Accident in Shop Compensation Claims

An accident in a shop can happen suddenly and without warning, especially when health and safety measures are not followed correctly. Wet floors, poorly secured shelving or trip hazards can lead to injuries that disrupt your daily life and result in unexpected medical expenses or time away from work. If an accident in a shop occurred because safety measures were not followed, you may be able to pursue an accident in shop compensation claim.

At JMW, we support people who have been injured in shops, supermarkets and shopping centres due to someone else’s negligence. Our personal injury solicitors handle shop accident claims across England and Wales so you can get the support and financial recovery you need.

To speak to a specialist personal injury solicitor about accident-in-shop compensation, call 0345 872 6666 or complete our online enquiry form.

How JMW Can Help

JMW provides advice and representation for people bringing an accident in a shop compensation claim. We have been recognised by the Legal 500 and Chambers & Partners guides for our expertise and the quality of the legal service we provide. Our experienced solicitors understand how shop accidents happen and how injuries sustained in retail environments can affect work, mobility and independence.

We act quickly to gather evidence, review medical records and assess financial losses linked to shop accident claims. This includes lost earnings, travel expenses, medical appointments and other costs arising from the injury. Throughout the process, we keep communication clear and straightforward, so you understand what is happening at each stage of your shop accident compensation claim.

Meet Our Team

Our personal injury team is experienced in pursuing accident claims against shops, and will support you throughout the process, from the moment you call us to final settlement.

How Accidents in Shops Happen

Shops have a duty of care to customers under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. However, accidents can and do occur, particularly when hazards are not identified or addressed promptly. Retail premises are busy environments, with customers moving through aisles, entrances and checkout areas throughout the day. When safety regulations are not followed, this can lead to injuries caused by preventable risks.

Common causes of shop accidents include:

• Wet and slippery floors
• Poor lighting
• Uneven surfaces
• Items falling from shelves
• Spills that are not cleaned up quickly
• Trip hazards such as stock, packaging or cleaning equipment left in walkways
• Uneven flooring or loose tiles on the shop floor
• Poor lighting in aisles or entrances

The owners of shops, whether they are small shops, large supermarkets or busy shopping centres, have a legal duty to carry out regular risk assessments and take reasonable steps to keep customers safe. When this duty is not met and an accident occurs, you may be entitled to claim compensation for an accident in a shop.

Common Injuries Caused by Shop Accidents

The extent and nature of your injury will depend on the circumstances of the accident. Common injuries include back injury, fractures, soft tissue injuries and head or brain injuries. Some people experience ongoing pain that affects their ability to work or carry out everyday activities.

You should always seek medical attention after an accident in a public place. As well as protecting your health, a medical record of the extent of your injuries will play an important role in any claim you later decide to make.

Who Is Responsible for a Shop Accident?

Responsibility for a shop accident often rests with the shop owner or the organisation that manages the premises. They have a legal duty to follow safety regulations, carry out regular risk assessments and address hazards such as wet floors, poor lighting and shelving that is not properly secured.

In some situations, responsibility may lie with another party, such as a management company responsible for maintaining a shopping centre, a contractor carrying out cleaning or maintenance work or another business operating within the premises. Where different parties share control of an area, more than one organisation may be involved.

Establishing who is responsible is a key part of shop accident compensation claims. Our specialist solicitors can review the circumstances of the accident, assess who had control of the area where the injury occurred and advise on whether a claim may be brought against the appropriate party.

What to Do After an Accident in a Shop

Taking certain steps after a shop accident will strengthen evidence that you will later need to support your compensation claim:

• Seek appropriate medical attention and attend follow-up medical appointments.
• Ask staff to record the incident in the shop’s accident report book.
• Take photographs of the accident scene where possible.
• Gather witness contact details so a solicitor can contact them later.
• Keep a record of any medical expenses, travel expenses and lost income.

This information can help demonstrate how the accident occurred and the impact it has had.

The Process of Claiming for an Accident in a Shop

Establishing how the accident occurred and whether it was caused by someone else’s negligence is central to making a shop accident compensation claim. This may involve showing that safety regulations were not followed, warning signs were not in place or the premises were not properly maintained.

A shop accident compensation claim typically involves several key stages:

• Contact JMW: when you speak with our personal injury solicitors, we will assess the circumstances of the accident and explain the next steps.
• Gather evidence: your solicitor will take the lead in gathering evidence such as medical records, a log of the accident in the store’s accident book, witness statements and details of the accident scene.
• Prepare and submit the claim: your solicitor will prepare and submit the report to the insurer or organisation responsible for the premises.
• Pursue compensation: if liability is established, you will receive compensation for your injury and any related financial losses.
• Next steps: if agreement can’t be reached, your solicitor will consider further action, including representing you in court, to secure your compensation.

In some situations, you may bring a claim on behalf of someone else, such as a child or a person who lacks mental capacity. Our personal injury solicitors can explain how this works and advise on whether a shop accident compensation claim may be appropriate.

Time Limits for Shop Accident Claims

There is a time limit for bringing accidents in a shop claims in England and Wales. In most cases, this is three years from the date the accident occurred. Different rules can apply where the injured person is a child or lacks mental capacity.

Although three years may seem like a long time, you should always seek advice from a personal injury solicitor as soon as possible, as the sooner a claim is brought, the easier it will be to gather witness statements and secure the relevant evidence to support your case.

Can I Claim if I Work at the Shop?

If you work in a shop, and have been injured in an accident through no fault of your own, the accidents at work solicitors at JMW can support you to pursue a claim.