SCA finds Pick n Pay liable for store fall incident

THE Supreme Court of Appeal (SCA) has dismissed an attempt by Pick n Pay Retailers (Pty) Ltd to reopen a long-running slip-and-fall case, confirming that the supermarket chain remains liable for injuries suffered by a customer who fell on a slippery substance inside one of its stores.

- SINENHLANHLA MASILELA

The ruling supports earlier judgments holding Pick n Pay responsible for injuries sustained by Maria Williams at its N1 City Mall store in Goodwood, Cape Town.

The case dates back to November 13, 2017, when Williams, widow of late rugby star Chester Williams, was shopping with her sister when she slipped and fell in the store.

She had briefly left the checkout area to retrieve an item she had forgotten and was walking briskly—but not running—through an aisle when she lost her footing.

After the fall, Williams noticed an oily, orange-coloured substance on the sole of her shoe. She later suffered injuries to her left hip and shoulder joint, requiring medical treatment.

Pick n Pay initially assured Williams that it would cover her medical costs but later failed to do so, prompting her to institute legal proceedings in the Western Cape High Court. She claimed damages for medical expenses, loss of earnings and general damages for pain and suffering.