WARNING!! Shopping can seriously damage your health
Accidents in supermarkets are a common occurrence and when you think about it, this is not too surprising given that most of us visit a supermarket at least once a week and when you look at the nature of some of the goods that are sold i.e. loose produce and liquids all of which can create slipping hazards.
Accidents in supermarkets can occur in a number of ways. It may be that you have slipped over and injured yourself as a result of produce or split water / liquid on an aisle floor. Alternatively you may have tripped over an obstacle left in an aisle by one of the stores employees or part of a supermarket display may have fallen on you.
If you have had an accident in a supermarket you should report the incident and ensure that an accident report form is completed. If possible, check the contents of the form. If you can, get names and addresses of any witnesses. Survey your surroundings, take a good look at what has caused your accident and maybe take a photograph of the offending object / spillage / defect with your mobile phone. Check if there any warning signs in situ and the proximity of any members of staff to the incident for example was the aisle in the process of being cleaned or was the supermarket display in the process of being stacked. Get medical attention at the earliest opportunity and ensure you tell the medical professional exactly what happened so that the details of the incident are accurately recorded.
The supermarkets have a duty of care to their customers under the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 to ensure they are kept reasonably safe when visiting their premises.
To comply with their obligations under the act supermarkets should ensure that they have a clearly documented and adhered to inspection and cleaning policy in place and that all members of staff are adequately trained in this respect. The supermarket will have a defence to a personal injury claim if it can demonstrate with documentary evidence that their obligations have been complied with for example, an aisle floor may have been inspected regularly during the day and perhaps only moments before a slipping accident. However a small child may have dropped an ice cream on the aisle floor only seconds before it caused a customer to slip, in this instance the store would probably not be liable. Each case turns on its facts which is why it is important to gather as much evidence as possible.
Whatever the situation and however your accident occurred, it is always worth giving us a call to discuss whether or not you have a valid claim. Feel free to contact Clare or Sarah on 01952 426134. If you refer your personal injury claim to us you could be entitled to £100 bonus payment please see our offer.
For more information please visit:-
http://www.martinkaye.co.uk/services/personal-injury/personal-injury-lawyer-telford.html
