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Grape slip gripe for Woolworths

Woolworths is being sued by a 61 year old woman who slipped on a grape while in-store, allegedly suffering physical and psychological injuries which hinder her earning capacity.

Nola Joy Hollett was in the confectionery aisle of the Woolworths supermarket in South Australia's Port Lincoln in 2009 when she allegedly slipped on a grape.

According to ABC, Hollett alleges that Woolworths and its staff were negligent.

"[Woolworths] permitted the floor to become and/or remain in an unsafe or dangerous condition … and failed to have in place an adequate system of inspections and cleaning, which would have alerted it to the presence of the grape on the floor," court documents read.

Hollett claims she injured her shoulder, neck, leg and spine as well as suffering from psychological injuries, reducing her earning capacity.

Woolworths, on the other hand, is arguing that Hollett failed to "watch out properly" and that the fall was not serious enough to cause the injuries and losses she claims to be suffering from.

This story comes just a few months after reports grapes might have to be banned from supermarkets or sold in sealed bags to prevent such slip-ups.

Couriermail reported shoppers claim more than $100m a year in personal injury payouts after slipping in supermarket aisles.

While grapes are the key culprit, loose rice grains, lettuce leaves, snow peas, beans, malfunctioning trolleys and spilt milk are also deemed as hazardous.

The Hollett case is scheduled for a settlement conference in January.

 

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