Have you been injured in a shop accident?

If you’ve had an accident in a shop and suffered an injury, you could be entitled to make a No Win No Fee shop accident compensation claim.

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Shop Accident Claims

Shop accidents are more common than you might think and can cause serious injuries. If you have been hurt in a shop due to someone else’s negligence, a successful shop accident claim may allow you to secure compensation for any injury and financial losses incurred as a result.

Common accidents in shops include slips, trips and falls, being struck by falling objects, and criminal assaults. These can result in injuries such as broken bones, lacerations and traumatic brain injuries that can significantly impact your ability to work and carry out daily activities.

Call 0800 470 0474 today or enter your details into our online claim form for a free consultation with an experienced legal advisor. If you have a valid claim for compensation, you will be offered a no win no fee service, so there will be no financial risk to you in seeking the compensation you deserve.

Key points about shop accident claims

Can I make a claim?
If you were injured in a shop due to hazards such as wet floors, trip hazards, or poor maintenance, you may be entitled to claim.
Who is liable?
The shop owner or occupier could be held responsible if they failed to take reasonable steps to ensure customer safety.
Is there a time limit?
You normally have 3 years from the date of the accident to start your claim, with exceptions for children and people who lack mental capacity.
How much compensation could I receive?
This will depend on how serious your injuries are and whether you’ve experienced any financial loss, such as lost income.
Can I claim on a no win, no fee basis?
Yes, your solicitor will handle your case on a no win, no fee basis, so you only pay them a fee if they win your claim.

If you would like to speak to a legal adviser about making a claim, call free on 0800 470 0474 or click here to request a call back.

Find out if you can claim

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By submitting this form you agree to be contacted by our partners. Find out how we handle your data in our privacy policy. With no win no fee you typically pay 25% of your compensation if your claim is successful, but the fee can vary. Termination fees may apply if you fail to co-operate with your solicitor.

Table of Contents

Am I eligible to make a shop accident claim?

You may be eligible for compensation if you were injured in a shop due to someone else’s negligence. As not all shop accidents lead to valid claims, a personal injury lawyer will assess if the following criteria can be established before taking on your case:

You were owed a legal duty of care.
This duty was breached through negligence and led to an accident.
You suffered an injury or injuries as a result.
You are within the legal time limit to start a claim (usually 3 years).

If your claim is accepted, you may be able to receive compensation for the pain and suffering caused to you. Your solicitor will gather the necessary evidence and negotiate the best possible settlement on your behalf.

Who is liable for a shop accident?

In most cases, the shop owner or occupier may be liable for injuries suffered on their premises. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974, they owe customers, visitors and employees a legal duty of care, and must:

Carry out regular inspections to identify potential hazards.
Repair defects promptly and maintain the premises in a safe condition.
Ensure adequate staffing and security when necessary.
Provide employees with appropriate training and equipment.
Display clear warning signs for hazards that can’t be immediately removed.

If you suffered an injury due to a breach of any of these or other duties, the shop owner might be liable to pay you personal injury compensation.

In certain situations, other parties may be liable to pay compensation for a shop or supermarket accident. This includes the manufacturer of a faulty product or the Criminal Injuries Compensation Authority (CICA), if you suffered harm following a criminal assault.

What is the time limit to start a shop accident compensation claim?

If you suffered an accident in a shop, you typically have three years to make a claim for compensation under the Limitation Act 1980. There are a few exceptions to the three-year limitation period which may apply to your case:

If you claim on behalf of a child, you have until they reach the age of 18 to start legal proceedings. Afterwards, they have until their 21st birthday to seek compensation themselves.
If the injured person cannot handle their claim due to a lack of mental capacity, you can act as their litigation friend without any time limit.
If you were the victim of an assault in a shop, you typically have two years to start a criminal injury claim.

Regardless of your circumstances, it is always better to seek legal advice as soon as possible. That will ensure that the details of your accident are still fresh in your mind, and give your solicitor better access to evidence.

How much compensation is a shop injury claim worth?

The compensation awarded for an accident in a shop claim will depend on several factors that are grouped into two types of damages:

General damages cover non-financial losses, such as:

Physical pain and distress.
Emotional and psychological trauma.
Loss of enjoyment of life.
Scarring and disfigurement.

The amount awarded depends on the severity of the injury, its impact on your life, and any long-term consequences or disabilities. Compensation for general damages is calculated based on the guidelines published by the Judicial College. You can use our free online compensation calculator for an estimate.

