Most of the time, a trip to the grocery store occurs without incident. However, some potentially dangerous conditions in grocery stores can cause slip and fall accidents. From spilled milk to food debris and newly mopped floors, these hazards can all result in serious harm to a customer who slips on them. If you were injured in a slip and fall at a grocery store, it’s important to hold the negligent party accountable for the damages you suffered by filing a personal injury lawsuit. But who’s responsible?
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents at Grocery Stores
A grocery store can be held liable for a customer’s slip and fall accident if they fail to maintain a reasonably safe environment. Critically, a store has a legal duty of care to keep the premises safe by regularly inspecting for hazards, cleaning up any spills or debris promptly, repairing any dangerous conditions, and ensuring proper lighting. A store can be held liable for negligence if the owner, management, or staff knew (or if all should have known) of a hazard and failed to remedy it in a timely manner. A store can also be responsible for slip and fall injuries if it fails to warn customers about a hazardous condition, such as a wet floor, by not placing a warning sign.
Some common causes of grocery store slip and fall accidents can include the following:
- Spilled liquids
- Food debris
- Floor wax
- Wet floors
- Loose floor mats
- Precipitation
- Uneven flooring
In addition to the store incurring liability for a slip and fall accident, there may be other at-fault parties, depending on the specific facts of the case. For example, if the slip and fall happened in the parking lot due to snowy or icy conditions, a plowing company might be held liable for negligent snow or ice removal. If the building in which the grocery store was located was leased, the owner or management company may be responsible for a slip and fall caused by a defect in the property.
Compensation for a Slip and Fall at a Grocery Store
A slip and fall at a grocery store can lead to a wide range of serious injuries, including broken bones, soft tissue injuries, nerve damage, traumatic brain injury, knee injuries, hip fractures, spinal cord damage, paralysis, and permanent disability. These types of injuries often require considerable medical treatment, ongoing physical therapy, and even surgery. A victim may also incur lost wages, as they take time from work for treatment and to recover from their injuries. Additionally, the out-of-pocket costs incurred for things like medication, transportation to medical appointments, and personal care assistance can be substantial.
By filing a personal injury action for a grocery store slip and fall accident caused by negligence, a victim may be entitled to recover both their economic and non-economic damages. Compensation for the following may be awarded in a lawsuit:
- Unreimbursed medical expenses
- Costs of future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering damages
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
It’s important to seek immediate medical attention following a slip and fall at a grocery store — even if the injuries are not apparent. The symptoms of certain injuries, such as internal bleeding, spinal compression, and internal organ damage, may not manifest until days or weeks later. By going to the emergency room, a medical professional can determine whether there is any internal damage and treat the injuries accordingly.
Significantly, medical records are the foundation of any personal injury lawsuit filed for a slip and fall accident. Other evidence that can help prove liability and damages may include photographs of the dangerous condition, video footage from security cameras, maintenance or cleaning logs, witness testimony, and incident reports. While every slip and fall matter is unique and requires different evidence, a good personal injury attorney will know how to evaluate a case and gather the documentation needed to support a claim.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you were hurt in a slip and fall accident at a grocery store caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your damages in a personal injury lawsuit. An experienced personal injury attorney can best advise you regarding your legal rights and remedies — and secure the compensation you deserve. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., has represented victims of negligence for over three decades and provides diligent counsel to obtain the best possible outcome in every case. Contact us today for a consultation.