Can I claim injury compensation for a slip, trip or fall in a shop?

By Ian Morris | Updated April 22nd, 2024

155 questions have been answered on this subject - ask us your question

Quick Answer: Yes, you can claim injury compensation for a slip, trip, or fall in a shop if the accident was due to the negligence of the shop owner or staff. If the shop failed to maintain a safe environment and this failure led to your accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. This compensation can cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Key Takeaways:

Report the Accident: Ensure the incident is documented in the shop’s accident book. Reporting the accident not only creates an official record but also alerts the shop to the hazard.
Gather Evidence: Collect as much evidence as possible at the scene. This includes taking photographs of the hazard that caused the fall, your injuries, and obtaining contact information from witnesses.
Seek Medical Attention: Even if injuries seem minor, it’s crucial to get a medical evaluation. Some injuries, like concussions or internal injuries, might not be immediately apparent.
Legal Time Limits: Be aware of the 3-year time limit for making a claim.
No Win No Fee Agreements: Consider a no win no fee agreement with a solicitor. This arrangement means you won’t have to pay legal fees unless your claim is successful.

We are often contacted by people asking whether they can pursue a compensation claim after being injured in a shop. These incidents occur for many reasons, but it’s usually as a result of a slip, trip or fall.

Shop owners have a legal duty to ensure their premises are safe for customers, but unfortunately, this isn’t always the case. Wet floors, cluttered aisles and poor maintenance can all lead to serious injury. Every year, countless individuals find themselves navigating the aftermath of such accidents. Often facing lost wages as well as the physical and emotional toll of recovery.

Here’s our guide to understanding your rights, the process of making a claim, and how to secure the compensation you deserve following a slip, trip, or fall in a shop.

Am I Eligible to Make a Claim if Injured in a Shop?

It’s not enough to simply be injured while shopping. To make a claim the accident needs to be someone else’s fault and your injury needs to be severe enough. That’s where legal advice comes in handy. A solicitor can help you understand if your experience meets these criteria. They’ll look at the specifics of your case and guide you on what evidence you’ll need to gather.

Eligibility Criteria

Injury severity: The person making the claim must have been injured severely enough to warrant a claim.
Negligence: There must be evidence that the shop owner or staff was negligent in their duty to maintain a safe environment.
Causation: The injury must have been directly caused by the accident in the shop.
Time Limits: Claims must be made within a specific time frame from the date of the accident, typically three years in the UK.

Accidents in shops can also cause the flare up of an old injury. It’s worth noting that you can claim for the worsening of a pre-existing injury as well as any new ones.

Claiming for Injured Children and Other Relatives

If the injury happened to your child you can pursue a claim on their behalf, as a ‘litigation friend’. This could also apply to an elderly parent or vulnerable person that is unable to cope with such matters alone.

The only difference from children’s claims to those of adults is the amount of time available to make a claim. Adults usually have 3 years from the date of the accident, after which you can’t start a claim. However, if under the age of 18, the claimant has until their 21st birthday to do so.

How Much Compensation Can I Claim?

How much compensation you can claim after being injured in a shop is calculated from the severity of the injury, your financial losses and the impact on your quality of life. For example, a wrist injury that has resulted in permanent pain and stiffness could amount to between £10,000 and £20,000. That’s just for the injury itself, not including ‘special damages‘. These relate to incurred expenses and other effects on the injured person’s life, such as lost income.`

Compensation amounts for common fall injuries

There are guidelines issued by the courts for solicitors, but it’s impossible to say exactly how much you can expect as all cases vary. Some example values are listed in the table below for common fall injury claims:

Type of injury	Compensation amount
Neck injury	£2,000 – £140,000
Minor brain or head injury	£2,070 – £11,980
Finger injury	£4,000 – £85,000
Wrist injury	£3,310 – £44,690
Hip or pelvis injury	£3,710 – £24,950
Fractured forearm	£6,190 – £18,020
Permanent back injury	£11,730 – £26,050
Serious shoulder injury	£11,980 – £18,020
Ankle injury	£12,900 – £46,980

It’s important to work with a solicitor who can help you accurately calculate and claim the full extent of compensation you’re entitled to. They will take into account not only your current financial losses but also the potential future impacts of your injury. This comprehensive approach ensures that you receive fair compensation that reflects the true cost of your accident.

