Just Had A Tumble

[Purple_Popple]

and fall in my local superstore (pitch black), didnt see the kerb and tripped up it smacking my head and bruising my knuckles, also scrapped both knees...Im ok, just pride dented, but there was no lighting in the car park - there are lights but they were all out, I have reported my fall to the store manager who wrote everything down in their accident book, what happens in this case, as the car park is pitch black without the lighting - who would be at fault the council or the superstore ?

[Eve]

Was it in the private carpark rather than on the public highway?

[boxtops]

If it's the store's car park, then it's their responsibility. If you want to claim for personal injury etc., you need to write to the store manager and ask them to pass it to their public liability insurers. They'll sort out whose liability it is. Keep copies of everything, send your letter by a recorded method so receipt can be confirmed.

[boxtops]

PS - sorry to hear about your fall, I bet you'll be sore. Watch out for that knock to your head.

[society]

Take pictures of your injuries small or big, you never know if or when they might come in handy.

[Purple_Popple]

private store car park, the store manager had no idea all the lights were out - as its usually well lit.

[Purple_Popple]

Thanks all for your advice, no point claiming, but it could have been a lot worse.

[society]

Glad you are okay, PurpleP. Stay clear from dark or unlit places and do watch your steps.

[boxtops]

YOu can claim for being shook up, damage to tights, etc.... anything to prevent it happening to somebody else.

[coccinelle]

I'm quite surprised that the answers sway to some kind of compensation.. is the UK getting like the US these days?
Can you imagine this scenario 100 years ago? unless you are paying into some kind of insurance for this kind of thing I don't see the problem.

[Mamyalynne]

I most certainly would have reported it, businesses have a duty of care to their customers and a pitch dark car park could be lethal.

Compensation claims are a different matter, up to the individual and whether it impacts on their life in any way, lost time off work for example.

[daffy654]

Nice to see that you are not asking about compensation as many would.
It seems you have done everything the correct way as to informing the store manager.

[askyourgran]

You can claim if you have suffered some injury or damage due to their negligence. Having a witness is helpful. I would have thought an unlit carpark is particularly dangerous. Once you get over the shock take care of your injuries.

[joko]

i agree they need to be told - it could have been a nastier fall - i would go and see them and complain - you may get some kind of voucher as a gesture of apology and good will - its the least you deserve.

that said was it really 'pitch' black ? or just darker than usual?

[Purple_Popple]

Joko - it was black as pitch, seriously, it looked like a night in the blitz, even the store manager was shocked as she didnt realise all the lights were out in the store car park. Yes, it could have been a nastier fall, but I have reported my injuries and the store manager took my details down in their accident book, but what I really wanted to know is the council at fault or the store ?