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08/02/2004 BACKARCHIVE: Generic - Barristers in robes and wigs at Southport Magistrates Court .

GOT a legal issue? Our experts from Brydens Lawyers are here from 1pm to answer your questions.

Meg asks: Five months ago I slipped on a bean in a supermarket and crashed to the floor, injuring my knee and elbow. I was in agony. Another customer helped me up and got a staff member, who shrugged. Later, people told me an incident report should have been filled out. I rang the supermarket and was accused of making up the story. To this day I have a weaker knee and can feel a divot in my elbow. Is there anything I can do?

Brydens says: The operator of the supermarket owes you a common law duty of care to take reasonable precautions for your safety. It is not an absolute obligation. That is, the operator is not liable for any injuries on its premises. It is only liable for injuries which it has caused or contributed to by neglect and breach of duty of negligence on its part. Negligence can be proven, for example, by showing that there was no proper system of cleaning in place at the time of the accident. We would be happy to speak with you.