Had an accident in a supermarket or shopping center in Portugal? Here's how to claim compensation

Who is responsible for your accident in a supermarket or shopping centre?

Holidays are often interrupted by accidents, such as falls in supermarkets or shopping centres, that can result in bodily harm.

These organisations have a duty to ensure the safety of their customers, for example by keeping circulation corridors free of foreign objects or placing warning signs in the event of wet floors. In addition, they are required to hold civil liability insurance that covers all accidents occurring within the commercial space.

If the injured person bears no responsibility for the accident, and another person or organisation does, this insurance can be used to compensate for the damage suffered.

What to do after an accident in a portuguese shopping centre?

The most common accidents in supermarkets and shopping centres are falls caused by slippery floors, falls on escalators, or sudden stops in lifts.

After receiving medical attention, it is important to:

• Gather evidence of the accident, such as photographs of the wet floor or the damaged supermarket shelf.

• Collect the contact details of any witnesses or people who assisted you after the accident.

• Report the accident to the shop's or mall management.

• Seek legal assistance (such as a lawyer) to determine who is responsible: the cleaning company, the entity responsible for the premises, or the shopping centre itself. You may also request access to video surveillance footage.

• Have the bodily and psychological damage assessed by a Honnus medical expert, in order to obtain a fair incapacity evaluation.

How is bodily injury assessed after a fall in a store or mall in Portugal?

In order to obtain compensation, your lawyer will need to base their claim on a formal bodily injury expert report.

Honnus begins by analysing the likelihood of success of the case and then carries out a bodily injury consultation. We subsequently produce a bodily injury report, setting out the bodily and psychological injuries, both temporary and permanent, caused by the accident, in order to calculate the compensation to which the victim is entitled.

How Emily got 4× more compensation after a fall in a portuguese supermarket

Emily was on holiday in Portugal with her family. While buying groceries in a supermarket inside a shopping centre, a shelf fell on her, causing her to fall and fracture her ankle.

She received initial treatment at a Portuguese public hospital, after which she returned to England, where she continued with physiotherapy and orthopaedic consultations.

Six months later, at the end of her treatment, Emily's ankle remained stiff and she had difficulty using stairs or standing for long periods.

The supermarket was held responsible, and Honnus carried out a video consultation with Emily after analysing her clinical documentation — which was sufficient to produce a full bodily injury assessment report.

Based on that report, her lawyer was able to close the case with a compensation amount four times higher than what she would have received without Honnus's medical expert report.

If you have been injured in a store, supermarket or shopping centre in Portugal, find out what fair compensation looks like and make sure you don't settle for less than you deserve.

Frequently asked questions about personal injuries

Can I claim compensation for a fall in a supermarket in Portugal even if I'm a tourist?

Yes. Civil liability law in Portugal applies regardless of your nationality or country of residence. As long as the accident occurred on Portuguese territory and the establishment's negligence can be established, you are entitled to file a claim and request compensation.

How long do I have to file a claim after an accident in a shopping centre in Portugal?

Under Portuguese law, the general statute of limitations for civil liability claims is three years from the date the injured party becomes aware of the damage and who is responsible. However, it is strongly advisable to act as soon as possible, while evidence is still available and witnesses can be contacted.

Do I need a medical expert report to claim compensation?

A bodily injury expert report is not legally mandatory, but in practice it is essential. It is the document that objectively quantifies your injuries, both temporary and permanent, and provides the basis for calculating a fair compensation amount. Without it, insurers and lawyers have no independent benchmark, and settlements are typically much lower.

Can Honnus carry out the assessment remotely if I have already returned to my home country?

Yes. Honnus conducts video consultations and can produce a bodily injury report based on your clinical documentation, even if you are no longer in Portugal. Emily's case above is a real example of this process.