We are solicitors that successfully sue the Co-operative for compensation if employees or shoppers have been injured at a Co-op store. Contact Catherine Smith who can advise on how to claim against the Co-op for personal injury. She introduces our no win no fee service is this video.

Read about accidents at the Co-operative below, or use our free legal advice service opposite to ask us how to sue the Co-operative for an accident.

Personal Injury Claims Against The Co-operative

The Co-operative Group runs a variety of businesses on a mutual basis, meaning it is fully owned by its estimated 6 million members. The group is best known for its 3,000 food stores and supermarkets across the UK, which employ in excess of 110,000 people and have an annual turnover of £13.7 billion, making Co-op the country's 5th largest food retailer. The group also operates hundreds of high street travel agencies, as well as the UK's third largest chain of pharmacies. Co-op is consistently ranked as the top ethical supermarket, running its own farms and heavily promoting Fairtrade products. With a public-orientated business that serves millions of customers each week and employs so many workers, inevitably accidents happen, many the result of negligence on the part of the Co-op or its employees. There are a wide range of potential hazards in large premises such as supermarkets, and both customers and staff are equally at risk of injuring themselves. Under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, Co-op owes a duty of care to all 'lawful visitors' to their premises. This means they must take all reasonable measures to minimise the risk of accidents and injuries at their stores. Where they negligently fail in this responsibility they will be liable to pay out compensation to customers or workers injured through no fault of their own.

Slip & Trip Accidents At The Co-op

Injuries in supermarkets and stores are most regularly the result of slips, trips and falls. Customers may slip over on recently cleaned wet floors, and where this kind of hazard is unavoidable, staff should make sure warning signs and temporary barriers are erected to prevent access. Spilled products in food stores also cause slipping accidents, particularly fruit, dairy products, confectionery and toiletries. Many Co-op stores offer 'breakfast delights' and 'afternoon bites', cold snacks and drinks from the Truly Irresistible premium range, which can be dropped or discarded by shoppers in dangerous areas. Other slipping hazards include leaks from refrigeration units, as we as product wrappers and litter dropped by customers. Stock packaging and product pallets may partially obstruct aisles, and especially at peak times will present a tripping hazard. Falls of this kind can be particularly serious when a person falls and strikes their head on hard surfaces, such as display units or the floor. It is essential for Co-op managers to maintain a proper system of inspection of public areas, and rapid response cleaning. Only with this in place will they be seen to be taking adequate measures to protect the health of their visitors.

Further Causes Of Accidents At The Co-op

Further possible causes of accidents and injuries at Co-op food stores and supermarkets include poorly stacked shelves or displays which may collapse. If large cans of produce have been badly arranged on higher up shelves, they may fall off them, striking adults or children and causing cuts and bruises. Accidents may also take place in outdoor areas, especially car parks, where uneven surfaces and lack of maintenance may create hazardous conditions for visitors. Freezing conditions, and ice and snow in winter pose a particular risk, and hospital admissions for fractures and broken bones normally soar during such periods. Supermarkets and stores must ensure they retain adequate supplies of salt or grit to deal with snow and ice. They must also use these supplies promptly and effectively to reduce the risk of customers and staff slipping and injuring themselves. In rare cases, customers may also be injured by defective or malfunctioning barriers at entrances and exits of car parks, which can fall onto car roofs and windows. Broken glass, discarded syringes and general litter are all potential dangers in car parks, and again an efficient system of cleaning and inspection will minimise the risk of injuries to visitors.

Injuries Among Co-op Workers

Workers at Co-op food stores and supermarkets face many of the same risks as customers, as well as additional specific dangers in the course of their work. Those serving at meat and cheese deli counters for example will regularly have to handle sharp and dangerous implements, and may sustain deep lacerations if they have not been properly trained in how to use them. Co-op stores also bake their own bread on site, and those employees engaged in baking face the same threats as chefs in restaurants. Burns and shocks from hot surfaces and electrical appliances respectively may cause severe injuries, emphasising the importance of management devising, implementing and maintaining a safe system of work that minimises the risk of injuries among staff. Workers engaged in shelf stacking, and those loading and unloading stock, must not be required to lift and carry excessive loads in the course of a shift. Detailed legislation imposes strict limits on manual handling in the workplace, yet injuries are still routinely caused by heavy or repetitive lifting. Management must ensure workers are trained in safe lifting techniques, and that they are allowed regular breaks in the course of a shift. Working practises must also be regularly risk assessed to make sure that a safe system of work is maintained, and the safety of workers is continually monitored and improved.

Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in compensation claims for injuries sustained by both customers and employees at Co-op food stores and supermarkets. We operate on a no win no fee basis meaning if you win your case you keep 100% of the compensation awarded, and if you lose you will not pay a penny.