Whole foods might carry higher quality and higher priced groceries than a corner family store, but their common thread is a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition so as not to injure shoppers and others who are lawfully on their premises. For example, a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall suffered by a customer can result in severe permanent and debilitating injuries, or even death. Above all, if you suffered injuries in a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall at a Whole Foods in or around Los Angeles, contact our offices for a free consultation and case review with a Los Angeles slip-and-fall and trip-and-fall lawyer here at Maison Law. You can learn about all of the alternatives that are available to you.
Any whole foods in or around Los Angeles has its own dangers to customers. Here are just a few examples of them:
- Refrigerator and freezer water leaks.
- Roof leaks.
- Spilled oils like cooking or olive oil.
- Spilled soft drinks.
- Remnants of fruit or vegetables on aisle floors.
- Employee cleaning materials or trash on aisle floors.
- Merchandise or displays obstructing aisles.
- Falling merchandise.
Some Common Slip-and-Fall and Trip-and-Fall Injuries
In a slip-and-fall, the victim usually falls backward. In a trip-and-fall, he or she usually falls forward. Either type of fall is especially dangerous for senior citizens. This is due to the the chances of fractures or serious joint damage increase dramatically. Here are some common injures that occur in these types of accidents:
- Skull fractures and traumatic brain injuries.
- Neck fractures with resulting spinal cord injuries.
- Facial fractures with dental injuries.
- Shoulder damage, arm, elbow, wrist and hand fractures.
- Scapula fractures.
- Shoulder blade fractures.
- Knee and other joint injuries.
What to Do After Falling at a Whole Foods
After being injured in a fall at a Whole Foods, try to remain calm and ask an employee to get the manager. You can report the fall to him or her. Request a copy of any written report. Asking them to call paramedics isn’t at all out of line. After all, you’ve been hurt, and you need to be examined at an emergency room. Make sure that the condition that caused you to fall is shown to the manager, and if possible, get pictures of it. If there were witnesses, ask if they’ll provide their contact information. Don’t admit fault, and don’t give an insurance adjuster any type of written or recorded statement California law doesn’t require you to do that. Then, contact our offices for that free consultation and case review.
Your Burden of Proof
As you’ll be bringing a personal injury claim against Whole Foods, you have the burden of proving your case by a preponderance of the evidence. What that means is that your version of the facts and evidence in the case is more likely true than not true. It’s not nearly as high as beyond a reasonable doubt, but there are many defenses available to a supermarket in a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall case, so you’ll be needing quality and effective legal representation.
Damages
Assuming that you’re able to preponderate in your case, you’ll be eligible to be monetary compensation for your injuries and damages. Under California law, that compensation might consist of the following:
- Past and future medical bills.
- Lost earnings or diminished earning loss
- Pain and suffering
- Any permanent disfigurement or disability.
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
- Other valuable damages in the event of a wrongful death.
After you or a family member suffered injuries in a slip-and-fall or trip-and-fall at a Whole Foods anywhere in or around Los Angeles, contact us at Maison Law as soon as you possibly can for that free consultation and case review. Moreover, we’ll listen to you carefully, and answer you questions. Then, you’ll be advised on all of your legal rights. If we’re retained to represent you, we’re going to pursue the highest possible award 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 don’t get unfair blame for the negligence of a supermarket or any other business.