Causes of Slip, Trip, and Fall Accidents in Shops

Slip, trip, and fall accidents in retail environments can stem from various hazards. Recognising these common causes can help you understand the circumstances of your accident and the potential liability of the shop owner.

Wet or Slippery Floors: Often caused by spills, leaks, or cleaning without proper signage, these conditions are a leading cause of slips in shops.
Uneven Surfaces: Cracked tiles, loose floorboards, or uneven carpeting can easily trip up unsuspecting customers, leading to falls.
Cluttered Aisles: Cardboard, bags or rubbish on the floor can create tripping hazards. Proper organisation and clear aisles are essential for customer safety.
Inadequate Lighting: Poorly lit areas can obscure potential hazards, making it difficult for customers to navigate safely.
Lack of Warning Signs: Failure to alert customers to potential dangers, such as wet floors or construction areas, can increase the risk of accidents.
Negligent Maintenance: Ignoring necessary repairs or maintenance, such as fixing broken steps and railings or addressing leaks, can lead to hazardous conditions.
Lack of Employee Training: Employees should be trained to address spills promptly, keep aisles clear, and ensure the overall safety of the shopping environment.

There are of course other risks of accidental injury that shoppers may face, such as badly stacked displays falling onto people, or shelving units with sharp edges causing lacerations.

We have also assisted with a number of claims against stores where either shoppers or staff members have been injured while moving large items of stock.

The Types of Injuries You Can Claim For

Claims can be made for the following types of injury, depending on severity:

Minor Injuries: These may include bruises, cuts, and sprains. While considered minor, they can still result in pain, discomfort, and temporary limitations on daily activities.
Moderate Injuries: Such injuries often encompass more severe sprains, broken bones, and dislocations. These injuries can lead to significant pain, require extensive medical treatment, and may necessitate time off work for recovery.
Severe Injuries: The most serious injuries from slip, trip, and fall accidents can include head injuries, spinal injuries, and fractures. These injuries can have life-altering consequences, including long-term disability, chronic pain, and substantial financial burdens due to medical expenses and lost income.
Psychological Impact: Beyond physical injuries, victims may also claim for psychological effects such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), especially if the injury significantly impacts their quality of life.

Proving Fault – Shop Owner’s Responsibility

The legal framework surrounding slip, trip, and fall accidents in shops is grounded in the concept of negligence. Shop owners and operators have a duty of care to ensure their premises are safe for customers. Failure to meet these obligations can lead to liability in the event of an accident.

Legal Duty of Care: Shop owners are legally obligated to maintain a safe environment for customers. This includes regular inspections, prompt clean-up of spills, adequate lighting, and clear walkways.
Risk Assessment: Regular risk assessments should be conducted to identify potential hazards and implement measures to mitigate these risks.
Employee Training: Staff should be adequately trained in safety protocols, including how to prevent slips, trips, and falls and how to respond when they occur.
Breach of Duty: If a shop owner fails to uphold their duty of care and this failure results in an accident, they can be considered negligent. Victims must prove that the negligence directly caused their injuries to claim compensation.
Contributory Negligence: In some cases, the victim’s actions may also contribute to the accident. However, this does not necessarily bar them from claiming compensation. The concept of contributory negligence may reduce the compensation amount but does not eliminate the shop owner’s liability.

Understanding the shop owner’s responsibilities and the legal principles of negligence is crucial for victims considering a compensation claim. It provides a foundation for establishing liability and pursuing rightful compensation for injuries sustained in a shop.

Making a Claim Under a No Win No Fee Agreement

A no win no fee agreement, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), is a contract between you and your solicitor. It can make pursuing a compensation claim more accessible and less risky for the claimant.

Making a claim under a no win no fee agreement can provide peace of mind and financial security as you seek compensation for your injuries. It’s a viable option that ensures you have access to legal expertise without the immediate financial burden.

Case Studies

These real-life examples of successful slip, trip, and fall claims in shops can provide valuable insights and encouragement if you’re considering making a claim. Here we highlight key strategies and factors that contributed to the claimants’ success.

