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You don’t expect to be injured in a supermarket, but accidents can happen anywhere at any time. Supermarkets can be full of potential hazards for both customers and employees alike, ranging from slippery surfaces to trailing cables and poorly maintained shelves. If you’ve been injured because of hazards like those aforementioned examples, you may have given some thought to the supermarket accident claims process. While compensation can’t erase the impact of your injuries, it can support your recovery as you navigate the fallout of your distressing experience.
Our advisors work throughout the week to answer queries about all kinds of public liability claims, including those involving supermarkets. They can also provide a free, careful assessment of your case to see if you can claim with a specialist solicitor from our expert panel. Whether you were injured as a shopper or an employee, please reach out today using one of the following options and take your first steps on your compensation journey:
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- Can I Claim After Having An Accident In A Supermarket?
- The Average Supermarket Accident Claims Compensation Payouts
- What Can Cause An Accident In A Supermarket To Happen?
- What Injuries Could Be Sustained In A Supermarket Accident?
- How Can I Prove Negligence In A Supermarket Injury Claim?
- What Is The Supermarket Accident Claims Limitation Period?
- Can I Make A No Win No Fee Claim For A Supermarket Injury?
- Learn More
Can I Claim After Having An Accident In A Supermarket?
You can claim compensation for an accident in a supermarket if you can show how your injuries were sustained due to the business breaching its duty of care to you. A duty of care is the responsibility that parties like supermarkets have to protect the safety of others in a given situation.
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, those who are in control of a public place are responsible for ensuring the reasonable safety of all visitors. This involves the occupier taking practical measures to fulfil their duty of care, like performing regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards.
Therefore, the following criteria must be fulfilled in supermarket accident claims:
- The supermarket had a duty of care to you at the time of your incident, for instance, because you were shopping on the premises.
- They breach their duty towards you. In the subsequent sections, we will explore some examples of how such a breach could occur.
- You have been injured as a result of this breach.
What If I Was Injured In The Supermarket Car Park?
If you were injured in the supermarket car park, you may be able to claim if your accident meets the eligiblity criteria outlined above. However, who is liable for your injuries will depend on the nature of the accident. Here are some examples to put that in context:
- Say you suffer multiple severe injuries after a malfunctioning car park barrier crashed into your vehicle. Here, the supermarket may be responsible as they would have breached their duty of care to you.
- If you are injured because of a driver (or another road user), then liability for your injuries may lie with them. For instance, if you suffer a broken leg due to a driver speeding through a car park while on their phone, then you might have grounds to make a road traffic accident claim.
Can I Claim If I Was Hurt By Another Shopper?
You can claim compensation if you were hurt by another shopper, but it may depend on the specific details of the case. For example, a customer rams into you when they lose control of their trolley, causing you to slip and break your wrist. In this scenario, there may be grounds to claim if the supermarket was aware that the trolley was defective but failed to take any action to repair or remove it.
What If I Was Injured Whilst Working At The Supermarket?
In the event that you were injured whilst working at a supermarket, you can claim compensation if you can show how your employer was at fault for the incident. This is because all employers have a duty of care to ensure the well-being of their employees to the extent practicable. Therefore, if you are injured due to a breach of this duty, you might be able to make an accident at work claim against the supermarket.
Contact our advisors now to discuss your supermarket accident and see if you have a potential claim.
The Average Supermarket Accident Claims Compensation Payouts
Since every case is assessed on its individual circumstances, average supermarket accident claims compensation payouts wouldn’t necessarily be relevant to you. However, your solicitor may use the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to help them assess the potential value of your injuries. The JCG is used for this task because the text provides a list of injuries and their corresponding guideline compensation brackets, which vary by severity and other factors. This part of your supermarket injury compensation is referred to as general damages.
We have created a table containing a list of some JCG brackets, barring the top row. Please use this table for guidance only.
| Injury | Notes | Compensation Guidelines |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries and Special Damages | Multiple severe injuries and their financial impacts, such as medical expenses. | Up to 200,000+ |
| Severe Leg Injuries-Severe (ii) Very Serious | Includes injuries where ermanent mobility problems, with a lifelong need for crutches or mobility aids. | £66,920 to £109,290 |
| Knee Injury- Severe (ii) | It is a leg fracture extending until the knee joint and impairing movement and agility. | £63,610 to £85,100 |
| Neck Injuries- Severe (iii) | This bracket can include cases like damaged tendons or soft tissues leading to significant and permanent disability. | £55,500 to £68,330 |
| Pelvis Injuries- Severe (iii) | Can include a fracture which leads to instability in the leg or a chance of hip replacement surgery. | £47,810 to £64,070 |
| Foot Injuries- Serious | There are some chances of arthritis developing, the need for risk effusion surgery and extended treatment. | £30,500 to £47,840 |
| Ankle Injuries- Moderate | These injuries include ligament tears or fractures which lead to some difficulties in standing for a long time or walking on uneven surfaces. | £16,770 to £32,450 |
| Wrist Injuries- Severe (c) | There could be some remaining disability, such as stiffness or pain although the injuries weren't as severe. | £15,370 to £29,900 |
| Toe Injuries- Severe | One or more toes may be amputated or there could be severe damage due to bursting wounds or crush injuries. | £16,770 to £25,710 |
| Back Injuries- Minor (i) | There may be a full recovery or one with persisting nuisance within 2-5 years and without surgery. | £9,630 to £15,260 |
How Can Compensation Help Me After A Supermarket Accident?
