Meet the Other Phone. Only the apps you allow.

Meet the Other Phone.
Only the apps you allow.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Money matters

Find financial and money-saving discussions including debt and pension chat on our Money forum. If you're looking for ways to make your money to go further, sign up to our Moneysaver emails here.

Compensation claim

12 replies

MomOfAngels · 19/10/2022 01:52

Hi,

Just looking for some advice on this. A few weeks ago, we were out shopping in a large well known chain of supermarket. When we got to the checkout, my DS was in the firing line when a cup of coffee from one of the staff members toppled over and covered him from the waist down, ruining his clothes and causing his stomach and legs to go red. I'll just point out, the coffee wasn't scolding but was hot and my DS did complain of being hot, but no burns. The coffee pot had no lid and was just placed behind a large sign which was balanced and fell over. The staff replaced his clothes (albeit expensive clothes with much cheaper alternatives) and logged this in the accident book. However, upon leaving the store, my DS (6years) broke down in the car and was inconsolable. He's since been having nightmares and started wetting the bed. Am I right in thinking I can put in a claim against said supermarket for emotional distress on DS behalf? I'm not normally the type to persue this but just seeing how this affected him has got me questioning. Also, my DD (3months) was just out of the firing line too, so this could have been a while other story had the coffee been scolding hot. A family shopping trip could have turned into an A&E trip.....

OP posts:
NoodleNuts · 19/10/2022 12:42

A family shopping trip could have turned into an A&E trip..... You can't claim for what might have been. And how would you quantify the emotional distress that you say your son is suffering from, how much money would satisfy you?
Maybe you could get him some therapy sessions and ask them to pay the cost of that?

Stickmansmum · 19/10/2022 12:45

I think you should focus on your 6 yr old and not indulging such drama from him. This is an opportunity to help your DS cope better with the many random things that happen. Nothing bad happened here beyond him getting wet and needing fresh clothes. Stop feeding it! You’re doing him no favours.

Stickmansmum · 19/10/2022 12:48

And how did you react at the time? Shocked and all serious like you might need to make a claim? Did you act all outraged and horrified to the staff?? If so it’s you who frightened him. I can almost guarantee it’s your reaction he’s picking up on rather than any real distress and emotional damage from a non-burning spillage on his clothes.

PeekabooAtTheZoo · 19/10/2022 12:48

What supermarket allows staff to have food and drink on the shop floor at the checkout?

rainbowandglitter · 19/10/2022 12:53

Stickmansmum · 19/10/2022 12:45

I think you should focus on your 6 yr old and not indulging such drama from him. This is an opportunity to help your DS cope better with the many random things that happen. Nothing bad happened here beyond him getting wet and needing fresh clothes. Stop feeding it! You’re doing him no favours.

I was going to say this.

fuckingworms · 19/10/2022 12:56

This definitely comes across as a money grabbing opportunity, rather than sincere concern for your son.

123ROLO · 19/10/2022 13:04

If you wrote to the supermarket they may give some compensation for damaged clothes perhaps

No solicitor will take on a case of psychological damage due to having some warm liquid accidently spilled on them. If this is something that causes prolonged distress for a child, then there are deeper issues to contend with.

Is it annoying and mildly inconviencing? yes. Traumatic? No.

DownToTheSeaAgain · 19/10/2022 13:04

How will money benefit your son?

Vapeyvapevape · 19/10/2022 13:08

I wouldn't bother with a claim- I was seriously injured in an rta, lost my career and now can't function as well as I used to - it's taken 6 years to reach a settlement.

I think the supermarket has done what they could to rectify the damage, your sons reaction does seem quite extreme though.

MadeForThis · 19/10/2022 13:08

You could ask for compensation for the damaged clothes.

LIZS · 19/10/2022 13:15

MadeForThis · 19/10/2022 13:08

You could ask for compensation for the damaged clothes.

They gave replacements and presumably originals were washable.

Hoppinggreen · 19/10/2022 14:52

Grabby
If your NT 6 year old is traumatised by having a drink poured on him with no lasting effects you might want to look a bit deeper into why that might be

New posts on this thread. Refresh page