How To Claim Compensation For An Accident In A Shop?

By Jo Anderson. Last Updated 8th December 2023. Welcome to our guide on shop accident claims to receive compensation for an accident in a shop. In this guide, we are going to take a look at accident in a shop claims in greater detail. In doing so, we are going to provide free legal advice and discuss shopping accident compensation in detail. Whether you are at work, in a shopping arcade, or any other public space, there is always a chance that you could be involved in an accident in a shop.

You could be working in a shop, or a visitor to a shop but hazards such as uneven flooring or wet floors that are not signposted well, these hazards have the potential to cause you harm. Should you find yourself in a situation where you are injured in a shop or have a supermarket accident due to a third party’s negligent actions, you may consider taking legal action. After all, the types of injuries that could occur after an accident in a shop may include:

  • Minor to severe bruising
  • Fractured or broken bones
  • Back, neck or spinal cord injuries,
  • Cuts and grazes
  • Head injury

The examples provided above are some of the many injures that could occur if you are involved in an accident in a shop. Some of these may require extensive medical treatment. However,  the most common accidents that take place in a shop include slip, trip or fall accidents. Many individuals will brush off the impact of a slip, trip or fall, thinking it will merely cause trivial damage. However, slips, trips, and falls can contribute to much larger accidents that could give rise to the development of other health concerns and further impact their lives.

Accident in a shop claims compensation

Accident in a shop compensation

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When Could You Claim For An Accident In A Shop?

To be eligible to make a supermarket accident compensation claim you will need to prove that your injuries were caused by someone breaching the duty of care they owed you.

Those who are in control of public places, such as shops and retail centres, owe members of the public a duty of care. Per the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, they must make sure their premises are reasonably safe for the public to use for its intended purposes. This means assessing risks and taking preventative measures to reduce the risk of harm.

Should an occupier of a shop breach this duty of care, for example by not fixing broken fittings or clearing up spillages, and you suffer injuries because of this, you could be eligible to claim compensation.

You could also make a supermarket accident claim as an employee if your employer breaches their duty of care towards you under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 (HASAWA). Per the act, they must ensure they take reasonable steps to avoid you suffering harm because of the work you do or the workplace you perform work in.

To learn more about whether you could make a claim for an accident in a shop, compensation amounts for shop injuries, or who could be held liable for such an accident, please contact an advisor.

What Steps Should You Take After An Accident In A Shop?

You may be wondering ‘what should you do if you have been injured in a store in the UK?’. Well, suppose you have been injured after having an accident in a shop. In that case, there are several things that you should try and do as a way of gathering evidence that may be useful in making a successful shopping accident compensation claim against the shop if you believe them to be liable. If possible, try to do all or at least some of the following:

  • Make sure to see a medical professional so that your injury is seen to and you receive the correct treatment required.
  • Take photos of your injury. This gives visual proof of your pain and suffering.
  • Take photographs of the area where the accident took place.
  • Make sure your accident is recorded in the shop’s accident book. Reporting an accident in a shop is evidence that your accident has been acknowledged by the shop owner and documented. Make sure you ask for a copy.
  • If there were any witnesses to your accident, take down their contact details so that we may obtain a witness statement later on as these can be very beneficial in proving your claim.
  • If there is any CCTV in the area of where you had your accident, ask for a copy of the footage.
  • Keep a copy of any medical expenses you have incurred as a direct result of your accident, and these can be included in your claim.
  • Keep a record of any extra travel expenses too.

The more evidence you can obtain, the stronger your shopping accident claims will be. However, don’t panic if you cannot do some of the steps outlined above. Just do what you can,  and speak to our team if you have any concerns about claiming compensation for an accident in a shop.

How Long Do I Have To Claim Compensation For An Injury In A Shop?

If you are claiming compensation for an injury in a shop, you only have a set amount of time to start your claim. The Limitation Act 1980 states that there is a 3-year time limit to start a personal injury claim. This limitation period begins from the date you were injured in an accident in a shop.

However, some exceptions apply to this time limit. For example, should a child be injured in an accident in a supermarket, the 3-year time limit would not apply until they turn 18. From their 18th birthday, they will have until their 21st birthday to begin a claim.

However, before the injured child turns 18, a litigation friend could make a claim on their behalf. A litigation friend is someone who would be able to make decisions in the child’s best interests and may be a parent or solicitor, for example.

To learn more about how long you have to start your personal injury claim, or about other exceptions to the personal injury claims time limit, you can contact our advisors.

What Can I Claim For After A Shop Injury?

When making shopping accident claims, it is not just the injury itself that can be claimed for, but the whole impact the injury has had on different areas of the claimant’s life. Within this section, we will explore what damages could be claimed for if you have suffered after an accident in a shop that wasn’t your fault.

General Damages

When pursuing an accident in a shop compensation claim against a negligent party, General damages could be awarded to those who endure any degree of physical or psychological trauma. In order for these damages to be taken into consideration, you will be required to attend a medical assessment.

Upon attending the assessment, an impartial medical professional will ask you a range of questions in relation to your injury and perform an examination. In doing so, they will be able to determine what impact it has had on you, its severity, and whether there are any long-term implications.

