Going to get the groceries is one of the more mundane chores that most of us have to get done. In most cases, our trips to the supermarket are harmless, except for the extra snacks the kids manage to add to the trolley. However, the supermarket is also a somewhat common place for slip and fall accidents to occur.
A slip, trip or fall can happen at any time and anywhere, and the injuries sustained from this type of injury can have a significant long-term impact on the injured person. If you’re injured in a public place, like a supermarket, you could be entitled to public liability compensation.
If you’re every injured in a public place like a supermarket, it’s important to understand your legal options and the steps you should take. In this article, we’ve put together some information about supermarket slip and fall accidents, including your rights and what you should do when you have an accident in a supermarket.
What is public liability?
Public liability refers to an area of law that deals with the legal obligations of individuals, businesses, or organisations to compensate individuals who have suffered injuries, property damage, or other losses due to their actions or negligence. It encompasses situations where a person or entity is held responsible for injuries or damages that occur on their premises or as a result of their activities.
In Australia, supermarkets have a duty of care to provide a safe environment for their customers. This duty includes regularly inspecting and maintaining the premises to prevent hazards that could lead to slip and fall accidents. Hazardous conditions could include wet or slippery floors, spills that haven’t been cleaned promptly, uneven surfaces, or poorly maintained walkways.
What causes accidents in supermarkets?
Accidents and injuries can happen for a wide range of reasons. In supermarkets, slip and fall accidents are one of the most common types of accidents and they can be caused by numerous things, including:
- Wet or Slippery Floors: Spills that haven’t been promptly cleaned or improperly maintained floor surfaces can create slippery conditions, increasing the risk of falls.
- Inadequate Signage: Failure to provide proper warning signs around spills or recently cleaned areas can contribute to accidents.
- Uneven Surfaces: Uneven or damaged flooring, especially in high-traffic areas, can pose tripping hazards.
- Obstacles and Clutter: Cluttered aisles, misplaced merchandise, or poorly arranged displays can obstruct pathways and lead to falls.
- Poor Lighting: Inadequate lighting can make it difficult for customers to identify hazards on the floor.
What kinds of injuries can happen at supermarkets?
The type of injury a person may sustain will depend on the factors of the situation, however, some common injuries that could occur as a result of a slip and fall accident at a supermarket include:
- Sprains and Fractures: Twisting or falling in an awkward manner can lead to sprains, strains, and even fractures, particularly in the wrists, ankles, and hips.
- Back and Spinal Injuries: The impact of a fall can cause back injuries, including herniated discs and spinal fractures, which may result in chronic pain and reduced mobility.
- Head and Brain Injuries: Head injuries, such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries, can occur if the head strikes the ground or a hard object during the fall.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Abrasions, bruises, and other soft tissue injuries are common from the impact of a fall on hard surfaces.
- Cuts and Lacerations: Broken glass or sharp objects on the supermarket floor can cause cuts and lacerations.
If I’m injured at the supermarket, what are my rights?
An injury in a public place like a supermarket doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re entitled to compensation. Many different factors can influence your entitlement to compensation, including your role in the accident, the cause of the accident, and the extent of the injury.
A claim for compensation for an injury that occurred at the supermarket is known as a public liability claim and it needs to be proven that the responsible party – in this case, the supermarket – was at fault due to negligence and that the accident could have been prevented if they had taken certain actions.
As every case is different, we highly recommend talking to a personal injury lawyer who is experienced in public liability matters. They can help you to understand your options.
What should I do if I’m injured at the supermarket?
If you’re ever involved in an accident at the supermarket, whether it’s a slip and fall accident or an accident of any other kind, you should take the following steps:
Seek medical attention
Ensuring your health and wellbeing is the most important factor. Even if your injury appears to be minor or you’re not sure whether you’re injured at all, taking this step is crucial. Not only are you taking care of your health, if an injury develops over time due to the accident, seeking medical help will be evidence in your matter.
Document the scene
If you’re not too injured, we highly recommend taking photos of the area where the incident occurred. Try to capture the hazard and its surrounding so that you have visual evidence for your claim.
Report the incident
You should report the incident to a staff member and request that they make an incident report. Most businesses and public organisations are aware of this process and it should be a non-negotiable step when an injury occurs on their premises, however, it doesn’t hurt to request that they do indeed create this report.
Get witness details
If there were witnesses to your incident, grab their contact information if possible to ensure that they can provide additional information if needed.
Keep records
We recommend recording information after your injury such as any medical treatment you receive, as well as document the extent/progress of your injury to ensure you can provide accurate information about how the injury has affected your life.
Seek legal advice
Public liability claims can be complex and when you’re already dealing with an injury, the best thing you can do is seek assistance from an experienced public liability compensation lawyer. We can provide you with advice, ensure that you understand all of your options and help to facilitate the entire claims process.
How long do I have to make a claim for compensation after a supermarket injury?
There are strict time limits for making compensation claims in public liability matters, however, these time limits can be dependent on a number of different factors, including how the incident occurred and the type of injuries sustained.
Generally speaking, for public liability matters in Queensland, you usually have three years from when the incident occurred to make a claim for compensation. However, we recommend seeking legal advice sooner rather than later to ensure that we can provide you with accurate information and ensure that you meet any of the strict deadlines in your compensation claim.
What compensation can I get for a supermarket injury compensation claim?
There is no set amount of compensation that a person will receive for an injury that occurs at a supermarket or in any other public place. Rather, factors like the extent of the injury, how it happened and the impact it has had on your life will all play a significant role.
You may be entitled to compensation for the following:
- Medical expenses
- Rehabilitation costs
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering.
To get more of an idea of how much compensation you could get, talk to a lawyer experienced in public liability matters. We can help you to understand your options and provide you with a guideline as to the type of compensation you could receive in your situation.
Have you been injured at the supermarket?
If you’ve had an accident at a supermarket that has left you injured, you could be entitled to compensation and we’re here to help you. We provide our personal injury and compensation legal services in the South East area of Queensland and our extensive experience means that you’re in safe hands when it comes to your compensation claim.
