When doing your weekly shop or grabbing some last-minute items, it would be fair to state that an accident in a Tesco supermarket is an unexpected and unfortunate turn of events. Some accidents that occur in Tesco could be so remote that nobody is at fault or to blame. But in the event a third party that owes you a duty of care has breached their legal obligations, it could inflict injury or harm. If that is the case and you’ve suffered an injury, you might be searching for a solicitor that could handle a personal injury claim on your behalf.
If that is the case, this guide could be of use to you. It discusses how our panel of solicitors could assist those injured by a negligent third party. If at any point when reading this guide, you have any questions or would like to proceed with a claim, please contact a member of our team. Our phone lines are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Jump To A Section
- A Guide To Claims For Accidents In A Tesco Supermarket
- What Are Accident Claims Against Tesco?
- What Accidents Could Happen In A Supermarket?
- Slipping, Tripping Or Falling Accidents
- Accidents Caused By A Lack Of Maintenance
- Goods Trolley And Shopping Cart Accidents
- Allergic Reactions To Foods Or Cleaning Products
- Being Struck By A Falling Object
- Workplace Accident Claims Against A Supermarket Or Retailer
- Supermarket Operators Duty Of Care
- What Costs Or Expenses Could I Be Compensated For?
- Calculator For Personal Injury Claims Against Tesco
- No Win, No Fee Claims For An Accident In A Tesco Supermarket
- How Legal Helpline Could Help You
- Contact Legal Helpline Today
- Supporting Resources For Making A Personal Injury Claim Against Tesco
A Guide To Claims For Accidents In A Tesco Supermarket
Nobody expects to be involved in an accident of any nature, much less an accident caused by a negligent third party. Unfortunately, there are some scenarios in which the neglectful actions of a supermarket could influence an accident, causing both customers and employees potential harm.
In the event you have been injured by the negligence of a third party, you might be searching for a personal injury solicitor that could assist you when pursuing a claim for compensation. If that is the case, this guide could be of use to you. It shall outline how our panel of solicitors could assist those that have been affected by third party negligence. We’ll answer relevant questions such as:
- What are accident claims?
- How are incidents in a supermarket caused?
- What are some of the most common accidents in a supermarket?
- How could Legal Helpline assist me when pursuing compensation?
- What is a No Win, No Fee agreement and could I be eligible for one?
If you have been injured in a Tesco supermarket and wish to make a claim, you should be aware of the personal injury claims time limit, as it could affect the eligibility of your potential claim. You should begin your claim within three years of the date of the accident. The time limit begins to tick from that date. However, there are some scenarios where the time limit could come into effect at a later date. For example, if you experience injuries that are diagnosed by a medical professional at a later date (such as PTSD), then the time limit would begin once a diagnosis has been received.
What Are Accident Claims Against Tesco?
You might be wondering what personal injury claims against Tesco are and what are they in relation too? Unfortunately, there are some circumstances where a negligent third party could inflict injury and harm to an unsuspecting victim. In some cases, the severity of the injury could range from something minor to life-altering. When a negligent third party is at fault, the individual that has been harmed could have grounds to claim compensation. Here at Legal Helpline, our panel of solicitors could assist those that are seeking compensation for a Tesco accident that was caused by negligence.
What Accidents Could Happen In A Supermarket?
Unfortunately, various accidents could happen in a supermarket. In some scenarios, an accident in a supermarket could be a blameless event where no one is at fault. However, there are some circumstances where an accident could be influenced by the negligence of a third party.
The different types of accidents that could occur in a supermarket might include:
- Slips, trips, or falls
- Hit by a falling object
- Allergic reaction
- Accidents caused by a lack of maintenance
Slipping, Tripping Or Falling Accidents
From spillages, misplaced items, to unsuitable flooring, there are many different ways a slip and trip accident could be caused. In some cases, accidents of this nature could be caused by third-party negligence. Whether you are an employee at a supermarket or simply a customer, a third-party breaching their duty of care places everybody else at risk. It has been outlined by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) that slips and trips are common accidents that are often caused by one of three factors. These factors include obstructed walkways, poor housekeeping, and inadequate design and maintenance.
There are preventive measures organisations such as Tesco could perform, which includes:
- Routine inspections
- Regular housekeeping
According to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE), organisations such as Tesco have a legal obligation to uphold and maintain a particular health and safety standard. This requirement means organisations should perform preventive measures where suitable, as this will contribute to a safer environment. But in the event this obligation has been breached, it could cause both employees and customers to become injured and harmed. If that is the case and you’ve experienced injury or harm due to the negligence of another, you could have grounds to make a personal injury claim against Tesco for the harm inflicted.
Accidents Caused By A Lack Of Maintenance
In larger supermarkets, they often provide equipment such as lifts, escalators and travelators that are available for both staff and customers to use. Your safety and well-being when using this equipment is a direct obligation of the supermarket, as they are required to perform risk assessments, routine inspections, and perform maintenance when needed.
