Shopping Centre Accident Claims

If you’ve suffered an injury in a shopping centre, you might be entitled to compensation. Providing somebody else was at fault, we may be able to help you make a shopping centre accident claim and seek appropriate compensation on your behalf.

Accidents in shopping centres can happen in many ways — from slips, trips and falls to injuries caused by falling objects or even food poisoning. Whatever the cause, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible to understand your rights and whether you can make a claim.

For a free case assessment, call 0800 470 0472 today or enter your details into our online claim form to request a call back.  If you’re eligible to proceed, you’ll receive expert legal support from a dedicated solicitor on a No Win No Fee basis.

Table of Contents

• Duty of care of shopping centres towards visitors
• Am I eligible to make a shopping centre accident claim?
• What should I do if I have an accident in a shopping centre?
• How do I make a compensation claim for a shop accident?
• Common accidents and injuries suffered in shopping centres
• Can I claim for an accident while working at a shopping centre?
• Can I claim compensation on behalf of my child?
• Is there a time limit to make a shopping centre accident claim?
• How much compensation is my personal injury claim worth?
• Can I make a claim under a No Win No Fee agreement?

Duty of care of shopping centres towards visitors

Shopping centres, like all public premises, have a legal duty of care to ensure that visitors are kept reasonably safe while on-site. This duty is outlined in the Occupiers’ Liability Act 1957 and applies to all areas accessible to the public.

To meet their legal responsibilities, shopping centres should:

• Carry out regular risk assessments to identify potential hazards;
• Maintain premises in a safe condition, including floors, walkways, elevators and escalators;
• Have a system in place to address hazards such as spills or obstructions promptly;
• Display clear warning signs for dangers that can’t be immediately eliminated;
• Have clear safety procedures and trained staff to respond to incidents and emergencies;
• Ensure there is adequate lighting in all areas, including car parks;
• Make reasonable adjustments for disabled visitors, such as installing ramps and handrails, as the Equality Act 2010 mandates.

If an accident occurs due to a failure to meet these duties, you may be entitled to make a personal injury claim against the shopping centre.

Am I eligible to make a shopping centre accident claim?

Although online shopping is more popular than ever, an Ipsos poll found that 47% of Brits still visit a shopping centre or high street at least once a week. While this is typically a positive experience for most people, accidents can sometimes happen and can lead to a shopping centre accident claim.

If you were injured in an accident at a shopping centre, you should get in touch with a solicitor to find out if you can make a personal injury claim. They may be able to help you secure compensation if they can prove the following:

• The shopping centre breached its duty of care towards you;
• Your accident occurred as a direct result of their negligence;
• You suffered injuries as a result within the past three years.

If you can proceed, your solicitor will offer expert guidance and support through all the steps of the claims process. They will manage the entire process, allowing you to focus on your recovery without the added stress of legal proceedings.

Try our claim assessment form below to see if you may have a valid claim:

What should I do if I have an accident in a shopping centre?

Taking the correct steps after an accident in a shopping centre can help ensure your safety and protect your legal right to make a public liability claim. Your first priority should always be your safety and well-being.

• Seek medical care. The first thing you should do is assess yourself for injuries and call the emergency services if you have suffered any major trauma. If not, you should still visit your GP or the hospital as soon as possible, even if your injuries seem minor.
• Make an accident report. Inform the security, customer service or the shopping centre management about your accident. Ask them to fill out an accident report and ask for a signed copy of it.
• Gather evidence. If you can, take pictures of the accident scene and the hazard that caused it before anything is moved. Also, take photos of your injuries and ask for the contact details of any witnesses.
• Keep a journal. Write down all the details you can remember about the accident. Include details of the symptoms you experienced, as well as how your injuries have affected your life. You should also keep financial documents for all the related losses and expenses.
• Seek legal advice. Speak to an experienced solicitor as soon as possible to find out if you can claim personal injury compensation.

How do I make a compensation claim for a shop accident?

If you were injured in a shopping centre and you want to begin a claim, you must speak to a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. They will review the circumstances of your accident and let you know if you are eligible for compensation.

If a breach of duty can be established, your solicitor will help gather all the evidence you need to prove how your accident occurred and how it has affected your life.

Once the details of your case are clear, your solicitor will send a letter of claim to the shopping centre or their insurer, outlining your allegations of negligence and the compensation being sought. If they accept liability, your solicitor will begin to negotiate a settlement.

If they deny liability for your accident, your solicitor may issue court proceedings to move your claim forward. However, it’s worth noting that fewer than 4% of personal injury claims end up in court. Most are resolved through negotiations without the need for a court appearance.

