Lidl supermarkets were first established in the UK in 1994. They are based in Germany and are the main competitor to Aldi, described as "no frills" supermarkets. Originally founded in 1930 under a different name, it is now established in over 20 European countries.

In common with other supermarket chains, Lidl is not immune to accidents involving shoppers or staff.

Common Types of Accidents

Accidents Involving Employees.

Most staff work at Lidl, other supermarkets and general retail outlets without injury but accidents can occur. Every employer owes a duty of care to their employees and if they fail in that duty then a claim for compensation may follow. Employees in supermarkets are vulnerable to accidents involving machinery and lifting accidents in particular. Staff may well be using equipment like bacon slicers, knives and other sharp items. The supermarket is under a duty to train the staff in the use of any equipment and to keep that equipment maintained.

The nature of a supermarket means that food and other retail items are being moved from place to place. Deliveries have to be brought in and stacked and accidents can and do occur whilst goods are being moved around or being put on the shelves. Lidl was recently fined for breaching the Health and Safety regulations after a member of staff was hit by a forklift truck. She sustained severe injury to her calf. Any supermarket has to ensure that staff is trained, and that warning signs are exhibited in areas where there might be pedestrians and moving traffic.

In another accident a member of staff received life threatening injuries after being crushed when he and other staff attempted to move a safe.

Accidents Involving Shoppers

As in any environment, accidents can and do happen and injuries can result. Supermarkets have a duty to ensure that visitors ie shoppers can visit and shop in a safe environment. Slipping accidents are an obvious hazard and every year scores of people will be injured falling on products like squashed grapes on the floor, spillages of milk, leaking freezers, and water puddles. There are many instances of claims where shoppers have not been warned of a wet floor by means of warning signs. Injuries can range from cuts and bruises to fractures. If it can be shown that the supermarket was at fault, because they did not have an adequate cleaning regime for example, then compensation often running into many thousands of pounds may be claimed.

Other accidents often involve tripping over objects like pallets and boxes left on the floor and faulty goods purchased causing injury. Food poisoning can also result from poor hygiene or damaged food. All food retailers face similar hazards and claims against all the major chains are not unusual.

Common Injuries, possible compensation and how to claim

Fortunately many accidents result in relatively minor injuries, such as cuts bruises and minor sprains to the wrist or ankle. Compensation for those will be usually somewhere in the hundreds to perhaps two or three thousand pounds depending on the severity of the sprain and the length of recovery time. More serious injury like those to the back causing significant problems or fractures to the ankle or wrists for example could attract court awards ranging from four or five thousand to over twenty thousand pounds. The awards will be based on medical evidence sought by an individual’s solicitor in support of the claim.

If you have suffered an accident in a Lidl supermarket (or indeed any supermarket) in the last 3 years and believe that the supermarket is at fault, then you may be able to make a claim.

First4Lawyers retains a panel of expert solicitors who can advise you on the merits of your claim and act for you on a no win no fee basis.