Have you been injured in a supermarket accident through no fault of your own? If so, you may be wondering what factors can determine how much compensation for supermarket accidents is paid out in personal injury claims.
This guide aims to provide you with all the information you may need about making a supermarket accident claim. Firstly, we explore what compensation can cover, including whether it’s possible to claim for financial losses. We then examine the eligibility criteria for making a claim and take a look at the most common accidents that occur in supermarkets, such as slips, trips, or falls.
You’ll also learn about the process of claiming, including the different types of evidence that could strengthen your case. Lastly, we look at how a No Win No Fee solicitor from our expert panel could help you.
Our advisors work around the clock to provide guidance and answers to any questions you may have. As part of their free advice services, you could receive a free eligibility assessment to see if you have grounds to claim compensation. Please get in touch:
- Call us on 0800 408 7826.
- Use our free live chat service
- Contact us online
Frequently Asked Questions
- How Much Compensation For Supermarket Accidents Could You Get?
- How Is Supermarket Accident Claims Compensation Calculated?
- Can I Make A Supermarket Injury Claim?
- How Long Do I Have To Make My Supermarket Claim?
- What Are The Common Accidents In Supermarket Claims?
- How To Make Supermarket Accident Compensation Claims
- Get Advice From Our Panel Of Solicitors
- More Information
How Much Compensation For Supermarket Accidents Could You Get?
Various factors are considered when determining how much compensation for supermarket accidents is paid out for successful claims. Personal injury claims can consist of 2 types of compensation known as general and special damages. General damages relate to your pain and suffering, while special damages cover financial losses connected to your injuries.
Your solicitor may assess the general damages part of your claim by using the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). It is a publication that collates suggested compensation brackets for different injuries alongside notes on the factors that may influence payouts.
All brackets in the table below, aside from the first entry, have been taken from the JCG. Please note that this table is for guidance only and is not a guarantee of how much compensation you might receive.
| Injury | Comments | Estimated Compensation Payout |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Severe Injuries With Financial Losses | Multiple severe injuries with special damages such as loss of earnings and childcare costs. | Up to £1,000,000+ |
| Very Severe Brain Damage | This bracket considers factors like the extent of insight a claimant has, degree of physical limitation, and the ability to communicate. | £344,150 to £493,000 |
| Moderately Severe Brain Damage | The level of award will depend on factors such as the degree of insight, the ability to communicate, how dependent a person is on others, and the extent of a claimant's behavioural problems. | £267,340 to £344,150 |
| Severe (i) Neck Injuries | A neck injury involving incomplete paraplegia or spastic quadriparesis that is permanent. This bracket can also include cases where a claimant has severe headaches and limited/no neck movement despite a collar being worn 24 hours a day for a number of years | In the region of £181,020 |
| The Most Serious Injuries Short of Amputation (i) | Injuries including extensive degloving of the leg with gross shortening, or fractures that need extensive bone grafting and have not united. | £117,460 to £165,860 |
| Severe (ii) Very Serious Leg Injuries | Cases include injuries that lead to permanent problems with mobility and the need for crutches or other mobility aids. | £66,920 to £109,290 |
| Arm Injuries Resulting in Permanent and Substantial Disablement | Fractures of 1 or both forearms with significant permanent residual disability (functional/cosmetic). | £47,810 to £73,050 |
| Wrist Injuries (a) | Injuries resulting in complete loss of function. | £58,710 to £73,050 |
| Moderate Pelvis And Hip Injuries (i) | Injury is significant but any permanent disability will not be major and future risk isn't great. | £32,450 to £47,810 |
| Severe Shoulder Injury | Most often connected to neck injuries, involving brachial plexus damage that leads to significant disability. | £23,430 to £58,610 |
Do you want to learn more about compensation? Then, please reach out to our friendly advisors for guidance and a free case assessment, or keep reading to learn about how supermarket accident compensation is calculated.
How Is Supermarket Accident Claims Compensation Calculated?
Compensation for supermarket accident claims is calculated on a case-by-case basis and may be influenced by a range of factors. In particular, the following may be considered:
- How long it takes for you to make a full recovery, if at all.
- The severity of your injuries and whether there are any disabilities.
- What impact your injuries have had on your daily activities and overall quality of life. This is referred to as a loss of amenity.
Can I Claim Back Financial Losses?
Yes, you could claim back financial losses resulting from your injuries under special damages. For instance, you might have out-of-pocket costs related to long-term physiotherapy or specialist equipment, such as wheelchairs. You can claim for these and other costs, such as:
- Loss of earnings for things like missed days at work.
- Medical expenses, including private treatments, occupational therapy, and medications.
- Home modifications, such as adapting your hallways to accommodate a wheelchair.
- Cost of extra childcare.
- Travel expenses incurred in order to attend medical appointments.
You must support any financial losses with evidence, which could include invoices, receipts, payslips, and bank statements.
Our advisors are ready to answer any questions you have about special damages and the evidence needed to prove financial losses.
Can I Make A Supermarket Injury Claim?
To make a supermarket injury claim, you must satisfy the following eligibility requirements:
- You were owed a duty of care.
- This duty of care was breached.
- You suffered an injury as a result of the breach.
Occupiers who control public spaces have a duty of care to ensure the reasonable safety of anyone on their premises by taking practicable measures. This duty is set out by the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957.
If an occupier breaches their duty, causing you to suffer an injury in a supermarket, you may have grounds to bring a public liability claim. For instance, you might have a case to claim compensation if you suffer a broken leg when you slip on an aisle spill that isn’t marked with ‘wet floor’ signs.
Do you want to find out if you’re eligible to make a public liability claim? Our advisors are here to help, so feel free to reach out to the team.
