Slip and fall accidents in grocery stores are more common than you might think. About 12% of these accidents result in hospital visits. If you have slipped in a supermarket and hurt yourself, you may want to consider a few legal options.
Shopping Injuries Can Happen
It may seem like slipping and falling in a grocery store is rare, but it does happen a lot. These types of incidents make up a large portion of shopping-related injuries. Unfortunately, they can result in thousands of personal injury claims each year.
You don’t need to fall inside a grocery store to take legal action. Supermarkets are responsible for maintaining safe conditions within their premises; along with that, they need to keep its surrounding areas safe as well.
If you slip and fall in the grocery store parking lot due to cracked pavement, poor lighting, or icy patches, you can still pursue legal action against the property owner. The store is obligated to maintain a secure environment beyond the store entrance.
Customers and Non-Customers Have Rights
Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, often due to spills or wet floors. Many people assume they can hold a business accountable for their injuries only if they are a paying customer. However, that is not true. Negligence is a determining factor in these claims. If the store failed to maintain safe conditions — inside or outside — they could be liable in your case.
You have a reasonable expectation of safety while visiting a supermarket. As a result, the store has to prevent accidents by cleaning up spills or warning customers of wet floors. If the store fails to meet this duty and you get injured, you may have the right to sue for damages.
Whether you are in the store to shop, pick up a prescription or browse the aisles, you don’t expect to be involved in an accident. When injuries occur due to the market’s negligence, you may be able to seek compensation for medical bills, lost wages and pain and suffering.
Can I Sue For Slip and Fall Injuries?
You might think that a small slip and fall injury will not require legal action, especially if you didn’t need to go to the hospital. However, even minor injuries can have long-term consequences.
If you have been experiencing ongoing pain or are making frequent trips to the doctor due to your fall, you may be eligible for compensation through a lawsuit. The aftermath of a fall can be costly. Since the store failed to protect your safety, these expenses could potentially be reimbursed when you file a legal claim.
Do I Have a Case?
If you have been injured in a grocery store, immediately ask for medical attention. With that, you have documentation of the incident. Evidence becomes important in these cases. Photos, eyewitness accounts and making a report with management can show that you were injured in the store.
Whether you have a case or not, you may want to schedule an appointment with a lawyer anyway. During the consultation, an Allentown personal injury attorney will hear your account of the incident. With that information, they can determine if your case has merit.
If the store was negligent in its actions, you may be able to pursue legal action. Sometimes, your attorney may have to come to a settlement with the supermarket’s insurance company. However, some have ended up in court; many times, this process can be long. You should not take this situation lightly. Your attorney will be there to make sure that you have all the information to take those next steps.
Reach Out To an Allentown Personal Injury Attorney
If you have experienced a slip and fall in a supermarket, you may have a legal compensation claim. The Allentown personal injury lawyers at Metzger & Kleiner are ready to assist with your case. We will listen to the details of your accident. After that, we will provide you with the information you need to make an informed decision. To learn more about how we might be able to assist you, call us at 610-435-7400 or fill out our online contact form.
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