Who Is Liable for a Slip and Fall in a Gas Station?

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, including at gas stations. With frequent foot traffic, spilled fuel, wet floors, and cluttered aisles, gas stations can become hazardous if improperly maintained. But who is liable for the injuries if you or someone you know experiences a slip and fall at a gas station?

Understanding who is responsible for a gas station slip and fall is crucial in determining whether you have grounds for a premises liability claim. Speak with our premises liability attorneys at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. We’ll review your case, explain your rights, and help you seek compensation from the responsible party.

What Is Premises Liability?

Premises liability is the idea that property owners and managers are responsible if someone gets hurt on their property because of unsafe conditions. For instance, in a slip and fall at a gas station, the owner or operator may be liable for injuries if they fail to maintain a safe environment.

For example, the owner could be held responsible if you slip on a wet floor in the convenience store or trip over a poorly maintained mat near the gas pumps. However, proving liability isn’t always straightforward. It depends on multiple legal elements, including whether the gas station owner was aware of the hazardous condition and whether they took reasonable steps to prevent accidents.

Who Is Liable for a Slip and Fall at a Gas Station?

When determining who is liable for a slip and fall in a gas station, several parties could potentially be held responsible, including:

• Gas station owner. The most obvious party is the gas station owner. As the property owner, they have a duty to keep the premises safe for customers. This includes regularly inspecting the property for hazards, promptly cleaning up spills, and ensuring the gas station is well-maintained.
• Gas station employees. In some cases, gas station employees may also be liable. If an employee neglects to clean up a spill, leaves equipment out that causes a trip hazard, or fails to put up warning signs for a wet floor, they may be responsible for the accident.
• Third-party contractors. Gas stations often hire third-party contractors for cleaning, maintenance, or repairs. If a contractor’s negligence, such as improper cleaning or maintenance, leads to a slip and fall, they could be held liable.
• Product manufacturers. In rare cases, the manufacturer of a defective product, such as a faulty floor mat or a poorly designed gas pump, may be held accountable if the defect contributed to the slip and fall.

Common Causes of Gas Station Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents at gas stations can happen for various reasons. A gas station owner may be liable for your injuries if they fail to address the following dangerous circumstances:

• Wet or slippery floors. Spilled liquids, rainwater tracked in by customers, or even fuel leaks can create dangerously slick surfaces.
• Uneven pavement or flooring. Cracks, potholes, and uneven tiles can easily trip up unsuspecting customers.
• Cluttered aisles. Items left in walkways, such as boxes, hoses, or cleaning equipment, can cause customers to trip and fall.
• Poor lighting. Insufficient lighting, especially around the pumps or in parking areas, can make it difficult for customers to see potential hazards.
• Lack of warning signs. When wet floors or other hazards are not properly marked with warning signs, customers are at greater risk of slipping and falling.

Can You Sue for a Gas Station Trip or Slip and Fall?

To hold a gas station owner or other responsible party liable for your injuries in a legal claim, you must prove that their negligence caused your fall. This typically involves demonstrating the following elements:

• Duty of care. The gas station owner had a legal duty to keep the property safe for customers.
• Breach of duty. The owner or another responsible party failed to meet this duty by allowing a hazardous condition to exist.
• Causation. The hazardous condition caused your slip and fall accident.
• Damages. You suffered injuries and losses such as medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering as a result of the slip and fall,

An experienced slip and fall attorney at Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can help gather evidence to support your claim, such as surveillance footage, witness statements, and maintenance records. They can also help establish whether the gas station owner or other party knew or should have known about the hazardous condition and failed to take appropriate action.

What To Do After a Slip and Fall in a Gas Station

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall at a gas station, taking the proper steps afterward can impact your ability to pursue a personal injury claim. Here’s what you should do:

• Seek medical attention. Your health is the priority. Even if you think your injuries are minor, see a doctor to rule out any serious issues and document your injuries.
• Report the incident. Notify the gas station manager or owner of the accident. Make sure they create an incident report and ask for a copy.
• Document the scene. Take photos or videos of the area where you fell, including any hazards that contributed to the accident, such as wet floors or uneven pavement.
• Gather information. Collect the contact information of any witnesses who saw the accident happen. Their statements can help prove your case to insurers or the court.
• Keep records. Save all medical bills, receipts, and other documentation related to your injuries and treatment. These records will help support your claim for damages.
• Contact a personal injury lawyer: Consult an injury lawyer as soon as possible. Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. has decades of experience managing slip and fall cases successfully. We can guide you through the legal process, help you understand your rights, and negotiate with insurers for fair compensation.

The Role of a Personal Injury Attorney

A personal injury lawyer is vital in helping you during a slip and fall case. Your lawyer with Cochran, Kroll, & Associates, P.C. can assess the circumstances of your accident, determine who is liable, and build a strong case on your behalf. Here’s how our legal team can assist you:

• Investigating the accident. Your lawyer will conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence, identify liable parties, and establish the facts of your case. Our legal team includes Eileen Kroll, a partner attorney and registered nurse. Eileen uses her training in nursing and law to understand the full scope of your injuries and calculate a fair settlement based on your current and future expenses from the slip and fall.
• Negotiating with insurance companies. Insurance companies often attempt to minimize payouts in slip and fall cases. Our skilled attorneys have extensive experience with these tactics and can advocate effectively on your behalf. We can help you receive the full compensation you deserve by pushing back against lowball settlement offers and submitting evidence that reflects the true extent of your injuries and losses.
• Filing a lawsuit. If a fair settlement cannot be reached, we can file a personal injury lawsuit and represent you in court. Your legal representation includes partner attorney Terry Cochran, who has years of courtroom experience in Michigan slip and fall claims. He will use his insights and skills to present a strong argument to a judge and jury and win you maximum compensation.
• Pursuing compensation. Your attorney will work to secure compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages related to the accident.

Compensation for a Gas Station Slip and Fall

If you’ve been injured in a gas station slip and fall, you may be entitled to various forms of compensation. We can help you pursue a financial award for the following:

• Medical bills. Our team can help you recover costs associated with emergency care, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, and ongoing treatment necessary due to your injuries. We account for all medical expenses linked to the accident in your claim.
• Lost wages. If your injuries have impacted your ability to work, our attorneys can assist in claiming compensation for the income you’ve lost during your recovery period. We understand the financial strain an accident can cause and can help alleviate this burden.
• Pain and suffering. You may also be entitled to compensation for the physical pain and emotional distress resulting from your accident. Our legal team can quantify these losses and secure the compensation you deserve to help you recover.
• Other damages. In some instances, you may qualify for additional compensation for damages such as loss of enjoyment of life or permanent disability. Our attorneys will evaluate the full impact of your injuries to help you receive compensation for all aspects of your suffering.

Seek Compensation After a Gas Station Slip and Fall

Slip and fall accidents at gas stations can lead to serious injuries, but determining liability can be complicated. If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall at a gas station, speak with our injury lawyers at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C. for guidance and support. We’ll help you hold the responsible parties accountable and pursue the compensation you need to recover and move forward.

Our contingency fee basis means we only get paid if we win your case, so there is no financial risk to you to get started. Call our law firm today at 1-866-MICH-LAW and schedule your no-obligation, free case evaluation.

Disclaimer : The information provided is general and not for legal advice. The blogs are not intended to provide legal counsel and no attorney-client relationship is created nor intended.