You either love supermarkets or hate them. They can be a person’s best friend as you visit them frequently and they have everything you need (usually), and there are cheap prices and discounts galore. However, many people avoid supermarkets as they dislike the traffic and hassle of the ‘big’ supermarket shop and like to support smaller local businesses instead.
Whatever your feeling regarding supermarkets, it is the last thing in your mind that you will suffer an accident in one that was not your fault. At The Injury Lawyers we have many clients coming to us having suffered a variety of accidents in a supermarket. These can include slipping on a spillage left negligently uncleaned and unattended, a trip on an item left in an aisle, or products falling upon you from a poorly stacked shelf.
If indeed you have suffered any of the accidents above, or one not mentioned, and it was not your fault, you may have a claim for compensation. Supermarkets have a duty to keep their customers safe from harm as far as is reasonably possible. They must comply with health and safety regulations and train their staff accordingly. Staff may be given training in regularly checking that aisles are clear, training for procedures to deal spillages, or in how to stack a shelf safely.
If you have had an accident in a supermarket, it is important to report it to a member of staff who may need to make a record of it in an accident book. Seeking medical assistance for your injury is also important as it allows the medic to make a note in your medical records. Check for witnesses to the accident, and if present, obtain their contact details as they may be able to support a later claim. Lastly, seek out a specialist personal injury lawyer to represent you in your claim. It is advisable this is done as soon as possible after the accident when events are fresh in your mind. In most cases it must be done within 3 years of the accident date, as after this date the claim may be statute barred – meaning you may not be able to make a claim.
At The Injury Lawyers we have a vast amount of experience in dealing with supermarket claims. We work hard on behalf of our clients to get them the best possible amounts of compensation and all our claims are dealt with on a genuine no win no fee basis.
