Slip and fall accidents are some of the most common accidents in the US today. Research by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that more than a million Americans suffer from slip and fall injury, and 17,000+ people die in the US every year as a result of these injuries. Trip, slip, and fall injuries account for 15% of all work-related injuries and make up 12-15% of all workers’ comp expenses.
If you are involved in a slip and fall accident in a grocery store – whether you are an employee, a shopper, or passersby – you likely are wondering about how to go about the process. In this article, we will tell you what happens if you slipped and fell in a store.
Follow the right procedure
- Your health always comes first. If you are hurt, you should see a doctor for care and also document your injuries. The records will play a crucial role in proving that your injuries were caused by accident.
- Your next step should be to report the accident to the owner, manager, or landlord – and get the details of the accident in writing. Ask the person in charge of a written report and get your copy before leaving.
- Be sure to document everything – including names, contact details, and addresses of witnesses, pictures of the exact location of the incident, as well as the contributing factors like a wet floor, poor lighting, etc.
- Do not issue any statement to an insurance firm. Try to maintain calmness and only answer what’s relevant when speaking to the responsible party.
Establishing whether you have a case
The first thing that comes to mind after a slip and fall accident is whether or not there’s a case. But since not all slips and falls qualify as a case, it’s essential to consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer for legal advice. The lawyer will look into all aspects surrounding the accident and recommend the best course of legal action to take. Some of the details include accident evidence, your injuries, fault, along with medical expenses associated with the accident. Keep in mind that a statute of limitations applies, so it’s good not to waste any time.
Determining fault
A slip and fall accident could be as a result of your carelessness or negligence – or someone else’s. If the latter applies, the law allows you to seek compensation for all the losses that arise from the accident. However, you will need to prove that the other party was indeed at fault. This party could be the property owner or business owner. To prove liability, one or more of these factors must come into play:
- The liable party caused a hazardous condition like having a wet floor or insufficient lighting
- He or she way aware of the hazard but ignored it, and as a result, you were hurt
- He or she was informed about the dangerous situation, but they did nothing to clear it up
If any of these factors applied to your slip and fall, you could be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, present and future medical bills, and depending on your case, pain, and suffering.
