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20th March 2020
The worldwide spread of the Coronavirus has resulted in emergency measures and Government guidance about restricting physical contact with other…
Claim compensation for tripping over uneven flooring in a health and beauty store
Question: I was shopping in Holland and Barrett when I tripped over a broken floor tile and injured myself. Can I make a compensation claim?
Answer: You may be able to make a compensation claim regardless of whether the floor tile was in Superdrug, Boots, Holland and Barrett, The Body Shop or any other health and beauty store. Retailers of all kinds have a duty of care towards their staff and customers, and must ensure their stores are safe for people to walk around in freely.
A range of issues can lead to trips at health and beauty stores as well as broken tiles. Uneven flooring can arise due to fraying carpets, threshold strips, poor cleaning systems, litter and rubbish on the floor, or falling stock. The shops must put systems in place to deal with these risks and prevent them from causing accidents. Holland and Barrett and other health and beauty stores are also vicariously responsible for the failings of their employees, and can face personal injury claims when the negligence of employees or managers leads to preventable accidents. This means that broken tiles and other uneven floors should be repaired before it causes an accident, and access to this area should be prevented.
To make a compensation claim following a trip in a health and beauty store, you should report the accident to the company and ask for a copy of the ‘accident book’ report. If possible, take photographs of the broken tile you tripped over and anything else that caused the accident, as this could help to prove the company’s negligence. Holland and Barrett may offer you gift vouchers or another small token, but you should speak with personal injury solicitors before you accept this. You should also have your injuries assessed by a doctor and recorded in your medical records.
Clearwater Solicitors can help you claim compensation for a trip in Holland and Barrett and any other health and beauty store. Call us on 08000 430 430 or fill in our online enquiry form to get started.