Successful Claims

Case Study 1: A customer slipped on an unmarked wet floor in a supermarket, sustaining a fractured wrist. The claimant’s solicitor was able to prove the supermarket’s negligence by demonstrating a lack of warning signs and failure to adhere to their own safety protocols. The claimant received compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and pain and suffering.
Case Study 2: A shopper tripped over a poorly placed display stand, resulting in a severe ankle injury. Evidence collection, including witness statements and photos of the hazard, played a crucial role. The store admitted liability, and the claimant was compensated for rehabilitation costs and loss of quality of life.
Case Study 3: A person fell down stairs in a shop due to a broken handrail, leading to a back injury. The solicitor highlighted the shop’s long-standing neglect of maintenance issues. The claimant received compensation for long-term medical treatment and adjustments needed at home.

Lessons Learned

Evidence is Key: Immediate collection of evidence, such as photos and witness details, is crucial.
Report the Incident: Ensuring the accident is officially reported to the shop can support your claim.
Seek Medical Attention: Prompt medical treatment not only aids recovery but also provides an official record of the injuries.
Legal Expertise Matters: Engaging a solicitor with specific experience in slip, trip, and fall claims can significantly impact the outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

Let Us Help You to Make Your Claim

Making a successful claim can be challenging, but it’s important to remember that you don’t have to face it alone. With the right guidance and support, you can increase your chances of a favourable outcome.

If you or a loved one has suffered an injury due to a slip, trip, or fall in a shop, it’s essential to seek professional advice. Our team of experienced personal injury solicitors specialises in helping victims like you navigate the complexities of compensation claims. We understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll these accidents can take, and we’re here to support you every step of the way.

By choosing our services, you’ll benefit from:

A free consultation to discuss your case and understand your legal options.
Expert guidance on gathering the necessary evidence and building a strong case.
A no win no fee agreement, ensuring you don’t face any financial risk when pursuing your claim.
Compassionate and personalised support tailored to your unique circumstances.

Let us help you to focus on what truly matters – your recovery and well-being.

You can start your claim online or , and one of our expert team will be in touch. Alternatively, call us on 01225 430285. We’ll only need a few minutes of your time to let you know if you can make a claim.

155 questions have been answered on this subject - ask us your question

Comments & Questions

Read on for questions and advice about claiming...

I am not quite sure what to do about this. I recently went to a Londis store. There were workers on the out side – I noticed an electric cord going into the shop – the doors are automatic. As I walked into the open door the electric cord curled and my left foot got caught – I would have been able to step out of it but the door closed tightening the cord around my ankle – I fell – the shop was quite full. I was in total shock – as this is my worst fear. In Aug 2021 I snapped both my wrists in a nasty accident and I have only just managed to get my nightmares under control. When I fell – I landed with force on my knee, hip and hands. My knees are bruised and sore, my hip is really hurting and I have degenerating arthritis so it is now very sore when I walk and very sore at night. My wrist is also very painful. I work for myself and I make all my products – I am finding it very painful to work. I have booked to do so summer markets & I now fear that I am not going to be able to get done what I need to get done. The last 2 nights have not been OK – both due to the physical pain, but also my I did not quite know what to do. I thought I would be OK, but actually I am not. The feeling of being anxious when I am out is back again.

Given the cause of your accident, you have a very valid basis upon which to pursue a claim against the store in question or the contractors who failed to take adequate precautions to prevent injury. My view is that the store/contractors have been negligent in this regard. When allowing a cable to be on the floor, it is a potential tripping hazard. The cable should have been placed within a marked cable cover that would have prevented it from being caught on your foot or ankle – there should have been adequate hazard warnings and the automatic doors should have been set to remain permanently open during the work that was being done as this would have prevented the cable from being moved by the doors. As you can see, there are a number of issues where the store/contractors have been negligent in this matter.

In terms of your previous accident and nasty injuries, it is obvious that any new trauma is likely to trigger a recurrence of anxiety and distress. You obviously have suffered painful physical injuries which should be seen by your GP, but you should also discuss the psychological impact of this fall with your Doctor in order that your medical records note how you are feeling. If the anxiety, nightmares or trauma continues longer term, return to your GP and seek an appropriate referral to speak with a specialist. This will make it much easier for a Solicitor to evidence your injuries and demonstrate how much this incident has impacted you when it comes to negotiating a settlement for your claim.