Common accidents and injuries suffered in shopping centres

Shopping centres are usually enjoyable places to shop, eat, watch a film, or meet with friends. However, when the duty of care owed to visitors is not upheld, accidents can occur, often resulting in preventable injuries, such as:

• Slips, trips and falls. These are often caused by hazards such as wet floors, spillages, poor lighting or uneven surfaces. Common injuries include ankle sprains, muscle strains, broken wrists or back injuries.
• Being hit by falling objects – improperly stacked merchandise or unsecured display items can fall and injure customers, potentially leading to concussions, lacerations, or broken bones.
• Food poisoning and allergic reactions. These can occur when food outlets fail to follow hygiene regulations or do not correctly label allergens.
• Escalator accidents. Mechanical malfunctions or poorly maintained escalators can result in serious injuries, such as falls from height, crush injuries or entrapment.
• Criminal assaults. Dimly lit or poorly monitored areas of the shopping centre can become perfect locations for robberies and assaults. These can lead to both physical and psychological injury claims.
• Car park accidents. Busy shopping centres and poorly maintained car parks can be the site of car collisions and pedestrian accidents, resulting in anything from minor bruising to fractures or head injuries.
• Injuries from poorly maintained furniture. Sharp edges or loose screws on chairs, benches and other furniture can cause cuts, puncture wounds, or infections requiring medical treatment.

If you’ve suffered an injury in a shopping centre accident that wasn’t your fault, our panel of solicitors can help you claim compensation for your pain, suffering, and financial losses.

Can I claim for an accident while working at a shopping centre?

If you work in a shopping centre, your employer owes you a duty of care under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974. They must take all reasonable steps to prevent injuries by implementing measures such as:

• Carrying out regular risk assessments
• Ensure a safe working environment that is free of slip, trip and fall hazards;
• Provide adequate training, instruction and supervision
• When necessary, offer personal protective equipment (PPE) that is free of charge
• Provide adequate welfare facilities
• Ensure all equipment and machinery are safe for use and well-maintained
• Address risks related to manual handling
• Ensure the proper lighting and ventilation in all areas of work
• Provide adequate security measures to keep employees safe from assaults

If your employer failed to take reasonable measures to protect your health and safety and you suffered harm because of their negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.

Making an accident at work claim is your legal right, and your employer is not allowed to penalise you for doing so. If you are dismissed, demoted, or mistreated for pursuing a claim, you may also be able to bring a case for unfair dismissal at an employment tribunal.

Can I claim compensation on behalf of my child?

Shopping centres have a heightened level of responsibility towards children, who are more vulnerable to injury and less aware of potential hazards. They must recognise that children are frequent visitors and take extra precautions to keep them safe from harm.

If your child suffered an injury in a shopping centre due to negligence, you could act as their litigation friend and make a claim on their behalf. A solicitor with experience in child injury claims will guide you through the process and help you complete the necessary paperwork.

As with any personal injury claim, your solicitor will handle the legal aspects on your behalf, from gathering evidence to negotiating a fair settlement. You’ll support the process by helping with practical steps, such as providing documentation and making key decisions in your child’s best interests.

If compensation is awarded, it must be approved by a judge at an Infant Approval Hearing. The money will be kept in a personal injury trust or a court bank account and released to the child on their 18th birthday.

Is there a time limit to make a shopping centre accident claim?

You usually have three years from the date of the accident to make a personal injury compensation claim. This time limit is governed by the Limitation Act 1980.

If you fail to begin legal proceedings within this three-year window, your claim will usually be time-barred, meaning you may no longer be eligible to seek compensation.

There are, however, a few exceptions:

• If your injury developed over time or did not become immediately apparent, the time limit begins from the date of knowledge. This refers to when your condition was diagnosed and linked to the accident you had in a shopping centre.
• Child injury claims have no limitation period up to the child’s 18th birthday. Afterwards, the child has until 21 to initiate a claim against a shopping centre themselves.
• There is generally no time limit while you are claiming on behalf of someone who lacks the mental capacity to conduct their own case.

How much compensation is my personal injury claim worth?

The amount of compensation you can claim if you were injured at a shopping centre will depend on two types of damages, known as general damages and special damages. The former is based on the type and severity of your injuries, and the latter is for financial losses related to your accident.

When calculating your compensation award, your solicitor will take into account the following:

• Physical and emotional pain
• Scarring or long-term disability
• Impact on your ability to enjoy your hobbies and social life
• Private medical treatments and rehabilitation
• Loss of earnings and reduced earning capacity
• The cost of repairing or replacing personal items damaged in the accident
• Travel expenses for medical appointments
• Adaptations to your home or vehicle to accommodate a disability

Your solicitor will assess your case in full and fight to secure the maximum settlement.

Try our free compensation calculator to get a rough idea of how much your claim could be worth.

Can I make a claim under a No Win No Fee agreement?

If you are entitled to make a shopping centre injury claim, the solicitors we partner with will happily offer you a no win no fee service. Under this agreement, you don’t have to pay any upfront legal fees, and you will only pay your solicitor if your claim is successful.

If your solicitor wins your claim, they will take a success fee from your compensation award. This is subject to a legal cap (currently up to 25% of certain parts of your compensation) and is discussed and agreed upon right from the beginning. If the claim is unsuccessful, you won’t have to pay them anything.

To find out if you can make a no win no fee claim for a shopping centre accident, call 0800 470 0472 or request a call back. You will receive a free consultation with no obligation to proceed.

Last edited on 18th Aug 2026

Nicholas Tate (LLB Hons, LLM in Health Law) has over 15 years’ experience in the legal industry, with specialist knowledge of personal injury and medical negligence claims.