Compensation can help you after a supermarket accident by providing financial relief and recovering any out-of-pocket losses you suffered due to your injuries. You could claim for these losses via special damages, including:
- Medical expenses, including prescriptions, private treatments, and occupational therapy.
- Travel to appointments, whether by car or public transport.
- Physical aids, such as plaster casts, crutches, and neck collars.
- Professional help for full-time care or for tasks like cleaning and cooking.
- Loss of earnings due to any leave of absence from work or an inability to return to your job.
Please note that evidence is necessary for special damages to be included in supermarket accident claims. So, if you wish to recover your financial losses, you’ll need to provide documents like invoices, bank statements, and payslips.
Speak to our advisors now for further guidance on calculating compensation payouts.
What Can Cause An Accident In A Supermarket To Happen?
Accidents in supermarkets can have many causes, including:
- Spillages: There is a leaking freezer which hasn’t been repaired for a long time, and the spillage hasn’t been cleared. This causes a customer to fall and hit their head on the floor, leading to a serious concussion.
- Falling objects: A jam bottle was placed on the edge of a shelf because staff had not received training on how to stack products properly. Subsequently, the bottle falls and breaks, leaving a customer to suffer nerve damage after stepping on the glass.
- Slips, trips and falls: Staff leave trailing cables in aisles without marking the hazards or otherwise making sure that customers are aware of them. As a result, a customer trips and falls heavily, suffering multiple fractures.
For more examples of supermarket accident claims, call our advisors now.
What Injuries Could Be Sustained In A Supermarket Accident?
Here are some common injuries that can be sustained in a supermarket accident:
- Head injuries
- Fractures or broken bones
- Lacerations
- Soft tissue injuries
- Crush injuries
- Electric shocks and burn injuries
If your injury isn’t mentioned above, please get in touch to discuss your situation and get more guidance on the supermarket accident claims process.
How Can I Prove Negligence In A Supermarket Injury Claim?
To prove negligence in a supermarket injury claim, you can use evidence like medical records, video footage, and photographs of the accident site. Some examples of this include:
- CCTV footage of the supermarket accident. Most supermarkets will have CCTV, which can provide insight into how the accident occurred.
- Pictures of visible injuries, such as any noticeable signs of dislocations or fractures.
- Photographs of the accident site. For instance, if a shelf is in a clear state of disrepair.
- Contact details of any person who saw the accident and is willing to provide a witness statement to your solicitor.
Get in touch with our advisors now to find out how a solicitor from our panel can assist in gathering evidence.
What Is The Supermarket Accident Claims Limitation Period?
Under the Limitation Act 1980, the supermarket accident claims limitation period is generally 3 years. This time limit commences from the date of the accident and is for when a claim needs to be started. There are exceptions for:
- Minors: Since a minor cannot claim compensation before turning 18, the time limit is paused until this date.
- Individuals with limited mental capacity: If a person doesn’t have the mental capacity to make a claim for themselves, then time limits do not apply. However, if the person’s mental capacity returns, they will have 3 years to start their claim from the point of their recovery.
Individuals from these groups can still claim during the time limit pause if a loved one or other eligible adult becomes a litigation friend to seek compensation on their behalf. Claiming as soon as possible can be beneficial, particularly for remembering details of the accident and collecting time-sensitive evidence, such as CCTV footage.
Speak to our advisory team now to determine the correct time limit for your claim.
Can I Make A No Win No Fee Claim For A Supermarket Injury?
You can make a No Win No Fee claim for a supermarket injury by connecting with one of the expert solicitors making up our panel. They offer a nationwide service, so you can benefit from their expertise no matter where you are in the country. If you decide to work with one of them, you’ll get access to services like:
- Regular updates, ensuring you are always informed about the status of your case.
- Clear, easy-to-follow guidance and prompt answers to any questions you have about the claims process.
- Support from specialists, ranging from occupational therapists to psychologists.
- Expert representation, so you stay focused on your recovery while your solicitor focuses on securing compensation for you.
You can pursue compensation via a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), which means that there are no upfront or ongoing service fees to pay your solicitor. If you lose your claim, you won’t have to pay these solicitor fees at all. Your solicitor will charge a small, capped percentage of your compensation if your claim is successful. This is known as a success fee and acts as payment for the solicitor’s services.
Contact Legal Helpline
Get in touch with our panel of solicitors now:
- Call on 0333 000 0729.
- Message us directly on live chat.
- Contact us online.
Learn More
You may read some of our other guides:
- Information on claiming amputation compensation.
- Our guide on stuck in a lift compensation claims.
- Details on seeking an ankle injury payout.
Here are external resources for more information:
- Guidance from the HSE on safety in the retail industry.
- Information from the NHS on what to do after a fall.
- Details from the HSE on making parking areas safer.
Thank you for taking the time to read this guide to supermarket accident claims.