If you do incur a loss of income or if you’re left out of pocket by the incident, you should be able to recover those costs by way of the special damages element of any settlement you obtain. This may include the costs you have paid for summer markets and the trade lost if you are unable to attend any of the events you had booked to be at.

Our specialist Solicitors will ensure that your claim is handled in the most efficient way and we’ll be here to assist you throughout the process if you have any questions or need any help.

I went to a well-known store to pick up groceries 3 weeks after I had my baby. I was carrying my baby in a baby carier, so I didn’t see the washing liquid spilled on the shop floor. I slipped and defendant denied my claim because spillage happened 8 minutes before I fell. I have sustained back and hip pain since then. I can’t breast feed properly due to the pains, I can’t look after my 2 autistic children properly due to the pain

If a supermarket can demonstrate that they carry out an adequate cleaning regime and undertake routine inspections of the aisles of their store, they will not be liable if a spillage or substance is on the floor for a short space of time. Generally, the courts have ruled that if a supermarket can show that they checked an aisle every 30 minutes and that in between doing so, no spillages were reported by customers, they will not be liable.

In your case, unless the spillage of washing liquid was in clear eye sight of a staff member or reported to them, the fact that it has only been on the floor for 8 minutes means it is unlikely that you can succeed with a claim – despite the painful injuries that you have sustained.

I slipped in a shop on food on the floor. This resulted in a trip to A & E at the local hospital. I had gone away for a few days on my own. This was a big thing for me as I’d lost my husband a year ago and have struggled. Recently as I’ve been doing so much better I decided on a few days away. My wrist is fractured, bruising etc. limiting what I can do . I live on my own, this has really set me back both physically and emotionally.

Given your personal circumstances, it is understandable that such a traumatic incident and nasty injury would have a massive impact on you physically and emotionally. We would be delighted to help you to make a claim for compensation on a No Win No Fee basis. Please call us on 01225430285 for further help.

My mom walked around jd and there was boxes all on floor my was negotiating boxes all over walk way and crates in doing so a staff member had left a long metal rod hanging Off a metal shelf it caught my mom right in the corner of her eye. It brought blood to surface and bruise. I made them log it in accident book.manaer brought a cold compress down it was that heavy the metal pole it’s mis aligned my moms glasses and caused her glasses to indent her skin where glasses got pushed in.

Please call us on 01225430285 so that we can help your Mother to pursue a claim for personal injury compensation. Our No Win No Fee process guarantees that no costs will be payable if the claim doesn’t succeed and it would seem that your Mother has a strong case for compensation.

Alternatively, you can email us at justice@direct2compensation.co.uk to provide a contact number and request a call, or use our website claim form to request further assistance from us.

Good morning.

I tripped on a tiny step going into a nail salon. I received a very nasty bruise on my upper arm and my middle finger on my left hand was broken. It resulted in months of physio.
I don’t think it was logged, if they have an accident book. There was only a tiny sign to the side of the step that said Mind the Step. Also I was told the owner did nothing about making the step more visible as she didn’t want the aesthetics of the floor changing.
This happened about a year ago and I’m still unable to fully close my finger. The physio said it is unlikely it will fully close now.
Do you think I have a case?
Thank you

If there is a potential tripping hazard or a change in floor height that is not visually obvious, there is a duty of care on a venue or business to provide a clear indication and warning of the need to be aware of the issue. As such, you’ll often see clear differentiation in colour of the step so that it is obvious or a clear visual warning sign. It would appear that the shop owner has breached their duty in this case.

However, as it would appear that there is no record of the incident and your immediate injury symptoms being on record with the shop in question that may well weaken the potential of any claim you may go on to pursue.

It would be prudent at this time to contact the company in question, pointing to your appointment on that day to ask what record they have of the accident. If they have not made a record, you could respond and list the injuries you sustained (pointing out the lack of signage and invisibility of the step).

If there wasn’t an accident book entry, if you had medical treatment fairly soon after the incident and your medical records point to a trip on a step you hadn’t seen, a claim may then be viable. (Photographs of the step and lack of signage would be needed).

My Auntie caught her foot on a store display cabinet near the tills. As a result, she fell and broke her hip requiring a full hip replacement. The store have actioned their loss adjusters who are investigating. They are saying that no one else has ever hurt themselves on the display units, but we are wondering if they are negligent? Also, they lied on the accident form! They logged that the fall was due to an illness and not an accident! And that she felt ‘dizzy’ before the accident, which is completely untrue.