This process will ensure the equipment is safe to use and that hazardous threats have been prevented to the best of the supermarket’s ability. However, in the event an accident in a supermarket is caused by a lack of maintenance, this could make the supermarket liable for any injury or harm inflicted. So if you have been injured in a supermarket due to a lack of maintenance, a solicitor from our panel could assist you when pursuing a claim for compensation.
Goods Trolley And Shopping Cart Accidents
When discussing accidents in supermarkets, some people could endure injury or harm if another shopper hits them with a shopping trolley. Not only could an accident of this nature be extremely unpredictable, but it could inflict a serious amount of damage. From leg injuries to broken ankles, a trolley related accident could inflict a range of physical harm. In the event an accident of this nature happens to you, you could be wondering whether or not you have grounds to make a claim.
To pursue a claim like this depends on who is at fault. Unfortunately, supermarkets are busy locations and accidents could be a fluke turn of events. So if another shopper was at fault, it would be difficult to claim against them as they do not owe you a duty of care. However, if there was a fault with the trolley they were using, or an employer was to cause injury or harm when manoeuvring shopping trolleys from A to B, this could potentially make the supermarket liable.
Allergic Reactions To Foods Or Cleaning Products
It has been highlighted by the Food Standards Agency (FSC) that businesses that sell food, whether this is pre-packaged, non-packaged or freshly made, should be highly aware of the 14 common allergens. The FSC also states that any staff members that will be preparing, selling and serving food should be trained about allergens. The importance of food allergens is echoed within the EU Food Information for Consumers Regulation (EU FIC). This legislation clearly states that food information should be correctly and clearly highlighted before purchase. This process ensures the customer is fully aware of the contents within the item and prevents allergic reactions from occurring.
Common food allergens include:
- Dairy
- Eggs
- Wheat
- Soya
- Sesame Seeds
- Peanuts
- Mustard
The impact of an allergic reaction can vary from minor symptoms to potentially life-threatening, which is why labelling and correct training is essential. In the event a third party such as Tesco neglects this legal and ethical duty of care, it could cause a customer to have an allergic reaction and become injured. If that is the case, the affected individual could have grounds to claim compensation for a Tesco accident.
Being Struck By A Falling Object
If the items on the shelves that are located down supermarket aisles are unsuitably stacked, they could become unsteady and fall onto the shoppers passing by, resulting in head injury and trauma. Accidents of this nature could be caused if organisations like Tesco fail to train their employees the correct stacking techniques. This also applies to storage and warehouse areas. Heavy objects falling from a height could also inflict harm onto staff that are unpacking or restocking in the storage room.
Workplace Accident Claims Against A Supermarket Or Retailer
An employee in a supermarket could be injured if their employer neglects their duties of care. Employers have a lawful and ethical obligation to their employees to ensure hazardous threats to their health and well-being have been prevented. Some measures can be performed that will help identify and contribute to a safer working environment. These measures can range from something as simple as training, to risk assessments. But in the event this obligation has been breached, and you’ve been injured in a Tesco supermarket as an employee, our panel of solicitors could assist you when pursuing a work accident claim against Tesco.
If you have been injured at your place of work, you might be unsure what steps you should take. According to Citizens Advice, those that have been injured by a negligent employer should consider the following:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible;
- Report the incident to your employer;
- Make sure the accident has been logged in the accident at work-book (and you get a copy);
- Swap contact information with any witnesses of the incident;
- Make detailed notes about the accident.
Supermarket Operators Duty Of Care
Much like any other organisation, supermarkets are required to uphold the health and safety standards that are outlined within the law. This ensures both members of staff and visitors to the premises are protected from hazards and sheltered from harm. To achieve a safe environment, supermarkets could perform the preventative tasks mentioned above to ensure their property is safe. A failure to comply with the Occupiers Liability Act 1984 would be considered extremely inappropriate, as the 1984 Act clearly states that a duty of care is owed to those that visit any premises where risks could occur.
What Costs Or Expenses Could I Be Compensated For?
If you have been injured by a negligent third party, you might pursue a claim for compensation. During this process, you could be unsure of the different damages that could be taken into consideration and awarded. If you are awarded compensation, you may find that your package is split into two heads of claim: general damages and special damages. To explain in greater detail the differences between these awarded damages, we have provided some definitions.
General Damages – These are awarded for the physical pain and psychological suffering after an accident. For example, after a slip and trip incident, you might experience back pain. If that is the case, the severity of the injury and the extent of the suffering could be taken into consideration. We’ll consider the value of general damages in the next section.
Special Damages – These are designed to compensate you for any financial losses or expenses incurred as a result of the injury. The types of losses and expenses you can claim for include:
- Medical Expenses – After an accident, you might require surgery or treatment to help aid with the suffering that has been inflicted. If you required treatment that wasn’t covered by the NHS, you might have personally funded your medical treatment. If that is the case, your medical expense could be taken into consideration.
- Loss of Earnings – In some scenarios, an accident caused by a negligent party could render you unable to work. During this period, you could lose out on potential earnings. Although you could be entitled to statutory sick pay (SSP) during the recovery process, the SSP figure could be drastically lower when compared to your regular earnings, meaning a financial loss will inevitably occur.
