How Much Compensation for a Supermarket Injury? 2026 Payout Ranges
Quick answer
Supermarket injury compensation has two parts: general damages for pain, suffering and loss of amenity, valued using the Judicial College Guidelines, and special damages for financial losses such as lost earnings, care and travel. Minor injuries usually settle for a few thousand pounds; serious fractures, back or head injuries can reach tens of thousands.
In the UK, compensation isn't a random figure. It's calculated based on two distinct categories. Our supermarket slip compensation claims guide explains the legal process of securing these funds.
What Are General Damages in a Supermarket Injury Claim?
General damages compensate you for pain, suffering, and loss of amenity caused by your injury. UK solicitors use the Judicial College Guidelines to value these. Under the 18th edition (April 2026), for example, a minor back injury that recovers within 3 months is valued at up to £3,240, and a minor brain or head injury at £2,920 to £16,870.
Solicitors and courts use the Judicial College Guidelines to determine the value of an injury. The amount depends on the severity and the recovery time.
Back injury brackets
| Bracket | General damages (2026) |
|---|---|
| Minor back injury – type (iv)Recovery within 3 months | Up to £3,240 |
| Minor back injury – type (iii)Recovery between 3 and 12 months | £3,240 to £5,750 |
| Minor back injury – type (ii)Recovery between 12 and 24 months | £5,750 to £10,420 |
| Minor back injury – type (i)Recovery between 2 and 5 years | £10,420 to £16,520 |
| Moderate back injury – type (ii) | £16,520 to £36,680 |
| Moderate back injury – type (i) | £36,680 to £51,230 |
| Severe back injury – type (iii) | £51,230 to £92,130 |
| Severe back injury – type (ii) | £97,980 to £116,820 |
| Severe back injury – type (i) | £120,340 to £212,670 |
Head and brain injury brackets
| Bracket | General damages (2026) |
|---|---|
| Minor brain or head injury | £2,920 to £16,870 |
| Less severe brain damage | £20,240 to £56,890 |
| Moderate brain damage – type (iii) | £56,890 to £119,860 |
| Moderate brain damage – type (ii) | £119,860 to £198,320 |
| Moderate brain damage – type (i) | £198,320 to £289,420 |
| Moderately severe brain damage | £289,420 to £372,570 |
| Very severe brain damage | £372,570 to £533,720 |
We only publish brackets we have verified against the 18th edition of the Judicial College Guidelines, so other injuries (wrist, ankle, hip, shoulder) are not tabulated here. Every case is valued individually from the medical evidence.
What Are Special Damages and How Are They Calculated?
This is often where the largest part of a claim lies. If a slip at Tesco or ASDA left you unable to work for three months, your claim should cover:
Loss of Earnings
Including bonuses and overtime you missed while recovering.
Care & Assistance
Even if family cared for you for free, you can claim for their time at a commercial rate.
Medical Costs
Private physiotherapy, prescriptions, and travel to medical appointments.
Damaged Property
If you smashed your phone or ruined expensive clothing when you fell.
Payouts from large retailers like ASDA often include extensive negotiations over Special Damages.
The "Duration" Factor
A "broken arm" isn't a fixed price. A solicitor will look at how the injury affected your life:
Are you a manual labourer who can no longer lift heavy objects?
Are you a pianist who lost finger dexterity?
Did the injury prevent you from participating in hobbies or sports?
These "Loss of Amenity" factors can significantly increase a payout beyond the base injury value.
Quick Compensation Check
Answer these questions to assess your claim
Click each question to indicate YES if it applies to your situation.
Why You Shouldn't Accept the First Offer
Supermarkets or their insurers may contact you shortly after an accident with a "pre-medical" offer (a cash sum to settle quickly).
Be cautious. If you accept this and your injury turns out to be more permanent than you thought, you cannot ask for more money later.
Compensation Calculation FAQ
Common questions about how supermarket slip payouts are calculated.
Start Your Claim Today
Navigating a claim against a major retailer like Tesco, ASDA, or Aldi can be daunting. Their insurers will examine your account closely. A solicitor can look at the cleaning logs, ask for CCTV to be preserved and explain your options.
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Injured somewhere other than a supermarket? Our guide to average slip and fall payouts in the UK covers falls in any public place.
What can be added to a general damages figure
General damages compensate for pain, suffering and loss of amenity. Financial losses are assessed separately and added.
- Past loss of earnings: payslips, sick-pay letters and your employer's confirmation of time off.
- Treatment and medication costs you paid for, with receipts.
- Travel to appointments and hospital, with dates and mileage or fares.
- Care or help you needed, including help from family, which a solicitor can assess.
- Future losses, such as ongoing treatment or reduced earning capacity, which need medical and employment evidence.
- Deductions to be aware of: any reduction for your own share of responsibility, and benefits the government can recover from compensation.
You do not need every answer before asking for an assessment. Use our evidence checklist to note them down. This is general information, not legal advice, and has not been reviewed for your circumstances.