Many of us visit restaurants on a regular basis. We don’t expect anything to happen to us when we do so. The vast majority of restaurants across the UK are diligent in their duty of care towards their customers. However, there are situations when accidents in restaurants can occur as well as illness.
All restaurant owners must make sure they follow the rules set out in the Occupiers Liability Act 1957. They must do this to minimise the risk of accidents happening. If you have an accident in a restaurant, and it is due to the fault of the restaurant owner, then you may be eligible to make a personal injury claim.
Common Accidents in Restaurants
- Slipping on wet floors
- Trips and falls
- Badly maintained facilities
- Food poisoning
Restaurant owners must ensure that the restaurant is fit for purpose and a safe environment for those invited or permitted to be there.
Restaurant operators need to be vigilant, display clear warning signs and not only abide by the Occupiers Liability Act 1957 but also their duty of care to customers and those invited onto the premises.
It is worth noting that this obligation also takes in any surrounding premises for which the restaurant owner is responsible. So, if any incidents were to occur in the restaurant’s car park or the entrance to the restaurant this might also leave open a potential case for compensation.
Accidents in Restaurants for Staff
If you are a staff member working in a restaurant, you may also have an accident at work. Restaurant kitchens can be very unsafe places if owners do not maintain and clean them properly. If restaurants aren’t kept safe for staff, and you have an accident, then your employer may be at fault, and you may be able to make a claim.
Some of the most common accidents in restaurants for staff include:
- Slipping in spillages
- Burn injuries
- Injuries with kitchen equipment
If you are using any kitchen equipment, such as cookers or knives, and you haven’t had the adequate training to be able to use them, then your employer may be at fault if you have an accident.
We understand that you might be worried about losing your job or being treated differently if you make a claim against your employer, but this isn’t true. In fact, when you make any type of accident at work claim against your employer, you’re protected by law. This means you can’t be dismissed or treated differently just because you’ve involved solicitors.
When you make a claim against your employer, it is also worth noting that it is their insurer who pays any compensation. All businesses in the UK must have business insurance in case accidents at work happen.
How We Can Help
Here at The Compensation Experts, we work with solicitors who have years of experience dealing with personal injury claims. This includes accidents in restaurants. Contact us today by filling in our contact form. Or call us on 01614138765 to speak to one of our friendly experts.