Claim compensation for tripping over flooring in a furniture store

Question: I tripped over the entrance mat in a furniture store – can I claim compensation?

Answer: You may be able to make a compensation claim if you tripped on carpeting or uneven flooring in a furniture store, although the accident must have been partially or entirely due to the store’s negligence and you must have sustained injuries as a result of the trip.

Uneven flooring can easily lead to tripping accidents in furniture shops, with broken tiles, loose carpeting and frayed edges on rugs causing people to lose their footing and fall over. The owners of these stores should put systems in place to prevent these accidents from occurring. This will involve keeping a well-maintained store, dealing with hazards as they arise and preventing access to any dangerous flooring.

Furniture stores must protect the health and safety of their employees and customers, and when they are negligent towards this duty of care, they can be liable in any personal injury claims that occur as a result of this negligence. You should go to a hospital or see a doctor after being injured in a furniture store, even if you have received first aid at the scene, as this will demonstrate that you sustained injuries in the accident.

You should also report the accident at the furniture store it occurred in, and ensure that staff record the incident in the accident book. You can request a copy of this accident book report to support your compensation claim. If possible, you should also take down the names and contact information of anyone who witnessed the incident, and take photographs of the area of floor you tripped over.

If it is deemed that the furniture shop was entirely responsible for the accident, you will be able to recover any financial losses you incurred, but if you are deemed to be partially responsible you may still have to pay some of these. Keep records of your financial losses so you can recover these in your furniture store compensation claim.

Speak to Clearwater Solicitors today to find out more or to start making a claim – just dial 08000 430 430 or fill in our handy online enquiry form to get started.