£180,000 Compensation secured following a supermarket slip

Long term disability from slip in Sainsbury’s supermarket

On the day of the accident, Saturday 15th October 2015, Debra Wood was routinely visiting her local Sainsbury’s supermarket to complete her weekly shop. Shopping alone with only a few items in her basket, Debra walked down the main aisle of the store to the back near the Deli counter when all of a sudden, her foot went from underneath her. She fell with force onto her right hand, which took her whole-body weight, and resulted in her severely damaging her wrist.

“I knew I stepped on something green and the Sainsbury’s worker went over and identified it as a green grape. We thought at the time it was from the Deli Counter but no grapes were there so a customer must have discarded it.”

“I was treated immediately by the store’s First Aider, who got me comfortable while waiting for the ambulance. I then went straight to the local hospital. It was badly swollen so although they X-Rayed it, I was discharged and asked to attend again on Monday after the swelling had gone down. It was after that appointment that they then said I required surgery to correct it.

“Unfortunately, despite having undergone 5 wrist operations, with metal plates inserted and bone grafts to correct my movement, I still can’t move my right wrist fully.

“Due to the limited movement in my wrist, it also impacted my shoulder too as I was using that to compensate for the lack of movement in my wrist.

“Over the last six years, I’ve lost count of the number of months I’ve been in plaster following an operation and then attended several physiotherapy sessions, only to find out something else is wrong. I’ve developed chronic pain syndrome and also had to have a carpal tunnel operation due to a trapped nerve.

“My life really has been put on hold and revolved around the hospital appointments.

“Luckily my husband, who was able at the time but unfortunately passed away from his illness not long ago, was able to care for me. I got so frustrated and depressed and no longer wanted to leave the house. You see, it’s the little things that we all take for granted that I needed help with on a daily basis and I got frustrated that I couldn’t manage myself. You don’t realise what they are until you can’t do them yourself. Washing and drying my hair, brushing my teeth, putting on a bra. Simple tasks that my husband had to help me with.

“I’ve now learnt to adapt to my limited movement and for instance brush my teeth now by moving my head instead of the brush.

“I’ve made a lot of progress and adaptations around the house to help me live a relatively normal life.

“It was a chance meeting with a friend of a friend who worked in insurance that suggested I might have a claim.

“Express wasn’t the first firm that I spoke with. I was actually discounted by two other lawyers who told me they both wouldn’t be taking on my case.

“I then spoke to the team at Express through responding to an Injury Lawyers 4U TV ad. The Express team there was incredible, so supportive and kept me well informed. What I really appreciated was the fact that they communicated in plain language, no waffle or legal terms so I felt in control at all times. I developed a great relationship with them and they too with my late husband also, and I’ve happily recommended them to others. They were simply brilliant.”

Debra’s case was settled out of court in May 2021. Securing £180,000 compensation, the money has provided her and her son with the security to continue living in her current home and have added two sausage dogs puppies for company. Debra has also found the confidence to return to work at her local social club on a part-time basis.

Commenting on the conclusion of the case, Katryn Mercer, from Express Solicitors, added: “The team are delighted that Debra could finally put this ordeal behind her as best she could and move on with her life. The amount secured was well above what we’d usually expect in a slip and trip case and an incredible achievement for the whole team.”