Claim Compensation after being hit by falling item in Department Store

Question: I was shopping in a department store when an item fell from a shelf and landed on my foot, breaking a bone. Can I make a compensation claim?

Answer: It sounds like you should be able to make a personal injury claim against the department store, although we will need more information to be able to tell for sure. Call us today on 08000 430 430 or fill in our online enquiry form to find out more.

All department stores have a duty of care towards their customers and employees, and should ensure that goods stacked on shelves or displays do not pose a hazard to people within the store. Risk assessments and proper management systems should be enough to deal with this risk and ensure avoidable accidents do not occur. If the department store is negligent towards this obligation and people are injured as a result of this negligence, then the store can find itself liable in personal injury claims.

This means if you were injured in Marks and Spencer, House of Fraser, John Lewis, Debenhams, Lakeland, Selfridges, Harvey Nichols or any other department store, and this injury was a direct result of the negligence of the company or its employees, you can claim compensation. You will not just be compensated for your personal injuries but will also be able to recover any financial losses you incurred, so keep hold of any documentation that proves these losses. You should also report the accident to the department store and ask them to record it in the accident book. If possible, take a photograph of the item that hit you in the store and the shelf or display it was on, and go to the doctor to have your injuries assessed and treated.

Then, speak to Clearwater Solicitors about your injuries to start building your case. You can get in touch with us by dialling 08000 430 430 to speak with us directly, or fill in our online enquiry form and we will call you back as soon as possible.