What steps should I take following a fall in a public place?
If you have been injured in a shop or store read our supermarket accident claims pages to find out what steps you should take if you hurt yourself in Tesco, Sainsbury's or Morrisons.
- Accidents inside or outside a shop / business:
Aside from seeking immediate medical attention should you suffer injury, any accidents occurring inside a shop will need reporting to the sales staff or management as soon as practicable. Take any photos you think are necessary - get relatives to take care of these issues if you are unable to. Ask for a copy of the accident record (some businesses will disclose this to you).
- Accidents on defective public pavements and footpaths:
Once medical attention has been sought, you should report the defect and location of the defect to the local council. At the same time you can notify them of any accident and request that a record is made of the incident.
- Accidents on ice on public footpaths:
If you fall and hurt yourself on an icy pavement there is only a very small chance of a claim being successfully brought against the local council. However in order to protect yourself legally it is sensible (aside from seeking immediate medical attention) to report any accident to the council by telephoning / writing to the highways department.
- Ice accidents occurring on business premises:
Aside from seeking immediate medical attention should you suffer injury, any ice related accidents should be reported to the management of any business establishment owning the land on which the accident occurred. The failure to grit road / pavement surfaces reasonably may well result in a claim being brought. Once again photo evidence of any defect taken as soon as possible can assist in any legal claim. A relative or friend may be able to assist in gathering this vial evidence if injury prevents you from doing so.
