Trader Joe’s is a staple grocery store in the lives of many throughout California. It remains a number one choice for organic produce and signature items that cannot be found anywhere else. Nobody ever expects to enter a Trader Joe’s for grocery items and become injured in a life-altering accident. Unfortunately, this is a reality for many individuals in California each year. Left with damages, where do you turn during these difficult times?
At Maison Law, our attorneys are here for you after your life has been upended by a grocery store accident. As you deal with your physical injuries, we believe that you should not have to deal with the bills that pile up against you on your own. Please do not hesitate to contact us for more information on how we can assist you today.
Accidents That Occur at Trader Joe’s Stores
For any scenario that you can imagine in a Trader Joe’s, an accident could occur. There are many different areas you can access in these stores, as well as aisles packed full of products. Some types of accidents that happen at Trader Joe’s stores include:
- Damaged or slippery floors due to liquid and food spills that were never cleaned up
- Defective or contaminated products that can lead to illness
- Equipment and product falls onto customers from higher shelving
- Boxes and products that block aisles, leading to trip and fall incidents
- Inadequate lighting inside and outside of the store
- Slip and falls caused by debris scattered in aisles
- Broken or missing handrails
- Dog bite injuries, even though only service animals are permitted in these stores
Proving Liability in a Trader Joe’s Accident Claim
Trader Joe’s, as with many types of grocery chains, owes a duty of care to all shoppers who are on their property. This means keeping shoppers reasonably safe from all foreseeable harm. If a hazard is already present, managers and employees are supposed to correct it as soon as possible to keep shoppers safe. To be successful in your personal injury claim, you must be able to show that the following elements were present:
- A property owner or another party owed you a duty of care to keep you from harm at Trader Joe’s
- The property owner breached this duty of harm by acting in a negligent manner
- The breach in duty caused your accident
- Your accident led to injuries and other related damages
If you can prove that a property owner or another party is liable for your accident, you may be eligible for a wide array of damages. These include lost wages, pain and suffering, medical expenses you have incurred, and more.
Steps to Take After an Accident in a Grocery Store
After an accident at a Trader Joe’s grocery store, you should stay as calm as possible and take some important steps to protect your well-being and the future of your claim. These include:
- Obtain immediate medical attention. This will protect your health, as well as prove that your injuries are serious as you move forward with a claim.
- Keep all medical records and any other important information for your claim.
- Make an incident report with a Trader Joe’s manager so that your accident has been recorded.
- Take photographs and videos of the accident scene, as well as any injuries you have suffered.
- Ask for copies of surveillance videos at the time of your accident.
- Retain contact information from anybody involved in the accident or those who have witnessed the accident.
The steps that you take after an accident are highly important, as they can influence what happens in your claim as you navigate the legal system. This is why you should always follow your doctor’s orders and act quickly to retain your rights following an accident at a grocery store.
Contact a California Grocery Store Accident Injury Lawyer
After you have been injured in an accident at a Trader Joe’s or any other type of grocery store, you should know that you have legal options available for you. You may have a variety of questions along the way, which is why it is important to understand accident laws regarding these cases in California.
At Maison Law, our California grocery store accident injury lawyers will stand by your side and protect your rights after you have been hurt in a grocery store accident. An attorney will help you file your claim, meet deadlines, and provide you with useful resources when you need them the most. We offer you a completely free and confidential review of your case. Please contact us today so that you can get started immediately.
