How to make an accident at work claim
- A government guide on claiming compensation after an accident or injury
- An NHS guide on when to call 999
- NHS medical advice on different conditions
We hope this guide on starting a supermarket accident claim has helped. If you have any other questions, please get in touch on the details above.
Writer Beck Parkins
Editor Meg Morrisey