Modern daily life is chaotic, rushed, and busy. Therefore, supermarkets have become a close friend and ally. They have all of life’s essentials under one roof; so with one quick trip you have got all the fuel to get you through another busy week. Not only this, but prices are low and discounts are numerous. You may think that I am promoting the perks of supermarket shopping, but I’m actually pointing out why personal injury within supermarkets is on the increase. It is the furthest thought from our mind that we may have an accident in a supermarket that is not our fault; however, the statistics for it are surprisingly high. This is why at The Injury Lawyers we like to write blogs to inform our readers about when you can and can’t claim for compensation.
There are many possible accidents that could occur within a supermarket. There could be a spillage on the floor causing a slip, an item left in an aisle causing a trip hazard, or the items on the shelf could be poorly stacked causing them to fall on top of you.
Supermarkets have a duty to look after their customers as much as possible and they must comply with important Health and Safety Regulations. All employees within a supermarket must be fully trained in maintaining these safety standards. This training could include simple things such as having a schedule to check for clear aisles, a cleaning process for spillages, or training in stacking shelves safely.
If you have an accident within a supermarket, it is important that you:
- Report the accident to a member of staff as it may need to be entered into an accident book.
- Seek medical assistance for your injuries – the medic can then record these details in your medical records.
- Check if anyone witnessed the accident and obtain their full contact details as you may need their support later in a possible claim.
- Seek out a specialist personal injury lawyer directly. It is advisable not to use a referral agency as they may simply sell your claim to the highest payer rather than to the firm who will give you the best service.
- Claim in time – You have 3 years from the date of the accident within which to bring your claim, but it’s always advisable to get the ball rolling as quickly as possible. Vital CCTV evidence (normally only kept for around 2 – 4 weeks nowadays) and the memory of a witness can easily disappear.
At The Injury Lawyers we have a vast amount of experience in supermarket claims. We do not use referral agencies as all our clients come to us directly. So feel free to get in touch for a free, no obligation chat about claiming for compensation.
