Contrary to popular belief, you are not automatically owed compensation if you have an accident in a supermarket. In fact, making a successful claim can be very hard indeed. That’s why we can step in and let you know what precautions you need to take that can increase your chances of making a claim.
The legal duty for the supermarket is to reasonably inspect and maintain their premises. This can be achieved with regular inspection to clear away slip or trip hazards on the ground, for example. Most supermarkets, at least on record, have good systems in place. So here is what you need to do to maximise your chances of making a successful injury claim.
Report it Straight Away!
If you haven’t already done so, make a formal report using the stores accident report form and request a copy of it. Only sign it if they ask you to and you are totally happy with the contents. Make sure you note the names of any managers involved or other staff members involved as well. Ask if anyone saw your accident, and if they did, make a note of their name.
CCTV Evidence
The camera never lies! Well, not normally anyway. Ask that they review and retain the CCTV footage for the day so that it can be used as evidence for a claim. Go one step further and contact their head office by phone and email making a specific request that the footage not be destroyed. The purpose of the email is for you to have an electronic record that you have requested the footage be retained. It will normally be destroyed within a matter of a few weeks, and it could be the key evidence for your case!
Get In Touch – FAST!
We can send a recorded delivery letter and fax on your behalf to try and make sure that valuable CCTV footage is retained. We will specifically state in our letter that if it is prematurely destroyed, we will rely upon our letters as evidence in court should the need arise.
But like I said earlier – footage isn’t kept for long! You really cannot wait around because the longer you leave it, the higher the risk that the footage will be erased. Don’t think that just because they are aware of the accident means they will keep it!
We may be able to help you on a 100% compensation basis, so call us on 0800 634 75 75 today for more advice.