If you’ve slipped, tripped or fallen in a supermarket because of a hazard the store should have prevented, you can make a supermarket accident claim for compensation. Supermarkets and shops have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for customers under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. When they fail to do that — a spillage left too long, a poorly stacked shelf, an obstructed aisle — and you’re injured as a result, you’re entitled to claim.
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Common Causes of Supermarket Accidents
Supermarket accident claims typically arise from:
- Spilled liquids or food — left unmarked and uncleared on the floor
- Wet floors after cleaning — not signposted with warning signs
- Ill-stacked or falling shelving — stock that topples onto a customer
- Trailing cables, mats, or trip hazards — around checkouts, displays, or entrances
- Obstructed aisles — trolleys, pallets, or stock left in walkways
- Poor lighting — hiding a hazard a customer couldn’t reasonably see
- Employee negligence — a staff member’s actions directly causing your fall
What You Need to Prove for a Supermarket Claim
A supermarket isn’t automatically liable just because you had an accident on its premises. To succeed with a claim, you generally need to show:
- A hazard existed — the spillage, obstruction, or defect that caused your fall
- The store knew, or should have known, about it — either because staff caused it, were told about it, or a reasonable system of regular floor inspections would have caught it in time
- The store failed to act within a reasonable time — leaving the hazard unaddressed or unsignposted for longer than was reasonable given the circumstances
This is why evidence matters so much in slip-and-fall claims. Supermarkets are expected to run regular cleaning and inspection schedules, and their own records — or the absence of them — often become central to proving negligence.
Evidence That Strengthens Your Claim
- CCTV footage — most supermarkets record continuously, but footage is often only kept for a limited period, so requesting it early is important
- An incident report — ask a manager to log the accident in the store’s accident book at the time, and get a copy or reference number
- Photos — of the hazard itself, taken as soon as possible after the fall, before it’s cleared away
- Witness details — anyone who saw the accident or the hazard beforehand
- Medical records — from a GP, pharmacist, or A&E visit, confirming the injury and when it was reported
What Compensation Can You Claim?
Compensation for a supermarket accident claim typically covers:
- General damages — for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by your injury
- Special damages — loss of earnings, medical and physiotherapy costs, travel expenses, and the cost of care or assistance you needed while recovering
The value of a claim depends on the severity of the injury, from a minor bruise or sprain to a fracture or long-term mobility issue following a fall. Each case is valued individually based on medical evidence.
How Long Do You Have to Claim?
You generally have three years from the date of the accident to start a supermarket accident claim. This is the standard limitation period for personal injury claims in England and Wales. Acting promptly matters in slip-and-fall cases in particular, since CCTV footage is often overwritten within weeks and witness memories fade quickly.
Our Claims Process
- Free consultation — we assess whether you have a valid claim and explain your options, in person, by phone, or via Zoom, Teams, WhatsApp, or Skype
- No win no fee agreement — we take on eligible cases without upfront cost to you
- Investigation — we trace the responsible party, request CCTV and incident records, and gather witness and medical evidence at no charge to you
- Negotiation — we deal directly with the supermarket’s public liability insurer
- Resolution — most claims settle without going to court; where they don’t, we represent you throughout
Why Choose Adam Bernard Solicitors?
- Our personal injury solicitors have years of experience handling slip, trip and fall claims against supermarkets and other retailers
- A consistent track record of successful outcomes for our clients, backed by client testimonials
- We investigate every claim without charge and trace the responsible party on your behalf
- Cases taken on a no win no fee basis wherever possible — you pay nothing unless we win your compensation
- Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA No: 598171, 656730)
- Offices in High Holborn, Central London and Upton Park, East London, with 24/7 phone contact and free video consultations
Get in touch with our expert Solicitors today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — the absence of a warning sign for a known wet floor is often central evidence of negligence, since supermarkets are expected to signpost cleaning in progress or known hazards.
This is a common defence, and it can succeed if the store genuinely had no reasonable opportunity to spot and clear the hazard. This is exactly why evidence like CCTV timestamps and inspection logs matters so much in building or defending against a claim.
It's not strictly required, but reporting it and getting an incident book entry at the time significantly strengthens your claim. If you weren't able to at the time, seek medical attention and gather evidence as soon as possible afterwards.
Generally three years from the date of the accident, the standard time limit for personal injury claims in England and Wales.
Yes. Under contributory negligence rules, you can still claim even if you were partly responsible, though compensation is usually reduced in proportion to your share of the blame.
We take on eligible supermarket accident claims on a no win no fee basis, so there's no upfront cost and you only pay if your claim is successful.