- Travel Expenses – if you incurred costs visiting your GP, hospital or solicitor, you may be able to claim them back.
- Loss of Future Earnings – if the injury is sufficiently serious enough to prevent you from returning to work, you could claim for loss of future earnings too.
Calculator For Personal Injury Claims Against Tesco
In some scenarios, those that pursue a claim for compensation might use tools such as personal injury claims calculators to find an estimated compensation amount. We have chosen to provide a table in replacement of a calculator, which we find can be cumbersome to use. Within the table, you’ll find a variety of injuries, the severity of the injury, and the compensation that could be awarded. These figures are based on the figures contained within the Judicial College Guidelines, a legal publication used by solicitors and the courts to value claims. It is worth remembering that the compensation you could be entitled to may differ, as each claim is unique to the individual circumstances at hand.
Injury The Severity of the Injury Compensation Amount Awarded Injury Description
Brain Injury Minor £14,380 to £40,410 Minor cases of brain damage are often expected to make a well appointed recovery, but may display mild symptoms (such as memory loss or distraction).
Brain Injury Moderate £140,870 to £205,580 Cases of this nature are expected to have a moderate to severe intellectual deficit, a personality change, mobility limitation, and hinder employment prospects.
Brain Injury Severe £264,650 to £379,100 Brain damage of a serve nature is often expected to inflict life-altering repercussions. From limited to no mobility, no communications ability, double incontinence, and full-time assistance will be required.
Ankle Injury Minor Up to £12,900 An injury of this nature is less serious, with only fractures, sprains or ligamentous injuries There will be a minor level of aching, scarring, and pain.
Ankle Injury Moderate £12,900 to £24,950 Moderate ankle injuries have the ability to cause serious fractures and ligamentous tears. In some cases, those that endure an injury of this cable may have issue walking, residual scarring and mild irritation from metal plates.
Ankle Injury Severe £46,980 to £65,420 Severe cases are often expected to endure extensive soft tissue damage, deformity, and a potential amputation risk.
PTSD Minor £3,710 to £7,680 Minor cases of PTSD are often expected to make a full recovery within one to two years; however, the affected individual may display minor signs beyond that point.
PTSD Severe £56,180 to £94,470 Severe cases of PTSD are often expected to limit the affected individual’s ability to return to life prior to the accident. For example, severe PTSD may affect their ability to work and could be left grossly disabled.
No Win, No Fee Personal Injury Claim Against Tesco
If you have valid grounds to make a case for compensation, a solicitor from our panel could offer to handle your claim under a No Win, No Fee agreement, also known as a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA). The purpose of the CFA is to reduce the threat to your finances when pursuing a claim and to give you the confidence to pursue justice. Under a CFA, you will not have to pay any fees upfront or during the claim, and if your case does not succeed, you will not have to pay any of the fees your solicitor has incurred in pursuing your claim.
If your case does succeed, your solicitor may seek a small contribution toward their costs. This is known as a success fee and would be deducted from the compensation awarded at the end of the claim. There’s no need to worry—success fees are legally capped and will be agreed with you before the claim begins.
For more information about No Win, No fee agreements, please contact a member of our team today.
How Legal Helpline Could Help You With A Personal Injury Claim Against Tesco
Understandably, an accident is never a predictable event in anyone’s lives, especially those that are caused by the negligence of another. In the unfortunate circumstance that you have become injured or harmed by negligence, it is reasonable to be unsure of your legal options. That is why Legal Helpline is here to help. If you have been injured and choose to work with us, our panel of solicitors could provide you with expert legal support and guidance. Our panel of solicitors is well-versed in personal injury law and have decades of experience handling such claims. They know what’s needed to make a successful claim and will strive to ensure you get the most compensation possible. They’ll keep you fully updated on the progress of your claim and if, at any time you have a query, they’ll be on hand to take your call. So if you’d like to start a personal injury claim against Tesco today, please give us a call.
Contact Legal Helpline Today To Begin Your Personal Injury Claim Against Tesco
If you have been injured in a Tesco supermarket due to third party negligence and wish to begin your claim, why not contact a member of our team? Our phone lines are free to call, and our advisors are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. In addition to any questions that you might have, our advisors can offer free, no strings attached legal advice. If you wish to enquire online through our online services, you are more than welcome to do so. Upon submission, a member of our team will review your online enquiry and contact you at a later date.
To speak with an advisor, please call us on 0333 000 0729.
To enquire online, please click here.
Supporting Resources For A Personal Injury Claim Against Tesco
Here are some more resources on making a personal injury claim against Tesco:
Fatal Workplace Incidents – Could I claim on behalf of a loved one?
Warehouse Accident Claims – Could I make a claim if I were injured by a forklift truck?
Ankle Injury Claims – Could I have grounds to make a claim for an ankle related injury?
NHS – First Aid Advice
HSE –Retail Safety Measures
Guide by MN
Edited by REG
