Accidents in a Supermarket

We all attend supermarkets, whether it be on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. It is therefore crucial that they are safe places. For the most part our trips to supermarkets go by uneventfully and safely, but for some, accidents can happen. At The Injury Lawyers we have many clients that approach us after an accident in a supermarket, and we are able to advise them of the following.

Do you have a claim?

If you have suffered an accident in a supermarket that was through no fault of your own, and you have suffered injury as a result, you may have a claim for compensation. At The Injury Lawyers we offer free claims assessments whether we take on your claim or not, so you have nothing to lose by simply getting some free legal advice and assessing your options.

What are the duties of the supermarket?

Whatever the accident you have had in a supermarket it is brought as an Occupier’s Liability Claim.  The relevant legislation in this case is the Occupier’s Liability Act 1957, because as a customer of the supermarket, you are a ‘lawful visitor’ of the premises.

It is this act that states that the Occupier has a duty to ensure its visitors will be reasonably safe when visiting its premises. Contrary to how the name sounds, the Occupier need not actually occupy the premises as such; an Occupier is simply the person(s) with overall physical control over the premises. Therefore, if your accident occurred in a supermarket, it is the supermarket as a company that has physical control over the premises, and as such your claim is directed towards them.

What should you do next?

1. Report the incident to a member of staff as they may need to make a record of it within an accident book.
2. Seek medical attention for your injuries, as this not only assists with your injuries but also allows the medic to make a note in your medical records.
3. Check for witnesses to your accident. If any are present it can be useful to obtain their contact details as they may be needed to support your claim later on down the line.
4. Seek out a specialist personal injury lawyer directly. I say directly as there are many referral firms out there keen to get your business. They are middlemen and may simply sell your claim onto the highest bidding law firm rather than getting the firm who will give you the best service.

If you require any further information regarding your claim for personal injury then feel free to give The Injury Lawyers a call.