Avoid Supermarket or Shopping Centre injury this Christmas

 
Dec. 3, 2015 - PRLog -- Now that Christmas is upon us, most of us have realised that we have a lot to buy in a short space of time. We are frantically rushing to shopping centres and supermarkets to try and do the impossible… including buying everyone a gift in just one day!

According to the NHS, more than 80,000 people needed hospital treatment in the UK for cuts, falls and burns over the Christmas period last year.

Shopping centres and supermarkets notoriously become busier as Christmas fast approaches and bargains are released on Black Friday but, in the rush to get everything done, we often don’t take enough care when dashing around.  Rain pours down as we run from shop to shop and people often don’t think twice as they lower their umbrella and shake it like a wet dog in the foyer of the supermarket or shopping centre. Customers are often on a Christmas mission, so not even a stumble over a folded wet floor mat will stop them in tracks.

Kelly Chaytor, Public Liability solicitor at NewLaw said, “Even though shops are not usually the ones causing these hazards, they still have a legal duty to ensure that all visitors are kept reasonably safe.

‘Often wet floor signs are displayed at the entrance where the trail of water follows the umbrellas and wet floor mats are flush to the floor. It is not uncommon for cleaning contractors to be brought in to patrol the centres and stores on a regular basis to pick up, clean and mop up after the determined customer on a mission to complete their Christmas shop. Indeed, owners are obliged to take reasonable steps to ensure that their visitors are reasonably safe when using their premises and if they fail to do so, a visitor suffering injuries could be entitled to claim for compensation.”

Shopping centres and supermarkets have a care of duty to do what is reasonable. You are also under a duty to take care for your own safety. This is why you should always be extra vigilant when shopping in wet weather or at busier times.

“We help many clients in making claims following a slipping or tripping accident. Some injuries are minor and resolve quickly. However, some of our clients have suffered serious injuries including fractures that have required surgery as a result of accidents that they have had at shopping centres and supermarkets”, continued Kelly.

A few key tips to reduce your risk of an accident this Christmas:

• if you trip over a folded wet floor mat, don’t rush off – flip it back to the correct position

• shake your umbrella off outdoors and where possible, place it back in its sleeve to avoid the water trailing behind you in the store

• alert members of staff to any areas of wet floor where a sign is not clearly displayed

• if you have had an accident, report it

• even if you fall outside the shopping centre or supermarket over a raised paving slab or wobbly tile, make a report

Following these simple steps could be the difference between one near miss and several accidents at Christmas.

We hope you have a safe and happy Christmas.

Contact
Kiki Farr, Marketing Manager
NewLaw Solicitors
***@new-law.co.uk
0333 003 1909
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Industry:Legal
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