Grocery Store Slip and Fall Injury
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Is The Grocery Store Liable for My Slip and Fall Injury?

Legally Reviewed and Edited by: Terry Cochran

With all the time we spend in grocery stores, stopping off after work, or arriving early in the morning to avoid the crowds, it’s no wonder there is such a high risk of a slip and fall accident occurring while there. We rush in to pick up a few items, not knowing water has spilled on the floor or realizing that one freezer has a slow leak. Within seconds, down we go.

Older adults are at the most at risk for these slip and falls, but anyone can slip if the conditions are hazardous in some way. We trust the staff to keep the property safe for our use, so an accident often surprises us.

Common Causes for Grocery Store Slip and Fall Accidents

Slip and fall accidents can happen inside a grocery store and outside on the walkway or in the parking lot. The most common causes include:

  • Various spills which are not noticed or taken care of quickly enough by staff
  • Items that have fallen to the floor, such as those in slippery packaging or even produce
  • Defective containers which hold liquids of some sort, leaking their contents onto the floor
  • Recent mopping of the floor, with no “wet floor” caution signs set up to warn us
  • Obstructive displays and portable shelves crowding aisles and walkways, interfering with the passage
  • Melted ice or snow on the parking lot, walkway, or at the entrance

According to NFSI, The National Floor Safety Institute, slip and fall accidents are the leading cause of emergency room visits.

Is the Grocery Store Liable for Your Slip and Fall Injury?

slip and fall injury

In many instances, if not most, the grocery store owners are liable for your slip and fall injury; however, there are exceptions. In most states, slip and fall accidents fit under what’s referred to as premises liability, meaning the business and owners of the property have the responsibility to provide a safe environment for their customers. This includes making sure floors are attended to regularly to ensure there are no spills or obstructions.

If such diligent care is not provided, the store can be held liable for medical bills, pain and suffering, or even lost wages if they result from an injury sustained on the premises.

However, there are a set of factors that must be addressed before you can prove the grocery store is liable for a slip and fall. The business or property owner must have been aware of the hazard and had a reasonable time to clear that hazard. If actions were not taken to maintain a safe environment, then the store has been negligent.

Depending on the type of injury, the circumstances surrounding the location, and the premises’ care, you may be within your legal rights to hold the grocery store liable. With so much to prove in a slip and fall case, hiring a personal injury attorney experienced in slip and fall accidents is your best option. Often, proving that the conditions of the store caused your injury can be difficult. This is where witnesses and tapes from surveillance cameras can serve as evidence to support your slip and fall claim. Your lawyer can also navigate the complexities involved with insurance companies, which can cause even more delays.

cameras can serve as evidence to support your slip and fall claim. Your lawyer can also navigate the complexities involved with insurance companies, which can cause even more delays.

Businesses and property owners are aware of the duty to care and maintain a safe environment for customers. Safety protocols and policies are usually established and followed by managers and staff. However, there are times when neglect occurs, resulting in dangerous conditions that lead to the most slip and falls.

Seek Help for Your Slip and Fall Case

If you or someone you know has slipped and fell in a grocery store or other type of business and suffered an injury, it’s time to contact a personal injury attorney for legal advice and to determine if you have a case.

Our team of experienced personal injury lawyers at Cochran, Kroll & Associates, P.C., can help you sort through the facts and determine the right legal strategy to move forward. We value our commitment to the attorney-client relationship, so your information is safe with us. Give us a call today at 866-MICH-LAW to schedule a confidential, free consultation.

 

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.

Emily is a writer and legal professional with experience as a law firm paralegal and non-profit legal administrator. Prior to her legal career, Emily earned her Bachelor's Degree in International Affairs and worked with a government consulting group out of Washington, D.C. Today she splits her time between the Florida coast and the North Carolina mountains.

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