We have dealt with many claims for victims who have sustained injury following a slipping accident. It goes to prove that wet floors are dangerous and can lead to accidents and injuries. Most commonly these accidents occur in supermarkets, shops, or at work. Basically when you are out shopping in a supermarket or shop, you are on premises owned and occupied by others. This comes under the term “Occupiers Liability“. The occupier of premises (i.e. the supermarket or shop) owes a duty of care to those entering the shop. Indeed there is even a duty owed to unlawful visitors (known as trespassers). The duty owed to trespassers is less than the duty owed to lawful visitors (i.e. customers to the store).
When there is a spillage in a store it should be cleaned up as soon as possible. Until it is cleaned up a wet floor sign should be erected to warn of the danger. Even if a wet floor sign was present, this does not mean that you cannot claim. There are other things to consider, such as whether the wet floor sign was clearly visible to you. You may often see a member of staff stood close to the wet floor to highlight and warn of the danger.
If a person slips on a wet floor and sustains injury, they are likely to be eligible to make a claim. Injuries could be wide ranging. There is another general principle in law known as “taking your victim as you find him“. If an elderly person falls and sustains injury, it may be worse than if a younger person falls and sustains injury, for example. A fall could have a greater effect on an older Claimant, both in terms of the physical injury and any psychological effect.
The value of a claim is always based on the medical evidence and the extent and seriousness of the injuries (both physical and psychological) on the Claimant’s life. However even relatively minor injuries are compensatable – such as ligament strains, soft tissue injuries etc. With these types of accidents more serious injuries are possible, such as broken bones, head injuries etc. Psychological trauma is also a possibility.
Most stores will have CCTV footage. This means it is likely that your accident is caught on CCTV. This evidence could be very useful in proving liability. Stores generally only keep CCTV footage for a short period of time before they discard it. Therefore you should write to the store in question as soon as possible asking them to retain CCTV footage for the date in question. We would recommend you make this request in writing, either by letter or email, and retain a copy as proof. We could request this for you, if you have instructed us to act on your behalf. But as stated above, it is essential that you make the request to retain CCTV footage as soon as possible following an accident.
Wet floors can cause accidents and potentially serious injuries. If you would like to discuss a claim do not hesitate to contact us today. We may be able to offer you all 100% of your compensation payout as well.
