Claiming Compensation From Tesco For An Accident

By Author: Daniel Prior
Total Articles: 1
Comment this article

With its famous motto claiming that 'every little helps', Tesco has for many years been the UK's largest supermarket chain, and currently controls 30% of the market. Tesco is also the fourth largest retailer in the world, a truly global player with stores in 14 countries. In Britain Tesco employs almost 300,000 people, making it the country's largest private sector employer. With millions of shoppers visiting Tesco stores every week, inevitably accidents do occur and customers are injured through no fault of their own, but rather due to the negligence of Tesco management or staff. Under the Occupiers' Liability Act 1957, Tesco are obliged to take all reasonable measures to prevent shoppers from getting injured on their premises. They owe a similar of duty of care to their employees, including providing a safe workplace and a safe system of work.

Tesco stores are often full of customers, especially at peak times such as lunchtime and after work. These are often the points when the store's system of inspections and cleaning breaks down. Spilled produce may not be cleared up within a reasonable time-frame, creating a ...
... hazard for shoppers and causing slips, falls and injuries. It is for this reason that Tesco have rigorous and detailed systems in place to ensure that spills are cleared up as soon as possible, and do not pose a risk to their customers. Especially during hectic periods however these systems may not work as intended, and this can be the fault of either Tesco management or staff. Areas that have recently been cleaned may be slippery, and where the surface cannot immediately be dried warning signs must be erected to prevent shoppers from slipping and injuring themselves.

Typical products that are spilled in supermarkets include fruits, juices, milk, butter, sandwich ingredients and toiletries. Tesco aisles may be slippery from recent cleaning or from leaking refrigeration units. Product packaging materials and stock pallets may be left in aisles causing shoppers to trip and fall over them. Where shelves have been poorly stacked or are too crowded cans may fall off them, potentially striking the person below. Injuries to children are relatively common in supermarkets, as parents frequently have difficulty in keeping an eye on them while doing the shopping. Tesco car parks are another possible scene of accidents, including falls on uneven surfaces and slips on snow and ice in winter. Supermarkets must maintain adequate supplies of salt or grit to deal with wintery conditions, and must ensure that their outdoor areas are properly maintained.

Tesco employees are also at risk of injury from hazards in their working environment. The dangers they face are mainly the same as those faced by their customers, though additional risks include the handling of sharp objects, such as knives and shredders on fish, meat and cheese counters. Tesco employees may also sustain back injuries from heavy or repetitive lifting and stacking of crates and products. Typical injuries from slips and trips at Tesco stores include sprained ankles, dislocated fingers, back strains and rotator cuff (shoulder) damage. The impact of a fall can cause more serious injuries to older people and children, who have weaker bones, and are naturally more prone to accidents than normal adults. Tesco owes a legal duty of care to both its customers and employees. Where this duty of care has been breached, by either management or staff, and an injury has been caused by this breach, claiming compensation from Tesco will be possible.

Bartletts Solicitors are specialists at claiming compensation for both customers and employees who have been injured at a Tesco store. We will claim compensation for accidents on a no win no fee basis meaning that if you win your case you will keep 100% of damages awarded. For more details on Compensation From Tesco and Suing Tesco than please visit our website www.workrelatedinjury.co.uk