If Someone Gets Hurt at Your Stall – Are You Prepared?

When Someone Gets Hurt at Your Stall – What You Need to Know

You’ve probably seen it happen. Someone trips over a loose cable. A customer spills hot food on themselves. A child grabs a sharp skewer. No one ever expects an accident, but when you’re trading at a busy summer event, they can happen in seconds.

And here’s the tricky bit: even when you’re not at fault, that doesn’t stop someone from making a complaint. Or trying to blame you. That’s why every trader should think ahead about what would happen if someone got hurt at their stall.

First things first: don’t panic

Accidents are stressful. But keeping calm and knowing what to do can make a big difference. Here’s what we recommend:

• Make a written note of what happened in your accident book – even if it seems minor
• Take photos of the area, especially if someone’s claiming it was unsafe
• Speak to witnesses (staff or nearby traders) and write down what they saw
• Check your insurance as soon as possible

You want a clear record in case someone follows up later with a complaint or a claim.

Are you legally responsible?

It depends. If you’ve done your risk assessments, kept your area tidy, and followed health and safety guidance, then chances are you’ve done everything right. But that won’t stop someone from trying to say otherwise, especially if they’ve been injured, embarrassed, or are looking for someone to blame.

This is where clear signage, disclaimers, and documented risk assessments come in handy. They won’t guarantee protection, but they do show you took reasonable steps to protect the public.

What kind of risks should you plan for?

Some of the most common accident triggers at food stalls include:

• Hot surfaces or steam
• Loose cables or pegs sticking out from your set-up
• Slippery ground from spills or water
• Sharp items or food packaging (yes, even wooden forks!)
• Confused queues causing bumps or falls

It’s worth walking through your set-up with fresh eyes at each event and asking: Would a member of the public know this is a risk?

Practical steps to protect yourself

• Display clear signs for hot food, allergens, uneven ground, etc.
• Rope off any trip hazards and keep your area tidy throughout the day
• Have basic first aid and an accident book available even for minor incidents
• Record everything if someone reports an accident, no matter how small

Quick legal check for peace of mind

We’re offering NCASS members a free 30-minute legal review to help you get summer-ready. Whether it’s your disclaimers, terms of service, or general stall safety practices, we’ll help you spot the gaps and patch them before they become a problem.

Drop us a line to book your call. Because when you’re busy cooking, you shouldn’t have to worry about claims too!

Other support available:

• One-off pay-as-you-go legal advice from £495
• Contract and document reviews from just £20
• Debt recovery help from £50

Get in touch to book your call!

📨 [email protected]

☎ 0118 321 4188