A trip to the supermarket is something most of us do without a second thought. But if you’ve slipped on water leaking from a refrigerator, the consequences can be serious. Falls like these can lead to broken bones, soft tissue injuries, head injuries and lengthy periods away from work.
Not every accident means you’re entitled to compensation. However, supermarkets have a legal duty to keep customers reasonably safe while they’re on the premises. If they fail to deal with a known hazard, or one they should reasonably have identified, you may have grounds to make a personal injury claim.
Why do supermarket fridges leak?
Commercial refrigeration units can leak for several reasons. Mechanical faults, blocked defrost drains or equipment working harder during periods of hot weather can all cause water to escape onto the shop floor.
Many supermarkets recognise this risk and put measures in place to manage it. This might include absorbent mats, warning signs or regular inspections by staff. However, these precautions are only effective if they’re properly maintained.
For example, absorbent mats can become saturated over the course of the day. If they aren’t replaced or checked regularly, water can spread across the floor and create a slip hazard for customers.
When is the supermarket responsible?
Supermarkets aren’t automatically responsible simply because you’ve had an accident.
To bring a successful claim, you’ll usually need to show that the supermarket failed to take reasonable steps to keep you safe. This could include situations where:
- staff knew about a leak but didn’t clean it up promptly
- a leak had been present for long enough that it should have been identified during routine inspections
- warning signs or absorbent mats weren’t used appropriately
- existing safety measures had become ineffective but weren’t replaced or maintained.
Every claim depends on its own facts, which is why gathering evidence as soon as possible can make a significant difference.
What should you do after slipping in a supermarket?
If you’ve been injured, your health should always come first. Once you’ve received any immediate medical attention, there are several practical steps that could help support a future claim.
- Report the accident to a member of staff immediately.
- Make sure the incident is recorded in the store’s accident book and ask for a copy if possible.
- Take photographs of the area, including the leak, warning signs (or lack of them), and the surrounding floor if you’re able to do so.
- Note the location of any CCTV cameras that may have captured the incident.
- Ask any witnesses for their names and contact details.
- Attend your GP or A&E so your injuries are properly assessed and recorded.
- Keep receipts for any expenses you’ve incurred, such as medication, travel costs or damaged personal belongings.
These steps can provide valuable evidence if you later decide to pursue a claim.
What compensation could you claim?
If the supermarket’s negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation.
Depending on your circumstances, this could include compensation for:
- your pain, suffering and loss of amenity
- loss of earnings if you’ve needed time off work
- medical treatment and rehabilitation costs
- travel expenses
- any care or assistance you’ve required while recovering.
The value of a claim depends on the nature of your injuries and the financial impact they’ve had on your life.
How long do you have to make a claim?
In most cases, you’ll have three years from the date of the accident to begin a personal injury claim.
There are some exceptions to this rule, including claims involving children or individuals who lack the mental capacity to bring a claim themselves. If you’re unsure whether you’re still within the time limit, it’s worth seeking legal advice as soon as possible.
Speak to our personal injury team
If you’ve been injured after slipping on water leaking from a supermarket refrigerator, you don’t have to work out whether you have a claim on your own.
Our personal injury team can assess the circumstances of your accident, explain your legal options and advise whether you may be entitled to compensation.
To speak to Stuart Biddle, Head of Personal Injury, call 0161 930 5129 for a no-obligation discussion or email stuart.biddle@gorvins.com.