Have you contested the discrepancies/inaccuracies on the accident report form with the store and their insurers? If not, you should do so (in writing) at the earliest opportunity to ensure that potentially misleading evidence that could be in favour of the defendants cannot jeopardise any future claim for compensation.

With the cause of the incident being a trip on an in-store display stand, it is unclear at this stage as to whether or not a claim is viable. Display stands are a normal and regularly seen fixture within a supermarket or large store. However, if the feet or base of the display stand protrudes in to an area that customers would expect to walk without obstacle, it can be possible to succeed with a claim. With this in mind, do you have (or can you obtain any?) any photographs of the display stand in question?

My Mum fell when going into a supermarket as the mat was rucked up and she caught her foot in it. She uses two sticks and fell straight on to her face. An Ambulance was called as she lost consciousness. Mum has fractured her nose and suffered a very bruised face and knees. She has had to attend hospital again since the initial treatment for check up on nose. My Mum is 88 and has been in a lot of pain since the accident and now she doesn’t want to go out at all. I have requested a copy of cctv which I am waiting for. Could I make claim on her behalf?

We can certainly help you to make a claim for your Mother. If you have a power of attorney in place for your Mother’s legal affairs, you can make this claim for her, but if not, your Mum would need to be the actual claimant – but you can certainly assist with this and our Solicitors can work with you to settle this matter in favour of your Mum.

Our Solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis and you can pursue a claim without any anxiety about the costs should the matter not succeed. For further help, please call us on 01225430285 or use our website form to provide more information and we’ll have our specialist Solicitors on to this for your Mother.

I was walking down the stairs in an estate agents shop today and the last step gave way causing me to twist my ankle. I thought it was okay after a few minutes, but since resting I am having issues standing flat on my foot. Can you advise me if I have a claim? I have not sought medical advice yet and was not given any book or medical treatment on site, just a verbal apology.

You have valid grounds to pursue a claim and our Solicitors can make your claim for you on a No Win No Fee basis. For further help, please call us on 01225430285 or use our website to start your claim for compensation.

In terms of recording the details of the accident, you should email the estate agents to report the accident, stating what happened, where and when and what symptoms you have developed. You can mention that the incident was not recorded in writing at the time and that you hadn’t initially realised that you had sustained injury and that you simply want to ensure that there is a record of the incident.

That you didn’t appreciate the severity of injury immediately is not uncommon. Indeed, many people who suffer a soft tissue injury initially feel that they have avoided any serious damage, only for symptoms & increasing pain to develop in the hours and days after the incident. However, whilst not seeking immediate medical attention will not damage your prospects in your claim, it is important that you do seek medical attention by making a GP appointment or attending a minor injuries unit to ensure that the injury can be assessed and treated, along with ensuring medical evidence will be in place to support any claim you may make.

Good morning

I hope that you are well.

I have been hurt by a wine bottle in the shop – the shop assistant was showing me the bottle and it fell on my ankle. I am in a lot of pain today. Can you advise me whether I have any claim?

Kind regards

Jeannette

You may well have grounds for a claim given the cause of your injury. Although the incident was an ‘accident’, it is likely that it will be possible to establish that the fault rests with the shop and their insurers in this matter.

If an accident book entry was not completed at the time, please ensure that you put something in writing with the shop in question (whether that be by returning to their store, or by emailing them to report your injury) as this will provide vital evidence to support any claim you may pursue.

We also need to consider the severity of your injury to ensure that it meets the required level. With this in mind, when did you suffer the injury and have you had medical treatment? You may prefer to provide further details via the form on our website to see if you can make a claim, or you can email us directly at justice@direct2compensation.co.uk

Yesterday I was in a shopping centre and slipped on a spilled milkshake outside one of the shops in the mall. I now have pain in my hip. There was no wet floor sign and no staff around as I wasn’t in an actual shop. I was embarrassed and jumped up quickly, some people asked if I was ok but I left the scene quickly out of shock and embarrassment wanting to get out of the crowd gathering. Could I make a claim here?