The information collected will be formally documented in a report, which will later be used to value and support your accident in a shop claims.

Special Damages

  • Medical Expenses – Any expenses such as hospital, prescription or counselling fees incurred as a direct result of your injury should be included in your claim. Keep record of all of the receipts as evidence of money spent.
  • Care Claim – Anyone, such as a relative or friend that has had to take time out of their own life to care for you following your accident can also make a claim for compensation.
  • Loss of Income – Any earnings or potential future earnings that you have lost because of your injury should be included in your claim.
  • Travel Expenses – Keep a record of any extra travel expenses you have had to pay for that has to do with your injury should also be included. This will include any necessary vehicle adaptions you have had to have made.

For financial loss to be factored into your claim, you will be required to provide evidence. Naturally, you might be questioning “what can I provide to show I have suffered a loss?”. Thankfully, you can supply bank statements, receipts and credit scores to support your case.

To discuss your potential for claiming  shopping accident compensation, why not speak to one of our advisors?

Accident In A Shop – Compensation You Could Receive

If you have been injured in an accident in a supermarket, you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim. However, you will need to prove that negligence occurred.

As previously stated, following a successful personal injury claim for an accident in a shop, your compensation settlement will include general damages. This compensates you for the pain and suffering you have endured due to your injury.

Many legal experts will refer to the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG) to help them value general damages in personal injury claims. This is because the JCG lists compensation guidelines for various injuries at different severities. For the table below, we have listed some of the amounts stated in the 16th edition of the JCG, except for the first entry.

However, you should only use this table as a guide. Compensation is awarded on a case-by-case basis, and the factors of your claim could affect how much you receive.

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Reason for Compensation Average Amount Awarded Comments
Multiple serious injuries with financial costs and losses Up to £1,000,000+ Serious combinations of injuries with associated financial losses and costs, such as costs of care, medical expenses and earning losses.
Very Severe Brain Damage £282,010 to £403,990 Claimant unresponsive, change in personality and in a vegetative state.
Moderate Brain Damage (i) £150,110 to £219,070 Some permanent brain damage affecting claimant’s personality and increased risk of epilepsy developing.
Less Severe Brain Damage £15,320 to £43,060 Damage to the head that is temporary and full recovery expected over time.
Severe Neck Injury In the region of £148,330 Severe soft tissue damage, cervical disks and possible fractures causing permanent loss of function and / or disability.
Moderate Neck Injury £24,990 to £38,490 Soft tissue and disk damage, possible needing spinal fusion. Ongoing pain and limited movement.
Minor Neck Injury £4,350 to £7,890 Pain and damage to neck but full recovery expected within up to two years.
Severe Back Injury (i) £91,090 to £160,980 Permanent damage to soft tissue, disks and vertebrae, spinal cord and nerve roots. Disability and chronic conditions.
Moderate Back Injury (i) £27,760 to £38,780 Similar to those above but less severe. Chronic pain and disability.
Severe Shoulder Injury £19,200 to £48,030 Soft tissue damage with pain but full recovery expected, to breaks or fractures and damage to the brachial plexus resulting in chronic pain and permanent disability.

Contact our advisors today to discuss your potential personal injury claim and to receive free advice.

No Win No Fee Claims For An Accident In A Shop

Finding affordable legal representation for accident in a shop claims can be incredibly stressful, especially for those with limited legal knowledge. After all, you never expect to be involved in an accident in a shop, so naturally, you will not have the additional funds to cover the upfront fees when making a claim. It is for that exact reason why our solicitor’s operator on a No Win No Fee basis.

So what are there benefits of No Win No Fee agreements? Should a solicitor agree to handle your claim under an arrangement of this nature, you would have access to the following benefits:

  • No upfront costs to pay.
  • In the unlikely event, we do not win your shopping accident compensation, you would not be required to cover your solicitor’s legal expenses.
  • There are no hidden fees or costs to cover while the claim is ongoing.
  • Should the claim be successful, we simply take a small percentage out of your compensation award amount. 

So basically this means that our clients do not have to pay any upfront costs or any other legal costs during the whole claiming process, therefore not having any negative impact on their finances. No Win No Fee makes it accessible to everyone that has suffered an injury in a shop due to an accident that wasn’t their fault, a chance to get the compensation they deserve.

Talk To Our Team Today

If you have had an accident in a shop that wasn’t your fault and have sustained an injury as a result, then don’t hesitate to contact our team today about making shopping accident claims. One of our advisers would be more than happy to speak with you.

You can contact our team by using one of the following methods:

– Call us at Accident Claims UK on 0800 073 8801.

– Enquire online by clicking here.

– Or, use the live chat feature by clicking the icon on the right corner of the page.

A member of our team will address any questions you have, offer free legal advice, and if they feel you have a valid case, they can connect you to the best solicitors possible when planning to claim compensation for an accident in a shop.

accident in a shop claims

Accident in a shop claims

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Thank you for taking the time to read our guide on how to claim accident in a shop compensation. We hope you’ve learned more about accident in a shop claims.