Trader Joe’s is open to the public, so there is a duty incumbent on the grocery store chain to maintain each of its stores in a reasonably safe condition so as not to cause harm to its customers. For example, every Trader Joe’s has multiple stocked aisles with thousands of items of merchandise. Therefore, spills causing slip-and falls or other conditions causing trip-and-falls are always dangers. Although many falls don’t injure customers, other falls lead to severe injuries. These might consist of the following:
- Traumatic brain or spinal cord injuries.
- Damage to the structure of the spine.
- Skull or neck fractures.
- Shoulder fractures, dislocations or cartilage tears.
- Hip, leg or foot fractures.
- Arm, wrist or hand fractures.
- Facial fractures and dental injuries.
Liability in Slip-and-Fall and Trip-and-Fall Accidents
Thousands of people will enter and exit a Los Angeles Trader Joe’s every day. On that basis, the business must periodically check for spills or obstructed customer aisles that might cause a customer to slip or trip and fall. If the substance or object has been on the floor of the premises for an unreasonable length of time without the merchant cleaning it up or repairing it, that merchant can be found to be negligent and held liable for injuries and damages in the event of a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall.
Common Causes of Slip-and-Falls and Trip-and-Falls at Trader Joe’s
When they’re inside of a Trader Joe’s, customers are invariably looking at merchandise and displays and not at the floor below them. Here are some examples of dangerous conditions on supermarket floors that customers just don’t see because they’re looking at merchandise:
- Water leakage from refrigerators and freezers.
- Cooking or other oils on the floor.
- Fruit or vegetables that has been walked on repeatedly.
- Displays that extend into aisle walkways.
- Employee cleaning supplies or trash.
- Merchandise that falls from high above.
Damages in Slip-and-Fall Cases
If it’s determined that Trader Joe’s is guilty of negligence, the claimant then becomes eligible for an award of damages. In addition, here are some typical items of damages in California personal injury cases:
- Past and future medical bills.
- Past and future lost earnings or diminished earnings loss.
- Any permanent disfigurement or disability.
- Pain and suffering.
- Out of pocket expenses.
- Other valuable damages in the event of a wrongful death.
The Burden of Proof in Slip-and-Fall and Trip-and-Fall Cases
If you suffer a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall injury at a Trader Joe’s in Los Angeles, it’s highly likely that there will be video camera footage of the event. Upon requesting footage of the event, you’re probably be told that either the camera on your aisle or the entire system was down on that day. Although you have the burden of proving your case by a preponderance of the evidence, that shouldn’t stop you though. That’s because a preponderance of the evidence only means that your facts and evidence are more likely true than not true. Fortunately, you preserved the clothing that you wore at Trader Joe’s at the time of your accident. The stains and blood on them say a thousand words in your favor.
After being seriously injured in a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall at Trader Joe’s, demand the manager’s presence at the location where you fell and show him or her what caused your fall. Additionally, try to get some pictures and contact information for any witnesses. Complete an accident report, and insist that an ambulance be called to take you to an emergency room so you can be examined. Then, contact the California slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall lawyer here at Maison Law for a free consultation and case evaluation. Also, we promise to listen to you closely and answer your questions. Then, when you retain us, we’ll begin building a solid case to pursue the maximum compensation that you deserve for your injuries and damages.
Contact a Los Angeles Smart and Final Accident Lawyer
A small, locally-owned supermarket or a national chain will likely have lawyers at the ready after any accident in their stores. You should not face off against lawyers or insurance companies without a legal representative on your side.
Let an experienced Los Angeles Slip-And-Fall Attorney handle all communication with opposing lawyers and insurance agents to make sure you don’t forfeit your chance to get what’s fair for what you’ve been put through.
Contact attorney Martin Gasparian for a free and confidential case evaluation. Mr. Gasparian works with victims to make sure they aren’t unfairly blamed for the negligence of a supermarket or any other business.