How Long Do I Have To Make My Supermarket Claim?
Generally, you have 3 years to start a supermarket accident claim. Per the Limitation Act 1980, this claim time limit usually runs from the date of the incident.
However, there are exceptions for minors and individuals who lack mental capacity since neither group can claim for themselves. Given that, time limits are suspended unless certain conditions are met:
- A child will not be subject to the 3-year time limit until they turn 18. From this date, they will have until their 21st birthday to start a claim.
- For an individual who is mentally incapacitated, time limits will only take effect if they regain the ability to claim independently. If their capacity returns, then the usual 3 years apply from the date of recovery.
In the above situations, a litigation friend can bring a claim on another’s behalf while time limits are paused. The role is often filled by parents, guardians, or solicitors, who perform various case-related duties in the best interests of the claimant.
To learn more about time limits and being a limitation friend, please contact one of our friendly advisors.
What Are The Common Accidents In Supermarket Claims?
Below, you will see examples of common accident in supermarket claims and some scenarios showing why they can happen.
Slips, Trips Or Falls
Slips, trips and falls tend to be one of the most common causes of supermarket accidents, often resulting from management failing to conduct regular risk assessments, mark wet floors, adequately maintain or repair surfaces in aisles or car parks, or remove hazards like unattended pallets.
- Example: While aisles are being cleaned, a supermarket fails to place warning signs informing customers about wet floors. Subsequently, you skid and fall on the slippery surface, breaking a wrist and suffering a back injury that permanently affects your mobility.
Hit By Falling Or Moving Objects
Accidents involving falling or moving objects can be caused by supermarkets not conducting regular inspections, maintaining shelves, or properly stacking items.
- Example: A supermarket overloads its shelves during a promotional campaign and doesn’t properly secure the products. Due to this, you are struck by multiple falling tins, resulting in a severe head injury and a dislocated shoulder.
Defective Equipment Injuries
Some supermarket accidents are caused by defective equipment. Supermarkets may breach their duty of care if they don’t properly maintain, inspect, or repair the equipment.
- Example: While opening a freezer, you suffer an electric shock after coming into contact with an exposed wire. The supermarket knew about the defect but made no attempt to repair the freezer or seal it off. This failure causes you to fall backwards, leaving you with nerve damage and a shoulder injury.
Whether or not these examples are similar to your own experiences, you may have a case to claim compensation. Get in touch today for a free case assessment from our friendly advisory team.
How To Make Supermarket Accident Compensation Claims
To make a supermarket accident compensation claim, it is essential that you provide evidence that shows how you meet the eligibility criteria outlined earlier. The following examples can be beneficial:
- CCTV footage of the incident. You have a right to request CCTV footage of yourself.
- Medical records that detail your injuries, their impact, and what treatment and rehabilitative care you’ve received.
- Contact details of any potential witnesses. These can be passed on to a solicitor, who can collect statements on your behalf.
- Any photographs or videos of the accident scene. For instance, there might be visual proof of a defective shelf or poorly maintained aisle flooring.
- Any correspondence between yourself and the supermarket that is relevant to your claim.
If you’re connected with one of the experienced solicitors from our panel, they could help build up a strong body of evidence on your behalf.
Should An Accident In A Supermarket Be Reported To Staff?
Yes, an accident in a supermarket should be reported to staff as soon as possible. Staff, including management, can ensure you get medical attention and that the incident is recorded in their accident book. This record can support your version of events and be used as evidence for your claim.
Will I Have To Take The Supermarket To Court?
It is unlikely that you will have to take a supermarket to court, as most claims are settled before that might need to happen. While it is rare, claims may go to court in situations like a defendant refusing to admit liability or negotiations failing due to disagreements over compensation.
If you’re connected with one of the solicitors from our panel, they will do everything they can to ensure that your claim has the best possible outcome.
You can find out more about the work of our panel of solicitors and the claims process by speaking to one of our advisors. They’re always happy to help and can answer any questions you may have.
Get Advice From Our Panel Of Solicitors
Our team of advisors are available 24/7, so you can get support at a time that is convenient for you. Following a free case check, you could be connected with one of the No Win No Fee solicitors from our panel.
Their expertise and years of training have helped them win compensation for clients nationwide. It’s also given them the experience needed to support their clients throughout the claims process by:
- Gathering evidence to build a strong claim.
- Connecting clients with specialists, including occupational therapists.
- Explaining unfamiliar terminology and providing clear advice.
- Negotiating with other parties to secure a fair settlement.
- Handling all communications as required.
Those services are offered under the terms of a Conditional Fee Arrangement (CFA), which means that:
- You won’t pay any upfront or ongoing fees for your solicitor’s work.
- You won’t be required to pay any solicitor fees at all if your claim is unsuccessful.
If you win compensation, you’ll pay a success fee for your solicitor’s services. It is subtracted from your compensation, but the percentage is capped. So, you can have peace of mind knowing that you’ll receive the bulk of what you receive.
Contact How Much Compensation
Our advisors work 24/7, ensuring there is always someone on the line. If you’d like to find out whether you can make a claim, get in touch using the details below:
- Call us on 0800 408 7826.
- Use our free live chat service
- Contact us online
More Information
To learn more about personal injury claims, please see some of our other guides:
- See how to make a claim after losing a leg.
- Learn about compensation for serious injury claims.
- Find out about making a gym accident claim.
Additional external resources:
- Government guidance on claiming Statutory Sick Pay (SSP).
- Get help with treating a broken leg from the NHS.
- Advice from the Health and Safety Executive on managing sick leave and returning to work.
Thank you for reading our guide on how much compensation for supermarket accidents you could receive.