Slipping in a supermarket can be both painful and frustrating. One moment you are shopping, and the next you may find yourself on the floor with a painful injury. For many people, the first thought after such an accident is “Can I claim compensation?” and “How much will I get if I do?”
In this guide, we will walk you through everything you need to know about supermarket slip claims. You will understand when you can claim, what evidence you need, how compensation is calculated, and the average settlement ranges for common injuries. This article is written in simple terms, so you can easily understand your rights without needing a legal background.
Why Slips in Supermarkets Happen?
Supermarkets are busy places with hundreds of customers walking through each day. Floors, aisles, and entrances must be kept safe, but accidents still happen. Common causes of slips include:
- Spillages – liquid or food items spilled on the floor and not cleaned up quickly.
- Wet entrances – water tracked in on rainy days without proper mats or cleaning.
- Recently cleaned floors – mopped areas left without warning signs.
- Faulty equipment – freezers or fridges leaking water onto the floor.
- Obstacles on the floor – packaging, stock, or crates left in aisles.
- Icy car parks – surfaces not gritted or salted during cold weather.
If a supermarket has not taken reasonable steps to deal with these hazards, and you slip as a result, you could be entitled to claim compensation.
What Injuries Can You Claim For?
The type and severity of your injury will have a big impact on your claim. Some common injuries from supermarket slips include:
- Sprains and strains – often in ankles, knees, or wrists.
- Broken bones – especially fractured wrists or arms when trying to break a fall.
- Head injuries – from striking the ground or shelving.
- Back injuries – slipped discs or spinal problems caused by falling awkwardly.
- Cuts and bruises – sometimes leading to scarring.
- Soft tissue injuries – tendon or ligament damage that takes months to heal.
Even if you think your injury is minor, you should still seek medical treatment. Medical records will support your claim and ensure you get the right compensation.
Proving You Are Eligible to Claim
You can’t claim just because you slipped. You need to show that the supermarket was responsible for your accident. In law, this is known as proving a duty of care and showing that it was breached.
Supermarkets owe you a duty of care under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957. This means they must take reasonable steps to keep visitors safe. If they fail to do so, and you are injured, you may be eligible for compensation.
To succeed in your claim, you need to show:
- The supermarket owed you a duty of care (this is automatic for customers).
- They breached that duty – for example, failing to clean up a spill or put out warning signs.
- The breach directly caused your injury.
What Evidence Do You Need?
Evidence is one of the most important parts of a supermarket accident claim. The more proof you can gather, the stronger your case will be. Useful evidence includes:
- Accident report form – every supermarket should log accidents. Ask for a copy.
- Photographs – take pictures of the hazard that caused your slip before it is cleared away.
- CCTV footage – most supermarkets have cameras. Request a copy if possible.
- Witness details – ask for names and contact numbers of anyone who saw your accident.
- Medical records – hospital notes, GP reports, x-rays or prescriptions.
- Financial evidence – receipts for medical costs, travel expenses, or proof of lost wages.
If you are unable to collect evidence straight after the accident, don’t worry. A solicitor can often help gather evidence on your behalf.
How Much Compensation Can You Claim?
Compensation for a supermarket slip is not a fixed amount. It varies depending on your injuries and personal circumstances. There are usually two types of damages you may be awarded:
- General damages – to cover your pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Special damages – to cover financial losses, such as medical bills, travel costs, or loss of income if you had to take time off work.
Example Compensation Amounts
Below are some guideline figures based on the Judicial College Guidelines (JCG), which solicitors and courts use when valuing claims. Please remember these are only estimates – the amount you receive will depend on your specific case.
| Injury Type | Severity | Potential Compensation |
| Brain injury | Moderately severe | £267,340 – £344,150 |
| Brain injury | Less severe | £18,700 – £52,550 |
| Back injury | Severe | £47,320 – £196,450 |
| Back injury | Moderate | £15,260 – £47,320 |
| Back injury | Mild | Up to £15,260 |
| Ankle injury | Severe | £38,210 – £61,090 |
| Ankle injury | Mild | Up to £16,770 |
| Wrist injury | Very severe (loss of function) | £58,110 – £73,050 |
| Wrist injury | Moderate | £7,420 – £12,630 |
These figures are only for the injury itself (general damages). You could also claim special damages, which may increase your overall settlement if you have lost earnings or needed medical treatment.
Can You Claim If the Accident Happened in the Car Park?
Yes, you may still be able to claim if your slip happened in a supermarket car park. The key point is who owns the car park:
- If the supermarket owns it, your claim will be against them.
- If another company owns it, you may need to claim against that company instead.
Examples of car park accidents include slipping on ice that wasn’t treated, or tripping on potholes that should have been repaired.
Time Limits for Making a Claim
You usually have three years from the date of the accident to start your claim. This is the general time limit under the Limitation Act 1980.
There are exceptions:
- If a child is injured, the three-year limit starts from their 18th birthday.
- If the injured person lacks mental capacity, the time limit may be paused until they regain capacity.
It is always best to start your claim as early as possible. This gives your solicitor more time to collect evidence and build your case.
What If You Work at the Supermarket?
You might be reading this as an employee who slipped at work. In this case, your employer also has a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They must take reasonable steps to keep you safe, such as:
- Providing proper training.
- Carrying out regular risk assessments.
- Supplying protective equipment when necessary.
If they fail to do this and you are injured, you could claim through an accident at work claim. Don’t worry about losing your job – it is illegal for an employer to dismiss you just for making a legitimate claim.
No Win No Fee Claims
Many people worry about the cost of hiring a solicitor. The good news is that most personal injury solicitors work on a No Win No Fee basis.
This means:
- You don’t pay anything upfront.
- You don’t pay anything while the case is ongoing.
- If you lose, you don’t pay your solicitor’s fees.
- If you win, your solicitor takes a small success fee (capped by law) from your compensation.
This arrangement makes claiming much less risky and more accessible.
How Long Will Your Claim Take?
There is no fixed timeframe. Some straightforward claims can be settled within a few months if the supermarket accepts liability quickly. More complex cases – for example, those involving severe injuries or disputed liability – may take a year or more.
Factors that affect the length of your claim include:
- How severe your injuries are.
- Whether you have recovered or are still being treated.
- Whether the supermarket admits fault or disputes it.
- If the case needs to go to court.
Your solicitor will keep you updated throughout the process and will aim to secure your compensation as quickly as possible.
Steps to Take After a Slip in a Supermarket
If you are reading this soon after your accident, here are some important steps to take:
- Report the accident to staff and ask them to record it in the accident book.
- Take photographs of the hazard and your injuries if possible.
- Collect names and numbers of witnesses.
- Seek medical treatment straight away – don’t rely only on first aid.
- Keep receipts and records of any expenses.
- Contact a personal injury solicitor for advice.
Taking these steps will strengthen your claim and increase your chances of receiving the right level of compensation.
Final Thoughts
Slipping in a supermarket can leave you with painful injuries, financial losses, and a lot of stress. But if the accident was not your fault, you don’t have to carry the burden alone. By making a claim, you could receive compensation for your pain and suffering, as well as any money you have lost.
Remember:
- You must prove the supermarket was negligent.
- Evidence such as accident forms, CCTV, and medical records is vital.
- Compensation varies but can cover both physical injury and financial loss.
- You have three years to start your claim.
- No Win No Fee solicitors make the process less stressful.
If you slipped in a supermarket and want to know how much compensation you could claim, the best step is to seek professional advice. Every case is different, and a solicitor can give you a clearer idea of the settlement you might receive.