Slip On A Spillage In A Petrol Station Shop Customer Injury Claim
In this Q&A – a petrol station customer suffers a broken wrist and dislocated shoulder when slipping on a wet floor spillage in a petrol station shop.
We explain – when you can claim; the types of compensation that can be claimed; provide calculations for lost income and describe pain and suffering payouts.
Description – Petrol Station Shop Spillage Slip Accident Claim
I went to a local petrol station to fill my car up with diesel. When I had finished filling my tank up – I left the forecourt and walked into the petrol station shop to make my payment.
I entered the shop and approached the counter. Suddenly my feet went from under me. I noticed at this point that the tiled floor was wet.
Petrol station attendant aware of customer spillage
The attendant saw me slip and immediately apologised. He explained that an earlier customer had spilt a drink and he had not had the chance to come out to clear it.
I landed heavily on my right wrist – in an attempt to stop my fall. My wrist together with my right shoulder started to cause me a lot of pain. Too much to be able to drive.
The counter attendant called for assistance.
Assisted by petrol station employee
Another member of staff came. He mopped the spillage and put some cones around the wet area.
He helped to move my car to a parking spot at the petrol station then an ambulance was called and an accident book entry made.
Accurate accident book entry made
I requested he specifically include what his colleague had said about the spillage and not having time to clear it up, which he did.
Injuries diagnosed and treated
The ambulance took me to A&E hospital where I was examined and x-rayed. Both a displaced fracture of my wrist and a dislocated shoulder were diagnosed.
I had shoulder was manually manipulated back into place. My wrist required an operation to manipulate the bone back into and to have some k wires fitted.
My wrist is still in a cast, my shoulder is causing me pain and I am unable to work as a heating engineer losing £600 a week.
Can I make a petrol station shop slip accident claim for compensation for my injuries and my lost income?
ANSWER – Petrol Station Slip Accident Claim Response
It is most likely that you will have a claim from the petrol station business for the following reasons:
Duty of care
The petrol station business owes a duty of care to you as a customer to keep you safe when using their facilities. This duty is owed both as the occupier of the premises and as a business used by the public.
Public liability insurance for petrol station accident claims
The petrol station will have appropriate public liability insurance. This insurance will pay you compensation should you succeed with your claim.
System to deal with shop spillages
A business should have in place a system to deal with spillages. Not only a reasonable inspection system, but also a system to deal with a spillage when identified.
Spillage known to petrol station attendant
It was accepted by the petrol station till attendant that the spillage had already been identified. However. it was not sufficient (and therefore negligent) that he was too busy to ensure that the area was correctly cleaned (or cordoned off appropriately).
Therefore – it is likely that the business will be seen to have breached its duty of care through negligence and the issue of liability should be proven.
Evidence to support your version of events
It is all too common, that after an accident event employees might change their story as to what was stated orally had happened (so as to avoid repercussions at work themselves). However, you were prudent in ensuring that an accurate entry was made into the accident book of your accident circumstances.
In any event – it would be quite likely the petrol station would have CCTV specifically aimed at the counter, so your accident would likely have been captured.
A solicitor making a petrol station slip accident claim on your behalf can obtain access to both the CCTV and the accident book entry. This evidence can be used to verify your version of events should liability be disputed.
Types and amounts of compensation you can claim
You are entitled to claim general damages for your pain, suffering and loss of amenity (as a result of your physical and psychological injuries). Here – a fractured wrist and a dislocated shoulder.
It could be that there are other injuries you have suffered, such as secondary symptoms and a psychological response.
Therefore, we recommend you keep appropriate records (including a diary of your pain and suffering). In this way – you will be able to accurately identify all of your injuries and thus ensure you are correctly compensated.
See our articles – how your solicitor proves the injuries you have suffered and calculates compensation amounts.
See our articles fractured wrist compensation and dislocated shoulder claims for examples of compensation payouts for your specific injuries.
In addition to general damages – you can claim special damages (financial loss and expense as a direct result of your accident). This will include lost income (both past and future), so long as it can be proven.
See our articles – types of financial loss and expense and proving lost income claims.
FREE Legal Help And Assistance
See our free telephone / online specialist solicitor assistance options. You can ask further questions, have your petrol station slip accident claim assessed or speak to our solicitors direct.
Your injuries are quite serious and as such it is important that you have a specialist solicitor assist you with your compensation claim. Remember – generally a no win no fee agreement can be used to fund your solicitor costs to make your petrol station shop injury claim..
