By Jo Anderson. Last Updated 26th March 2024. Welcome to this case study covering personal injury claims payouts for a slip in a supermarket. Below, you’ll find details of how much compensation for a fall one person received and how fall claims solicitors help with such claims.
We also discuss the question of ‘What’s the average payout for a slip and fall in the UK?’ We examine how someone could claim for a fall accident in a supermarket, and what could affect the slip and fall compensation amounts they could receive.
We also answer slip, trip and fall claims questions about how much compensation for a fall in the UK you could receive, as well as ‘How long do I have to claim slip and fall compensation amounts?’ Mainly though, we explain how a supermarket floor slip led to compensation for one claimant.
If you have any questions or need help starting your claim, please get in touch with one of the advisors from our team. To speak to an advisor:
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Select A Section
- Case Study – Supermarket Slip And Fall
- Slip And Fall Claims – Who Is Eligible For A Fall Claim?
- How Long Do I Have To Claim Slip And Fall Compensation Amounts?
- How Is Compensation For A Slip In A Supermarket Calculated?
- Do I Need Evidence To Make A Trip And Fall Claim?
- No Win No Fee Supermarket Injury Claims
- Useful Links Relating to Personal Injury Claims For A Slip In A Supermarket
Case Study – Supermarket Slip And Fall
In this case study, we are going to look at the case of Mrs A, a woman in her 40s who suffered a slip in a supermarket. The slip, trip and fall injury happened because the supermarket had been negligent causing Mrs A to slip on a wet floor. So what happened? Mrs A was shopping at a popular chain of supermarket in Preston, near her home. It was winter and the weather was particularly bad. It was raining heavily outside and very windy. Unfortunately, the supermarket had large automatic doors which opened when shoppers entered or left the store.
The wind was blowing rain in through the doors into the store. Rain, mud and damp fallen leaves were also being walked in by shoppers on their shoes, as there wasn’t a mat in place for people to wipe their feet. As Mrs A left the supermarket she slipped on the wet floor. This slip, trip and fall accident resulted in Mrs A suffering a fractured wrist as she instinctively put out her hand to protect herself.
What Injuries Did The Claimant Sustain In Their Accident In A Supermarket?
After her accident in a supermarket Mrs A went to hospital, where she was diagnosed with and treated for a fractured wrist. The effects of a broken wrist or fractured wrist are the same, and as we use our wrists in many daily tasks, from working, to cooking, to driving and our personal care, the results of such an injury can be quite debilitating. It is also a very painful injury. A broken or fractured wrist can take between six to eight weeks to heal and in some cases the victim may experience ongoing effects such as ongoing pain or loss of mobility which may take more time to heal. As you can imagine Mrs A’s injuries would have not only been painful, but would have had an overall negative effect on her quality of life.
If you believe you or someone you know has a broken or fractured wrist, you should look for these symptoms. Symptoms of a broken or fractured wrist can include: bruising and swelling, tenderness, a snapping noise or grinding noise when the injury took place and a tingling and numbness. The wrist may also now be an odd shape. If you are displaying any of these symptoms, seek appropriate medical treatment immediately.
Slip And Fall Claims – Who Is Eligible For A Fall Claim?
You could make a slip, trip, or fall claim if you have been injured due to a third party breaching their duty of care. When in a supermarket, you are owed a duty of care both as a customer and as an employee.
- As a customer – Per the Occupier’s Liability Act 1957 (OLA), the party in control of a public space, such as a supermarket, must take all the necessary steps to ensure your reasonable safety when using that space for its intended purposes. An ‘occupier’ could perform regular trip and slip hazard assessments to reduce the risks of accidents.
- As an employer – Your employer owes you a duty of care, as stated in the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974 (HASAWA). Per this duty of care, they must take all the reasonable steps to ensure your safety while in the workplace.
If either your employer or an ‘occupier’ were to breach their duty of care, causing you to become injured in an accident, you could make a claim. Later in this guide, we will provide some examples of the evidence you could present to prove liability and help support your claim.
Contact our advisors today if you have any questions about slip and fall claims. Our team is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and could offer you free legal advice regarding your potential claim.
How Long Do I Have To Claim Slip And Fall Compensation Amounts?
The Limitation Act 1980, states that you will have three years to start a personal injury claim from the date of the accident. This time limit also applies to slip and fall claims.
However, there are certain exceptions to this time limit. For instance, if a child is injured in a slip and fall, then the time limit is paused until their 18th birthday. Before that day arrives, a claim could be made on the child’s behalf by a court-appointed litigation friend, which might be a family relative or guardian of the child. If a claim has not been made by the child’s 18th birthday, they will have three years to start a claim from that date.
For injured parties that lack the mental capacity to start their own claim, the three-year time limit is suspended indefinitely. A litigation friend could make a claim on the injured party’s behalf when this circumstance applies. However, if an injured party later regains sufficient mental capacity and a litigation friend hasn’t started a claim for them, then the time limit will start from the date of recovery.
For more information on slip and fall compensation amounts or to see if you have enough time to start a personal injury claim, you can contact our advisors today.
How Is Compensation For A Slip In A Supermarket Calculated?
If you’re wondering how much compensation for a fall you could receive, this would depend on the unique circumstances and facts of your case.
