Supermarkets are very commonly involved in slip-and-fall lawsuits. This is because slip-and-fall accidents in supermarkets injure thousands of people every year. When supermarkets are poorly maintained, they can be dangerous for customers. With thousands of people walking in and out every day and with products such as water, soda and laundry detergent lining the aisles, there is a lot of potential for liquid spills that pose slip-and-fall hazards to shoppers.
A Legal Obligation
Supermarkets have a legal obligation or a duty of care to keep their premises safe from foreseeable harm. For example, if an employee fails to clear up liquid spills in aisles or when they fail to mark hazardous areas with caution tape or cones, then, that may be termed as foreseeable harm. When supermarkets fail to protect their customers from such foreseeable harm or harm that may have been easily prevented, they have breached their duty of care to the customer. In such cases the supermarket can be held liable for the victim’s injuries, damages and losses.
When a customer suffers injury as the result of a slip-and-fall accident caused by the supermarket’s negligence, the store can be held liable for damages including, but not limited to, the victim’s medical bills, lost wages, hospitalization, cost of continuing treatment and care and pain and suffering.
What to Do If You Have Been Injured
It is important for victims to remember that the burden of proof in a civil personal injury lawsuit is on the plaintiff. It is up to the customer, who slipped and fell, to prove negligence. This is why it is necessary for you as the victim to take a number of important steps after such an incident and protect your rights.
- Contact the store manager immediately after your fall. Make sure that the manager documents the incident including the time, date and the manner in which it occurred. Obtain a copy of the incident report.
- Get medical attention right away. If you believe you are seriously injured call 911 or ask someone else to call. Look for independent eyewitnesses who may have seen exactly how you fell and what caused the fall.
Use your cell phone to take photos and video of the scene. Have the date and time stamp function engaged when you do this. Most supermarkets have surveillance cameras. Ask the manager to see that part of the video that shows your fall.- Ask the manager for information about the supermarket’s insurance company. If it is a large supermarket, find out information about its corporate headquarters. If it’s a smaller grocery store, get the owner’s contact information.
- Document all the expenses you have incurred and keep the invoices and receipts.
It is also crucial that you contact an experienced personal injury lawyer who will fight for your rights and ensure that the negligent party is held liable. Supermarket slip-and-fall accidents may result in serious injuries from lacerations and sprains to hip, head neck, back and other injuries that have the potential to seriously injure and disable an individual. An experienced slip-and-fall lawyer who has successfully handled cases against supermarkets can help you secure fair and full compensation for all your injuries, damages and losses.
Paul d’Oliveira
Attorney Paul d’Oliveira has been practicing personal injury and disability law for over 30 years. He started his personal injury law practice in 1989 with two offices in Fall River, MA and East Providence, RI. Today his firm has 16 offices in RI and Southeastern, MA.
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