When working in a supermarket, sometimes accidents do inevitably happen due to the busy shop environment and the nature of the work.
Common Supermarket Accidents
- Heavy lifting injuries: Most chain supermarkets provide training regarding safe lifting techniques due to the high proportion of employees who incur lifting injuries either replenishing shelves on the shop floor or lifting goods in the warehouse. However, if you have incurred a lifting injury at work and you were not taught how to lift items safely and correctly, you may be able to claim for compensation.
- Slip or trip: Again this can occur on the shop floor or in the warehouse or staff areas. All spillages must have warning signs placed next to them and must be cleaned up quickly. All staff areas should be kept free of packaging debris and trip hazards. If either of these things are not done and it leads to you injuring yourself you may be able to make an accident at work claim.
- Accidents involving machinery: You must be trained to use every piece of machinery you use to complete your job role, e.g. box cutters, crushers. If you are not, you are at a greater risk of injuring yourself.
- Accidents involving vehicles: if any vehicles are used for lifting boxes and crates in your warehouse, there must be rules in place to ensure that vehicles and people can work in the same environment safely and productively.
How Can I Claim For A Supermarket Accident?
If you have incurred a work injury whilst working in a supermarket you should contact a specialist work accident solicitor today. A specialist will be able to give you the most appropriate legal advice and will be able to talk through your circumstances with you. Each situation is different and you won’t necessarily find you fit easily into one of the four categories of accidents which have been outlined above – that does not mean that the law cannot help you. Your lawyer will be able to tell you in minutes whether or not they believe you have a viable basis for a claim and will tell you how to proceed with your claim.
You have 3 years from the date of your accident to make a claim; however there are two reasons why sooner is better than later. Firstly, in April 2013 you will no longer be able to enter into a no win no fee agreement with your solicitor, making claiming more expensive. Secondly, the sooner you claim the more accurate your memory of the event is and the more prominent your injuries are.
Contact Us
Freeman Harris can help you with your accident at work claim. Give us a call on 020 7231 7150 or fill in an online enquiry. All initial consultations are offered completely free of charge.
