No one expects to get hurt doing the weekly shop. But slips, trips, and other supermarket accidents happen more often than people realise and when they do, it can leave you shaken, sore, and unsure of where to turn next.
No one expects to get hurt doing the weekly shop. But slips, trips, and other supermarket accidents happen more often than people realise and when they do, it can leave you shaken, sore, and unsure of where to turn next.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we know how upsetting it is to suffer an injury in a place that should have been safe. A wet floor without a warning sign, a trolley left blocking the aisle, or shelving that wasn’t properly secured these oversights can lead to real harm and lasting consequences.
We’re not a faceless firm. We’re local solicitors who’ve stood by people across Clare and beyond for over three decades. Our clients are our neighbours, and we treat them as such. We listen closely, speak plainly, and take the time to explain every step. No pressure. No jargon. Just calm, clear advice from a team that genuinely cares.
If you’ve been injured through no fault of your own, you shouldn’t be left to carry the burden alone.
Reach out to Crimmins Howard Solicitors today for a confidential chat. We’ll stand with you and fight for what’s fair.
Supermarkets are places we all rely on for everyday essentials. But when safety slips, what should be a routine visit can quickly turn into a painful ordeal. While most shops do their best to maintain a safe environment, hazards still arise often due to poor housekeeping, rushed staff, or overlooked risks.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’ve seen first-hand how serious these incidents can be. Below, we explore the most common accident scenarios and the types of injuries they often cause.
Supermarket accidents aren’t just unfortunate they’re often avoidable. Some of the most frequently encountered causes include:
Each of these hazards has one thing in common: they can and should be addressed by regular inspections, staff training, and clear safety protocols. When this doesn’t happen, customers are put at risk.
Not every injury is immediately visible. Some develop or worsen over time, making early medical attention critical not only for your health but for your claim. Common injuries we encounter include:
In more serious cases, injuries can interfere with work, family responsibilities, and overall quality of life. That’s why claims aren’t only about compensation, but about recovery, stability, and fairness.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we treat each case with care and urgency, because we understand that even a “minor” incident can have major consequences for your life.
Determining who is responsible for your injury is a crucial part of building a strong supermarket accident claim. Liability doesn’t always lie with the same party, and that’s why legal guidance from the start can make a significant difference. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we take the time to investigate the full picture so you’re not left guessing—or wrongly blamed.
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1995, supermarkets have a legal duty to take reasonable care to ensure the safety of everyone on their premises. This means spotting and fixing hazards, keeping aisles clear, inspecting stock shelves, and making sure cleaning and maintenance are carried out correctly. If a store fails to take these steps and you’re injured as a result, they could be held liable.
Importantly, this duty doesn’t stop at the entrance. It covers:
In many cases, accidents happen because a staff member made an error. Maybe they left a spill unattended, stacked stock in a dangerous way, or forgot to put out a wet floor sign. If this happens, it’s typically the supermarket not the employee personally who bears legal responsibility. Employers are usually vicariously liable for the actions of their staff while on duty.
Sometimes, another shopper’s behaviour causes an accident. A leaking trolley, a dropped bottle, or an obstructive pram might seem like someone else’s problem but if the hazard is not cleaned up or managed quickly by staff, the supermarket may still be liable. They are expected to monitor and respond to risks, no matter who created them.
Occasionally, a contractor or service provider such as cleaners, delivery drivers or shelf-stackers may be at fault. These cases can be more complex, especially if more than one party shares responsibility. We will help identify all potentially liable parties and ensure your claim is directed correctly from the outset.
When you come to Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we do the legwork to clarify who was at fault. You shouldn’t have to take care of that alone especially when you’re injured and vulnerable.
What you do in the minutes and hours after a supermarket accident can make a major difference to your recovery and to the strength of any future claim. Even if you feel shaken or embarrassed, try to remain calm and take clear steps to protect your health and your legal position.
At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’ve helped countless clients who did the right things early on. Below is a clear guide to follow.
Taking these steps can strengthen your position and ensure no detail is overlooked. And remember if you’re unsure what to do, contact us as soon as possible. Early guidance is extremely important.
If you’ve been injured in a supermarket due to someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation. But what exactly can you claim for and how is the amount calculated? At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we help clients understand not just that they may be entitled to damages, but what those damages actually include.
There are two main categories of compensation in Ireland: general damages and special damages.
This covers the physical and psychological impact of your injuries. The amount awarded depends on the nature, severity and duration of the injury.
Examples of general damages include:
The Judicial Council’s Personal Injury Guidelines provide typical ranges for different types of injury. We use these to assess the likely value of your claim and ensure your case is robustly presented.
Special damages compensate you for actual financial losses linked to the accident. These are tailored to each individual and supported by receipts and documentation.
You may be able to claim for:
Each case is unique. We carefully review your medical reports, gather full proof of your losses, and build a claim that reflects both what you’ve already endured and what your future may involve.
Claims are about securing peace of mind. We make sure the supermarket, or their insurer, recognises the full impact of the harm you’ve suffered.
Yes, you may still be entitled to compensation even if you believe you were partially responsible. This is known as contributory negligence, and it means your compensation might be reduced based on your level of responsibility. For example, if you didn’t notice a clear hazard because you were distracted, you might receive a lower percentage of the full amount. We’ll assess this fairly and advise you on your likely outcome before you proceed.
While witness statements can strengthen your case, they are not strictly necessary. Photographic evidence, CCTV footage, your own account, and medical records can all support your claim. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we can request CCTV from the supermarket and help gather other evidence to show what happened.
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident or from the date you became aware of your injury. This is called the statute of limitations. If you miss this deadline, your right to claim may be lost. That’s why it’s vital to speak to a solicitor as soon as possible, even if you’re unsure whether you want to move forward right away.
Yes. If your child was injured in a supermarket, you can make a claim on their behalf as their next friend. The time limit is also different for minors the two-year clock does not start ticking until your child turns 18. However, we strongly recommend starting the process early while evidence is still fresh and memories are clear.
No. In most cases, we’ll arrange medical reports on your behalf and include the cost of those reports as part of your claim. If upfront payment is needed for a specialist report, we’ll explain the cost clearly and help you understand how it will be recovered.
It’s not uncommon for supermarkets or their insurers to dispute liability. They may claim the hazard was unforeseeable or that you should have seen and avoided it. That’s where having experienced legal support makes a real difference. We gather the right evidence, challenge inconsistencies, and build a strong argument based on fact, not assumption.
Most supermarket accident claims in Ireland are settled before reaching a courtroom. However, if the case cannot be resolved through the Injuries Resolution Board or negotiations, it may proceed to litigation. If that happens, we’ll represent you from start to finish and prepare everything in advance so you know what to expect.
If you’ve been injured in a supermarket accident and want clear, confidential advice, we’re ready to help. At Crimmins Howard Solicitors, we’ll listen, explain your options, and support you from start to finish. Contact us today to speak with a local solicitor who understands your situation and will put your best interests first.
