Farmfoods has become a staple for many households looking for affordable frozen goods and bulk bargains. With more than 300 stores across the UK, it is known for stacked freezers, narrow aisles, and quick stock turnarounds. Most visits are uneventful, but hazards can arise if safety procedures are not followed. Slippery floors, falling frozen food boxes, faulty trolleys, and mislabeled products can all turn a shopping trip into an accident or illness.
You may be able to claim compensation if you were injured or made ill by a product you bought at Farmfoods. Understanding how accidents happen in this particular type of store can help you know your rights and protect your health.
Food safety issues and allergic reactions
Farmfoods specialises in frozen food; keeping items at the right temperature is essential. Freezers that malfunction or are left open too long can cause products to thaw and refreeze, increasing the risk of food poisoning. For instance, if you leave a large bag of frozen prawns on a delivery pallet, they may warm up and then return to the freezer. Keep the packaging and get medical help right away if you eat the prawns later and get food poisoning.
Allergic reactions are another danger. Farmfoods rotates special offers and imports various branded and unbranded goods. These conditions can sometimes lead to labelling mistakes or unclear allergen information. A frozen dessert with undeclared nuts or sesame seeds can trigger a severe reaction in someone with allergies. If such an incident happens to you, you could be entitled to claim for medical costs, lost earnings and the distress caused.
Slip, trip and fall accidents
Frozen goods, ice and condensation create unique slip hazards. Spills can happen near chest freezers, delivery areas or end-of-aisle promotions. If staff do not mop up or place warning signs quickly, customers can slip and fall. These falls often result in sprains, fractures or head injuries. Busy restocking times often present tripping hazards due to the presence of cardboard boxes, shrink wrap, or dropped products underfoot.
A Farmfoods-specific risk is the use of large chest freezers that customers lean over. Water can collect around the bases, especially during defrosting or cleaning, creating invisible puddles. If you fall because of this, it should be recorded in the accident book immediately.
Manual handling injuries
Farmfoods is known for large multipacks and bulk deals. Customers sometimes try to lift heavy frozen items without assistance. If staff have stacked heavy boxes in an unsafe way or failed to offer help when needed, you may have grounds for a claim. Staff mishandling stock can also injure customers, for example, if a worker loses grip on a heavy box while filling a freezer and it strikes you.
Falling objects from shelves or displays
Farmfoods stores rely on high shelving and stacked promotional stands to display their goods. If these displays are unstable or overloaded, boxes of frozen food, bottled drinks or cleaning supplies can fall on shoppers. Even light items can cause harm if they hit the head, shoulders or back. Stores should carry out regular safety checks to ensure displays are secure. A failure to do so may leave Farmfoods liable for your injuries.
Faulty trolleys or in-store equipment
Because Farmfoods aisles are often narrower than those of larger supermarkets, trolleys and baskets get a lot of use. A trolley with a jammed wheel can tip when full of heavy goods, leading to back strain or foot injuries. Self-service checkouts and bagging areas can also pose risks if not properly maintained. If faulty equipment harms you, record the time and promptly report the defect to the staff.
Car park accidents
Many Farmfoods stores are located on retail parks or high streets with shared car parks. As you load your shopping into your car, potholes, cracked paving, or ungritted ice can cause slips and trips. Poor signage or unclear markings may lead to collisions between vehicles or with pedestrians. Although the incident happens outside the store, Farmfoods and the site’s management still have a duty to keep the area reasonably safe.
Defective products purchased in store
Farmfoods does not just sell food. Many stores stock seasonal household items, small kitchen appliances and cleaning products. If a kettle, heater, or toy bought from Farmfoods turns out to be defective and causes burns, electric shocks, or other harm, you may be able to file a claim under product liability laws. Keep the product, packaging and proof of purchase to support your case.
Steps to take if you are injured or made ill
Acting quickly can make a big difference to your claim. You should:
- Report the incident to a member of staff and ensure it is recorded in the accident book
- Take photographs of the hazard, your injuries and the wider area
- Collect names and contact details of any witnesses
- Keep receipts, packaging or the product involved
- Seek medical attention promptly so your injuries or illness are documented
This evidence helps show what happened and how it affected you. A solicitor experienced in supermarket claims can advise on what else to collect and how to present it.
What can compensation cover?
Compensation is not just about reimbursing medical bills. Depending on your situation, it may cover:
- Pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment in life
- Time off work and loss of earnings
- Rehabilitation, physiotherapy or counselling
- Travel costs for medical appointments
- Replacement of damaged personal items such as clothing, glasses or phones
Every claim is different. The value depends on how severe the injury or illness is and how it impacts your day-to-day life.
How Marley Solicitors can help
Taking on a national retailer can feel daunting, but you do not have to do it alone. Marley Solicitors has experience guiding clients through claims against major supermarkets, including Farmfoods. We will listen carefully to your story, explain your legal options clearly; and handle the paperwork and negotiations on your behalf. We aim to secure fair compensation so you can focus on your recovery.
If you have been injured or made ill while in a Farmfoods store, in its car park, or by a product purchased from there, please contact Marley Solicitors. We can review your case without obligation, advise you on the strength of your claim and, if you decide to proceed, work tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome.