Whether you’re doing your weekly shopping or visiting a local retail store, you should be able to move about safely. Unfortunately, many people across Northern Ireland suffer injuries in shops due to unsafe conditions – often through no fault of their own.
Supermarkets and retailers like Tesco, Lidl, Asda, Spar, Iceland, M&S, and Centra have a legal duty to protect their customers and visitors from foreseeable harm. If you’ve been injured as a result of poor maintenance or negligence, you may be entitled to pursue a shop injury claim in Northern Ireland.
The Law: Your Right to Safety as a Visitor
Under the Occupiers’ Liability Act (Northern Ireland) 1957 and the Occupiers’ Liability (Northern Ireland) Order 1987, those in control of public premises – including shops and supermarkets – are legally required to take reasonable care to ensure that visitors are safe while on the premises.
This means they must:
- Maintain clean and dry floors
- Regularly inspect for hazards
- Stack items safely
- Fix or warn of dangerous conditions
- Train staff to follow safety protocols
When this duty is breached and someone is injured, the occupier (such as the shop owner or managing company) can be held liable for compensation and you may bring a shop injury claim in Northern Ireland.
Common Causes of Shop Injuries
At Lacey Solicitors, we have acted for clients across Belfast, Newtownabbey, Lisburn, Derry~Londonderry, Craigavon, Omagh, Bangor, and Newry who have suffered injuries in retail settings due to:
- Slipping on unmarked wet floors
- Tripping over stock or uneven flooring
- Being struck by falling goods from shelves
- Defective shopping trolleys or baskets
- Accidents in car parks with poor lighting or potholes
In many cases, these injuries are entirely preventable with proper care and attention.
What Should You Do After a Shop Accident?
If you’re injured in a retail environment, it’s important to protect your health — and your legal position:
- Report the accident to staff and make sure it is written in the store’s accident book
- Take photographs of the hazard and your injuries
- Request CCTV footage (if available)
- Get witness names and contact details
- Attend your GP or A&E to have your injuries cared for
- Seek advice from an experienced personal injury solicitor
What Can You Claim For?
If the store or supermarket was negligent, you may be entitled to compensation for:
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of income
- Medical expenses
- Travel costs
- Future treatment or rehabilitation needs
We act for clients in Belfast, Antrim, Armagh, Ballymena, Coleraine, Enniskillen, and Strabane, and can advise on your specific entitlements.
Why Choose Lacey Solicitors?
We are trusted by injured clients across Northern Ireland for our:
- Proven expertise in retail and occupiers’ liability claims
- Experienced, professional team of personal injury solicitors
- Clear, compassionate and confidential legal advice
- Strong track record in maximising compensation in shop injury claims in Northern Ireland
- Offices in Belfast and Dublin, serving the whole island of Ireland
We understand how stressful it can be to suffer an injury in a public place — especially when it leads to time off work, medical appointments, or financial strain. Let us support you in making a claim that reflects the true impact on your life.
Start Your Shop Injury Claim Today
If you’ve had an accident in a Tesco, Lidl, Asda, M&S, or any other supermarket or shop in Northern Ireland, don’t wait to get the advice you need.
Call our Belfast office today, or use our secure online contact form to leave a message — and one of our experienced solicitors will call you back that same day.
