Claiming For A Supermarket Slip, Trip And Fall Accident

If you have fallen over in a supermarket, you may be unsure about what to do now. You may even be unsure if you can claim. The general rule is that if the accident was the fault of someone else, such as the supermarket generally failing to follow health and safety guidelines or an employee acting negligently, you are eligible to claim. You can make a claim even if you have been injured as an employee, it is not something that is exclusive to customers.

Firstly, it is important to outline what a slip, trip and fall accident actually is:

Slip, Trip And Fall Accidents

This is a type of accident that is very common in many different workplaces and public spaces. It simply refers to the act of slipping, tripping and falling on an obstacle. However, there are certain protections that a supermarket should take to help decrease the likelihood that you will suffer an injury. Boxes and other items should not be left in walkways and any wires, usually located in the back of the shop should be taped down to avoid the likelihood of someone falling over. If there is a spillage on the floor, it should be cleaned up as soon as possible.

While/once the floor has been cleaned, a sign should be placed there to indicate that the area is wet. All of these steps can help to reduce the likelihood that a slip, trip and fall accident will happen. However, if the supermarket has failed to enforce or perform any of these steps and you have been injured as a result, you could be able to claim compensation. It doesn’t matter whether you were an employee or a customer, you deserve to claim after an accident.

Collect Evidence

The most important factor in determining whether your claim will be successful is the amount of evidence that you have. The most important step to take following any accident is to seek medical attention. This may be as simple as receiving first aid treatment or you may need to go to the hospital. However, not only does this step protect your health but it also creates a paper trail that outlines that you have suffered an accident and have been injured.

If you think that you might want to claim, you should collect photographs of the accident scene which highlight the problem. For example, if the accident was caused by a wet floor, you should take a photograph of the scene which highlights that there was not a sign in place. You should also aim to take photographs of your injuries. If you are unable to take photographs yourself, perhaps due to immediately going to a hospital, you should ask a friend or someone present if they would be willing to do this for you.

You should ask any witnesses if they would be happy to come forward and present a witness statement to aid your case. While they may be unsure in the moment, you should seek to get the contact details of every witness in case they would later like to make a statement or if they change their mind.

Time Limit

There is usually a three-year time limit for personal injury cases, beginning on the day that the accident happened, which means that you should contact a personal injury solicitor as soon as you feel ready. They will help to ensure that you get the assistance that you need with ample time to figure out the details of the case. Your solicitor will guide you through the legal process, ensuring that you are never left in the dark. Furthermore, they should help to explain any legal jargon or details that you are confused about so that you are always aware of what is happening in your case.

How Much Compensation Can I Get?

Every accident and injury is unique and therefore compensation is decided on a case by case basis. The extent of your injuries is the most important factor in determining how much compensation you will be owed.

However, compensation also takes into account any financial losses that you might have suffered as a result of your injuries, such as a loss of earnings due to being unable to return to work.

Contact Jefferies Today

At first, we will need some initial details about the specifics of your injuries and how this has impacted your life. Please contact us today on 0333 358 3034 or through our online form to get started. A member of our team will quickly be in touch to discuss your case.