Slipped in a Shop or Supermarket? You Could Be Owed Thousands.
Wet floors from spills, leaking fridges, or cleaning without adequate warning signs are the most common causes of slip injuries in shops and supermarkets. Fruit, vegetables, liquids and condensation on tiled floors create serious hazards — particularly for older customers. When a shop fails to clean up spills promptly or warn customers of wet floors, they are in breach of their legal duty of care.
Scottish Claims Helpline handles slip in shop and supermarket claims across Scotland on a no win no fee basis. Under the Occupiers’ Liability (Scotland) Act 1960, shops must take reasonable care for the safety of their customers. There is no financial risk to you.
How Much Could You Receive?
| Injury Type | Typical Award |
|---|
| Minor sprains and bruising | £2,000 - £5,000 |
| Ligament damage or soft tissue | £5,000 - £15,000 |
| Wrist or ankle fractures | £8,000 - £25,000 |
| Hip fracture (common in older adults) | £25,000 - £40,000+ |
Based on Judicial College Guidelines for pain and suffering only.
That’s not all. Additional payments cover lost earnings while off work, private physiotherapy, medication, mobility aids, travel to appointments and any ongoing care or assistance. Hip fractures in older adults can require months of rehabilitation and may result in permanent reduced mobility.
Who Can Claim?
Any customer or visitor who slips, trips or falls in a shop, supermarket, shopping centre, restaurant, pub, café or retail premises due to the occupier’s negligence. Common causes include wet floors from spills or cleaning, produce (grapes, lettuce) on the floor, leaking freezer cabinets, uneven flooring, loose mats, and poor lighting. You can claim even if the shop placed a wet floor sign — the sign alone does not absolve them if the spill was there too long or the sign was inadequately placed.
Slip in Shop Claims — Frequently Asked Questions
Minor sprains: £2,000-£5,000. Ligament damage: £5,000-£15,000. Fractures: £8,000-£25,000. Hip fractures: £25,000-£40,000+. Lost earnings claimed separately.
The shop or supermarket owner under the Occupiers’ Liability (Scotland) Act 1960. They must maintain clean, dry floors, use warning signs during cleaning, and clean up spills promptly.
Photographs of the wet floor or hazard, an incident report from the shop, witness details, medical records, and receipts showing you were in the shop. CCTV may also be available.
Possibly. A warning sign does not automatically absolve the shop. If the spill was present for an unreasonable time, or the sign was inadequately placed, the shop may still be liable.
Shops commonly deny liability. Your solicitor will obtain CCTV, cleaning records and witness evidence. Even if partly at fault, contributory negligence means you still receive a reduced award.
3 years from the accident date under the Prescription and Limitation (Scotland) Act 1973.
How Do I Start My Claim?
It takes 2 minutes. Fill in our short form and one of our specialist Scottish solicitors will call you back — all completely free and with no obligation. You pay nothing unless you win.
About this page: Written by the Scottish Claims Helpline editorial team. Reviewed by a qualified Scottish solicitor. Last reviewed February 2026. Scottish Claims Helpline is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (
FRN 830381).