You could pursue a claim given the circumstances of your fall and injury. In order to ensure that your claim has the best possible chances of succeeding, it is important to get the details of the accident recorded with the shopping mall in question. To this end, you should call them or email them at the earliest opportunity to report the incident. You should provide as much detail as possible – the location of the accident, the time of the accident and details of any injuries sustained along with your name, date of birth and contact information.

I just slipped on a marketing poster in a store. I’ve hurt my knee. The store staff were quite humiliating and took a long time to acknowledge I fell. I had meetings so had to leave the store and now I’m home, am in terrible pain. Can I still call the store to ensure it was logged?

The store staff should have taken your name and any details of injuries sustained immediately and the fact that they did not do do, will reflect poorly on them. You can absolutely still contact the store – indeed you should do so to protect your interests. You can either go in person or call their store or head office (although you may want to put a report of the incident and injuries to them via email in order to ensure that there is a written record available) to ensure that details of the incident have been properly recorded.

You absolutely have a right to make a claim if your injuries warrant the same as the cause of your fall can be attributed to negligence in that the marketing posted should not have been on the floor at the time.

Our specialist personal injury Solicitors can assist you on a No Win No Fee basis in pursuit of compensation.

I tripped over a crate in a shop doorway on 25/3/21. Thought all was ok but not- rotator cuff injury. Been to physio and osteopath and had steroid injection. To date spent £1461 on treatment fees let alone travel costs to osteo which is 20 miles from hone – live in rural village. I’ve not been back to shop since or checked whether incident was recorded in shop. Is there anything I can do now or have I left it too long?

A bottle of Prosecco fell from my basket while in Asda straight onto my big toe . When I went to the till I saw that the basket had split on both sides and that’s where the bottle dropped from. I told the till assistant and asked another member of staff to remove the basket as it was broken. I also completed an incident report with a manager and she took a photo and said there was already a bruise. It has been bruised for over a week and two toes sore with my nail still sore too touch. I think I should be entitled to some compensation but thought that Asda would have contacted me?

The fact that the store have failed to contact you is irrelevant in terms of a claim for personal injury compensation. The key thing here is that you have reported the incident and the details of the broken basket and your injuries have been recorded by staff members.

Have you sought any medical attention? If not, we would recommend that you do so and we do feel that you are in a position to make a claim for personal injury compensation. Our Solicitors can advise you further in this matter and if viable, they would make your claim on a No Win No Fee basis.

You are within the 3 year claim limitation period so you are in position to make a claim. It would be sensible to check whether the shop in question have a record of your injury happening as if there is no record of this and no witness, it may be difficult to succeed with a claim.

While shopping in a department store on the 23rd December, I slipped within 5 mins of entering the store on the floor and fell heavily. Since this fall I have been suffering from extreme pain in my lower back and my right arm. I spoke with manager today and filled in an accident form and that was it. What’s my situation here? Can I make a claim? I am looking for advice.

What caused you to slip and fall? If the floor was wet with no hazard sign on display, or if there was another slipping hazard on the floor (such as a discarded plastic tag or display stand etc), you could well pursue a claim on a No Win No Fee basis for personal injury compensation.

I fell in M and S in Belfast on 2nd Nov and broke my hip and dislocated my shoulder I spent 23 days in hospital now having physio at home.
My leg got stuck behind the leg of a display stand as I tried to move sides.
Ways along the display and momentum just carried me on to the floor with nothing to break my fall. The leg of the stand was out at a small angle to the shelves.
Do I have a claim?
I received a letter from the store wishing to reach out to me and wishing me a quick recovery.

You have a right to make a claim for personal injury compensation. The system for pursuing claims in Northern Ireland differs from that of England, Wales and Scotland, but don’t worry – we can still help! One of our specialist Solicitors has a link with a firm in Northern Ireland who are able to pursue matters for claimants in that jurisdiction.

I went into a charity shop in my High Street. It was raining outside. I was walking on crutches the entrance of the shop had a mat. Almost as soon as passing the mat i walked on the shiny tiled floor. i have an amputated foot and cannot weight bear on my left foot. i have to put my two crutches first and hop forward. i had managed to do this once and when i tried the second step both crutches slipped forward on the tiled floor.