If your supermarket accident claim is successful, you could receive a payout that includes two heads of claim; general damages and special damages.
General damages compensates you for the injuries you’ve sustained and the pain and suffering you’ve experienced because of them. There is a publication that can help those calculating general damages, called the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG). It provides a range of guideline compensation brackets for various injuries at different severities.
Below, you can see a table containing figures from the 2022 JCG. This should only be used as guidance, however. We should also mention that the top figure in the table is not from the JCG.
| Injury site | Notes | Guideline Bracket |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple serious injuries inclusive of special damages. | A combination of serious injuries causing not only significant pain and suffering but also financial expense, such as care costs or loss of income. | Up to £550,000+ |
| Neck Injuries – Severe (i) | A neck injury that results in permanent spastic quadriparesis or one that is associated with incomplete paraplegia. | In the region of £148,330 |
| Back Injuries – Severe (i) | Severe damage to the nerve roots and spinal cord that lead to serious consequences and severe pain. | £91,090 to £160,980 |
| Leg Injuries – Severe (iii) Serious | Serious comminuted or compound fractures, or joint/ligament damage that will result in instability. | £39,200 to £54,830 |
| Arm Injuries – Less Severe (c) | The person will have suffered with significant disabilities, they will have made a substantial recvoery. | £19,200 to £39,170 |
| Skeletal Injuries – (b) | Multiple facial bone fractures that result in some form of facial deformity. | £14,900 to £23,950 |
| Knee Injuries – Moderate (i) | A dislocation or torn cartilage/meniscus that results in weakness, wasting and instability in the knee. | £14,840 to £26,190 |
| Ankle Injuries – Moderate (c) | Fractures or ligamentous tears that make it difficult to walk on uneven ground or for a long time. | £13,740 to £26,590 |
| Elbow Injuries – Moderate or Minor (c) | Injuries such as tennis elbow syndrome, lacerations and simple fractures. The recovery time will affect how much is awarded. | Up to £12,590 |
| Hand Injuries – Fracture of Index Finger (j) | The fracture may have mended quickly but the hand’s grip will have remained impaired. | £9,110 to £12,240 |
| Achilles Tendon – Minor (d) | A turning of the ankle that causes damage to the tendon. | £7,270 to £12,590 |
Special damages, on the other hand, compensates for financial losses and costs caused by your injuries.
Special damages can include:
- Travel expenses – For example, costs incurred travelling to medical appointments associated with your injuries.
- Medical expenses – These could include the costs of mobility aids or prescriptions, for example.
- Care costs – For the costs of care at home if you’ve been unable to take care of yourself due to your injuries.
- Loss of income – For loss of earnings caused by your inability to work due to injury.
Presenting evidence of your losses, such as with payslips and bank statements, could help you with claiming special damages.
To discuss slip and fall compensation amounts in further detail, or to get started with a claim, please contact an advisor.
Do I Need Evidence To Make A Trip And Fall Claim?
When you make a personal injury claim, it’s your responsibility to provide proof. Evidence is essential when making a claim, and collecting the right kinds can help you prove who was responsible for your injuries, the circumstances of your slip and fall, and the effect it will have on your life going forward.
Some examples of evidence that you could potentially use to prove your claim can include:
- CCTV footage: Most supermarkets have CCTV systems. If your accident was covered by a CCTV camera, then you may be able to request the footage and use it as evidence in your claim.
- Photographs: Taking pictures of your injuries can help illustrate their severity. Likewise, pictures of the accident scene can help evidence who is at fault.
- Medical records: Your medical records can give needed insight into how severe your injuries are, and what kind of treatments you’ll need to recover.
- Witness statements: You can’t take statements down yourself. However, if you take down the contact details of anyone who witnessed the accident, then a professional can take their statements at a later date.
One of the benefits of working with a solicitor when you make a claim is that they can help you prove your case. A solicitor can take witness statements, request photographs and footage, and even arrange for you to undergo an independent medical assessment.
To learn more about the average payout for a slip and fall in the UK, contact our team. Or read on to learn how one of our solicitors could help you.
No Win No Fee Supermarket Injury Claims
Now we have explained how much compensation for a fall in a supermarket could be appropriate, let us move on to whether you could use a solicitor to help you make your claim.
One of our solicitors may offer to take on your personal injury compensation claim under a No Win No Fee arrangement. This means you would not typically have to pay them upfront for their work. Instead, under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), you would pay them a legally capped success fee out of your compensation payout.
If your slip and fall compensation claim was unsuccessful, and there was no payout, you would not typically have to pay the solicitor for their work.
To learn more about No Win No Fee supermarket accident claims, or to check your eligibility to work with one of our solicitors, please contact an advisor.
- Telephone: 0800 073 8801
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Useful Links Relating to Personal Injury Claims For A Slip In A Supermarket
These guides contain information on how to claim after a slip, trip, or fall in a supermarket. Or for claims against other retailer, or other locations.
A guide to how much compensation you can claim for a injury from falling
How much compensation can you claim for a slip, trip, or fall injury? Find out in this compensation claims guide which covers the claims process, and what special damages you could claim for.
A guide to wet floor injury claims; How much compensation can I claim?
How much compensation can people claim for injuries caused by slipping or tripping on a wet floor? Find out in this guide.