If you slipped, tripped or fell in a UK supermarket or shop and were injured, you can claim compensation from the store if it breached its duty of care. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, a supermarket must take reasonable care to keep visitors safe — that includes cleaning up spillages promptly, keeping aisles clear and maintaining floor surfaces. You normally have three years to bring a claim, but act quickly because CCTV footage is often overwritten within weeks.
Supermarket accident claims are one of the most common types of public liability claim in the UK. A dropped bottle of cooking oil, a leaking freezer, a loose mat at the entrance, or stock left in an aisle can all cause serious injuries — broken hips, fractured wrists, torn ligaments, head injuries from the fall. If the store knew or should have known about the hazard and failed to deal with it, you may have a claim. This guide explains how supermarket accident claims work and what evidence makes the difference. We are an independent information service, not a law firm.
The legal basis: Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957
A supermarket is an “occupier” of premises and you are a lawful “visitor”. Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957, the occupier owes you a “common duty of care” — it must take such care as is reasonable in all the circumstances to see that you are reasonably safe in using the premises. This is not a guarantee of safety: the store does not have to make the premises risk-free. But it must have a reasonable system for identifying and dealing with hazards.
In a supermarket, that translates into practical obligations:
- Regular cleaning and inspection rounds, logged and timed
- Prompt response to spillages (clean up quickly, put out signs in the meantime)
- Keeping aisles clear during restocking
- Maintaining floor surfaces, mats, and entryways
- Adequate lighting and clear sight lines
What you have to prove
For a successful supermarket accident claim, you need to show three things:
| Element | What it means in practice |
|---|---|
| A hazard existed | A spillage, wet floor, damaged tile, obstacle, fallen stock or other dangerous condition was present |
| The store knew or should have known | The hazard was there long enough that a reasonable cleaning/inspection system would have found it, or the store created the hazard itself (e.g. mopping without a sign) |
| The store failed to act reasonably | It did not clean up, barrier off or warn about the hazard within a reasonable time |
The strongest evidence is the store’s own cleaning log (or the absence of one). If the log shows no inspection was carried out for two hours before your fall, that is powerful proof the system was inadequate. If the store cannot produce a log at all, that itself suggests the system was not in place.
Evidence: act fast
Evidence is everything in a supermarket claim, and much of it is time-sensitive:
- CCTV footage. Most supermarkets have extensive CCTV. It can show what you slipped on, how long it was there and whether staff walked past it. But stores routinely overwrite footage — often within 14 to 31 days. Ask the store (and write to them formally) to preserve the footage immediately. A solicitor can make a formal preservation request.
- Accident book entry. Report the accident to the duty manager before you leave and ask for it to be logged in the accident book. Note the reference number.
- Photographs. Take photos of what you slipped or tripped on, the aisle, the floor condition, any signage (or lack of it) and your injuries.
- Witness details. If anyone saw the fall — other customers, staff — get their contact details.
- Medical records. See a GP or attend A&E promptly. Medical records from the day of the accident link your injury to the fall.
- Clothing and footwear. Keep the shoes you were wearing; the store may argue your footwear was unsuitable.
⏳ CCTV is overwritten fast
The single most important step after a supermarket accident is requesting CCTV preservation in writing, the same day if possible. Once it is overwritten, it is gone. A solicitor can do this for you as part of a free initial assessment.
Does a wet floor sign defeat my claim?
Not necessarily. A sign is a reasonable precaution while the hazard is being dealt with, but a sign left out for hours without anyone actually cleaning up the spillage is not reasonable. The court looks at the whole picture: was the sign visible, was it near the actual hazard, did staff act on the warning, and how long was the hazard left? A sign alone does not relieve the store of its duty to take reasonable steps to remove the danger.
Time limits
You generally have three years from the date of the accident — in England and Wales under the Limitation Act 1980, in Scotland under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973, and in Northern Ireland under the Limitation (Northern Ireland) Order 1989. For children, time usually starts at age 18. See our full guide to time limits.
What compensation covers
General damages compensate for the injury itself — pain, suffering and loss of amenity — guided by the Judicial College Guidelines. Special damages cover your financial losses: lost earnings, medical and rehabilitation costs, travel, care needs and any ongoing treatment. A slip and fall claim in a shop follows the same compensation principles as any personal injury case. See how compensation works.
Getting help
We are not a law firm. We do not take on claims, sell your details or recommend particular firms. To find a regulated solicitor experienced in public liability claims, use the Solicitors Regulation Authority register and the Law Society “Find a Solicitor” service. Citizens Advice gives free, impartial guidance on your rights.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if I slipped on a wet floor in a supermarket?
You can if the supermarket failed in its duty to keep you reasonably safe. Under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, the store must take reasonable care. If a spillage was left without being cleaned up or signed for an unreasonable time, or the cleaning schedule was not followed, the supermarket may be liable. You need to show the hazard existed and the store knew or should have known about it.
What if there was a wet floor sign?
A wet floor sign does not automatically defeat your claim. The sign is one factor, but the store still has a duty to clean up the hazard within a reasonable time, not just warn about it indefinitely. If the sign was there but the spillage was left for a long period without action, or the sign was placed far from the actual hazard, you may still have a claim.
How long do I have to claim after a supermarket accident?
You generally have three years from the date of the accident under the Limitation Act 1980 (England and Wales). Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own three-year rules. For children, the three years usually start at age 18. Act quickly: CCTV footage is often overwritten within 30 days.
Should I report the accident to the store manager?
Yes, always. Ask for the accident to be recorded in the store's accident book and get a copy or note the reference number. This creates a contemporaneous record and can be vital evidence. Also photograph the hazard, your injuries and the area before the store cleans up.
Do I need to prove the supermarket was negligent?
Yes. You must show a hazard existed (a spillage, a damaged floor tile, fallen stock), the store knew or should have known about it, and it failed to deal with it in a reasonable time. Cleaning logs and CCTV are the key evidence. The store does not have to guarantee your safety, but it must have a reasonable system to spot and deal with hazards.
Can I claim if I tripped over stock left in the aisle?
Yes, if leaving the stock there created an unreasonable hazard. Restocking is routine, but items left in busy aisles without barriers, cones or staff supervision can breach the store's duty of care. Photographs and witness statements help prove how the stock was left.
Get help from official, free sources
- Solicitors Regulation Authority (SRA) — check a solicitor is regulated
- The Law Society — Find a Solicitor — accredited PI specialists
- Citizens Advice — free, impartial guidance on your rights
Related guides: slip, trip and fall claims, public liability claims, pothole injury claims, how to make a claim and no win, no fee explained.