If there were no hazard warning signs on display within the store, you are likely to have valid grounds to pursue a claim for personal injury against their insurance cover. It is likely that the floor was wet and therefore slippery due to rain water having been trodden in to the store by customers and the matting was inadequate in terms of being able to prevent excess water making its way on to the tiled floor surface. As such, the lack of a hazard sign is likely to be seen as negligent.

Claims for compensation after tripping over an item left in a shop aisle are matters that our Solicitors pursue on a daily basis. In your case, much will depend on how long the basket was present and whether the shop staff had failed to identify the risk to customers and remove the basket in a reasonable time. You have done the right thing in contacting the shops Head Office once home as the details of the incident should have been recorded immediately in store. However, at least a record has since been made. The way the staff have handled the matter in store is far from ideal and indicates that their approach to customer service and health and safety management is at best, questionable. With this in mind, you have valid grounds to seek to pursue a claim against the company in question for the injuries you have sustained and the impact the injuries will have on you, your independence and also your partner.

We would be very happy to pursue this matter and have our specialist Solicitors consider a detailed enquiry for you.

You have a right to make a claim and the fact that the injury was 2 years ago, means that you are within the 3 year claim limitation period.

However, the problem you will face is one you have already identified – the fact that you did not report the injury correctly at the time of the incident. As the defendant has no record of the incident, they will simply refute any claim and put the onus on you to provide evidence that the injury was caused when you state it was caused and because of the reason you describe (damage to the ground surface at the shop in question).

My 6 year old has just slipped on a wet floor in our local spar shop. There seemed to be a puddle on the floor at the back of the store but there was no warning sign for a wet floor. He’s bumped his head and hurt his hand. After the incident they mopped the floor and put a sign up but no apology. A customer in the shop gave him some sweets and we left. I called the shop after and asked them to log it into the accident book and they agreed that they would. I am not happy at the safety due to no sign and my son has taken a fall because of this.

There is certainly potential to pursue a claim against the store in question as they have been negligent in failing to provide adequate warning of the risk of slipping or ensured that the leak/spillage was dealt with. We now need to see whether the injuries sustained by your Son are sufficiently serious to warrant a claim for personal injury compensation.

As you have ensured that the incident has been logged properly in the accident book, you have ensured that there will be evidence in place to support a claim should one be pursued in due course. We would recommend that your Son’s injuries be reported to his GP in order that medical evidence is also in place.

I have just been injured in a shop. I tripped over a shoe box on the floor and I saw the man from shop moving it after I fell. I fell right over hitting the hard floor. I put my hand out to stop myself and I have sprained that wrist. My leg is very bruised and painful and my veins are stuck out. It hurts to walk. The staff crowded round but I immediately tried to get up as I was so embarrassed. I even made a purchase even though I felt incredibly sick when I left the shop. There was no accident book entry as I didn’t even think about this because I was just so embarrassed, but I now I am on severe pain. I don’t think it’s broken but my leg looks bad swollen with severe bruising. I didn’t even think about asking for an accident book entry as I just felt ashamed.

Don’t worry about the accident book issue – the fact that you didn’t think to report the incident properly immediately is understandable as you would have been in pain, shocked and as you say, embarrassed.

We strongly recommend that you contact the shop in question today to request that the accident book entry be made. Make sure that you list the cause of your fall as the shoe box that was then moved and list any injuries sustained.

Once this is done and medical attention has been sought, please call us on 01225430285 as you appear to have strong grounds to pursue a claim for the injuries you have sustained.

My wife slipped and fell backwards on a mall entrance floor, she knew straight away she had been injured as she couldn’t walk. I couldn’t lift her up, security staff helped to pick her up, a wheelchair was provided for her. I was mad because it was raining outside and the polished floor was awash with trodden in water, no hazard signs. I took photos of the floor and of my wife in the wheelchair I demanded it was put in their accident book. 10 weeks on my wife still has back pain, physio said it would last 6 to 10 weeks.

The scenario you describe regarding your wife’s injuries appears to confirm that this matter should proceed immediately as a valid claim for slipping accident compensation given the lack of hazard signs on display and the fact that the venue allowed a foreseeable risk to remain in situ without action.

Our Solicitors can seek compensation for the injuries sustained, the pain and discomfort caused and the longer term consequences of the fall, potentially including physiotherapy costs.

Can I claim injury compensation for a slip, trip or fall in a shop?