Special damages cover financial losses and expenses caused by the injury, such as:

Private medical treatment and rehabilitation.
Loss of earnings and loss of earning capacity.
Cost of care and assistance with daily tasks.
Adaptations to your home or vehicle.

It is essential to keep all records and receipts for expenses, medical bills and lost wages to support your claim.

What should I do if I want to claim after an accident in a shop?

If you are injured in a shop accident, taking the right steps can ensure you have the necessary evidence to strengthen your claim:

Seek medical attention as soon as possible, either at the A&E, your GP or a minor injuries unit. This ensures your injuries are documented.
Report the accident to a shop employee or manager and make sure it is recorded in the store’s accident report book. Request a signed copy as evidence.
Collect evidence at the scene, including witness contact details and photos of hazards and injuries.
Keep copies of medical reports, invoices, receipts and other related expenses.
Get in touch with a solicitor who can review your case and offer you no-obligation legal advice.

If you can make a personal injury claim, your solicitor will send a letter of claim to the defendant and begin to negotiate a settlement if they admit liability. Otherwise, they will issue court proceedings. It is worth noting that this rarely happens, as more than 96% of all claims conclude without a trial.

Will I be offered a No Win No Fee service?

Yes. If you are entitled to make a compensation claim, the personal injury solicitors we work in partnership with will offer you a no win no fee service. This means you do not have to pay any upfront fees for legal advice and representation.

Moreover, you will not have to pay anything out of pocket if your claim fails. Your solicitor only receives a success fee if you win the shop compensation claim. This fee is capped at 25% and agreed upon from the beginning.

Can I claim compensation for a shop accident as an employee?

If you were injured while working in a shop due to your employer’s negligence, you could start a work accident claim. Your employer has a legal duty towards your well-being, and a retail worker claim may be possible if your accident resulted from:

A lack of risk assessments.
Inadequate training or safety measures.
Workplace hazards leading to a slip, trip or fall.
Poorly kept equipment and machinery.
Hazardous manual handling.
Inadequate breaks or staffing levels.

What are the most common types of shop accidents?

Some of the most common types of accidents that may lead to an injury in a shop claim include:

Slips, trips, and falls – Caused by uneven surfaces, wet floors, cluttered walkways, inadequate lighting, or missing warning signs.
Manual handling accidents – Injuries suffered due to lifting, carrying, pushing, or pulling heavy loads.
Falling objects – Accidents caused by poorly stacked merchandise or collapsing shelves.
Falls from height – Falls from ladder or platforms due to a failure to mitigate the risks of working at height.
Electrical incidents – Exposed wires or faulty equipment leading to electric shocks, burns, or fires.
Violence and assaults – Robberies and aggressive behaviours that put employees and customers at risk.

This list is not exhaustive, so don’t worry if it does not include your particular shop accident. Your solicitor will evaluate your circumstances and ask you a few questions to determine whether you are eligible for compensation.

Common injuries for which you could claim shop accident compensation

If you or a loved one has been injured in a shop accident, you could be entitled to compensation for:

Back and neck injuries – Sprains, strains, and slipped discs from sudden impacts or lifting heavy objects.
Head injuries – Concussions and more severe brain injuries from falls or falling objects.
Laceration injuries – Deep cuts from sharp objects, broken glass, or equipment.
Repetitive strain injuries – Conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome or tendonitis from overuse and repetitive tasks, such as scanning products.
Broken bones – From falls, falling objects, or accidents involving machinery.
Soft tissue injuries – Damage to muscles, tendons, and ligaments, often from slips, falls, or sudden impacts.
Psychological trauma – Violent incidents, assaults, or witnessing traumatic events can lead to emotional distress, anxiety, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Can I make a claim if the shop accident was partly my fault?

Yes. If you share some responsibility for a shop accident, you may still be able to claim compensation. Contributory negligence applies when your action contributed to your accident or injuries.

In such cases, compensation is typically reduced proportionally to your degree of fault. For example, if you suffer an arm injury valued at £20,000 and you are found to be 25% at fault for ignoring a warning sign, you would only be awarded £15,000.

If you believe you have a valid claim for an accident in a shop, call 0800 470 0474 today to speak to a legal adviser. They can let you know within a few minutes if you are eligible for a no win no fee agreement and will answer any questions you might have about the claims process.

Last edited on 20th Apr 2026

With over 15 years’ experience in the legal sector, Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has extensive experience across all areas of personal injury and medical negligence claims.