Supermarket Accident Compensation

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Accidents & Injuries At Supermarkets

Millions of shoppers visit their local supermarket on a daily basis, while the major industry players employ roughly three quarters of million people throughout the UK. Given this weight of numbers it is unsurprising that tens of thousands of supermarket accidents occur each year. Both employees and visitors are broadly protected under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, which requires that supermarket owners take all 'reasonable' measures to ensure their premises are 'reasonably safe' for their 'lawful visitors'. Though supermarkets are generally tightly controlled by management in terms of safety procedures, their sheer size and ever increasing number of products on offer means that threats to visitors' well-being are often neglected and are impossible to eliminate altogether. The risk of accidents caused by the negligence of employees is also increased by the fact that the typical supermarket workforce is most often transient, part-time and heavily weighted towards young people.

Typical Causes Of Supermarket Accidents

Slips, trips and falls are the most common type of accident that take place in supermarkets. Slips may be caused by wet floors, or where cleaning liquids have not been fully absorbed. An array of products may also be spilled on supermarket floors and not cleaned up sufficiently quickly, presenting a hazard to both customers and employees. This can range from crushed grapes to milk and toiletries. A further danger of slips is presented by leaks from cold storage units and from general litter discarded by shoppers. Trips may result from obstacles such as packaging materials or pallets being left in aisles, or from torn and frayed carpeting in doorways. Injuries resulting from slips and trips can be particularly severe where a person falls onto a hard surface or edge, such as a display unit or piece of shelving. Car parks are also regular scenes of supermarket accidents, with hazards including potholes or snow and ice in winter. Other less common supermarket accidents include people being struck by falling aisle signs and objects from shelves, or those who are knocked over by employees pushing stock cages on wheels.

Injuries To Supermarket Workers

Supermarket employees also face a variety of hazards in the course of their work beyond those posed to regular visitors. Workers on meat, fish, bakery and cheese counters use sharp implements and cutting devices when serving customers. The slightest slip can lead to severe lacerations and even injuries which require amputation of limbs in extreme cases. Shelf stackers are at risk of manual handling injuries, particularly strains and sprains when they are required to lift and carry excessive loads. Checkout workers may develop repetitive strain injuries in the upper body if they do not take sufficient breaks, or if their counter is ergonomically inadequate. Finally any employee involved in the cooking or handling of hot food in a supermarket may be vulnerable to scalding, burns or electric shocks from spills or contact with hot surfaces and electrical appliances.

Supermarket Accident Compensation Claims

Employers have a duty of care to both visitors and employees to prevent the risk of injuries occurring as far as reasonably possible. This will involve formulating and enforcing an adequate system of cleaning and inspection. The basic principle for employees is that spills and similar hazards should be eliminated as soon as they become evident. Where this is not possible, warning signs should be immediately erected and form an adequate barricade to protect visitors. Hourly inspections should take place to further minimise risks. With regard to workers, employers must ensure they are properly trained, supervised and provided with appropriate protective equipment where necessary. All work and equipment should be regularly risk assessed and health and safety procedures reviewed.

Bartletts Solicitors are specialists in supermarket accident compensation claims, having successfully represented both injured supermarket visitors and employees. We work on a no win no fee basis meaning if you win your case the supermarket's proprietors will pay all of your legal fees, and if you lose you will not pay a penny.

Read More In Our Blog: Can I Claim Against A Supermarket?

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