Maison Law represents people that get hurt in big box stores like Restaurant Supply in California. Whether it’s at a Restaurant Supply or any other big box store, there’s always the chance that you could be injured because of someone else’s negligence. This gives you certain legal options, and our team can help you fully pursue them. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more.
Why Would You Need a Lawyer?
Whether you need a lawyer after getting hurt at Restaurant Supply depends on how bad it was and your injuries. If you have minor injuries from bad luck or a one-time thing, you might not need a lawyer. But if your injuries are serious or you’re worried about the store’s responsibility, you should think about working with a lawyer. Our team can help you by:
- Explaining your legal rights and choices
- Figuring out who is responsible for what happened
- Looking into what exactly caused the accident
- Helping you gather important evidence
- Keeping you updated on how your case is going, if you decide to go forward
You don’t have to hire a lawyer if you don’t want to–it’s up to you. However, if you’re hurt, the best chance you have at getting what you’re owed is looking at your claim options.
Can You File an Injury Claim After an Accident at a Restaurant Supply in California?
Every accident affects you differently. If you get hurt at Restaurant Supply or any big box store, the law treats it the same as a car accident or a slip and fall. As an injury victim, you have the right to seek financial support from Restaurant Supply and any other responsible parties for your injuries and damages.
Generally, you have two options for doing this:
- Filing an insurance claim out of court
- Filing a personal injury lawsuit
An insurance claim is generally quicker since it happens outside of court, but you also have to solely rely on the company to evaluate your claim and then offer you a settlement. It rarely covers your needs since their overall goal is to pay out as little as possible.
So, while a lawsuit takes more time and effort, it gives you a fairer chance at recovering important “damages” like:
- Medical expenses and bills – This includes costs for treatment, ER visits, ambulance services, surgeries, ongoing care, and physical therapy.
- Property damage – You can recover costs for any personal property damaged in the accident, like your phone, clothing, or other items. This covers repair or replacement costs.
- Lost wages – If your injuries prevent you from working or cause a permanent disability, you can claim lost wages and future income loss.
- Pain and suffering – This covers the physical pain and mental suffering caused by the accident.
- Emotional distress – If the accident leads to emotional issues like anxiety or PTSD, you can ask for damages for that.
- Reduced quality of life – If the accident affects your ability to enjoy life or impacts your personal relationships, you can claim damages for this as well.
There’s two extremely important things to understand about your damages: first, it’s going to be closely related to your injuries and other losses. So, the more hurt you are, the more potential damages you can get. Second, you have to file your claim within California’s statute of limitations of two years from the date of the accident to even be able to get your damages.
What Injuries Can Happen To You in a Restaurant Supply Accident?
Given that it carries a wide variety of products designed for use in a restaurant, there’s any number of potential hazards that await you at a Restaurant Supply. At the same time, though, given that the layout and general protocols in place at these stores are the same as most other big box stores. This means that when accidents happen, it leads to fairly common rash of potential injuries like:
- Fractures (broken bones)
- Sprains and strains
- Head injuries, including concussions
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Cuts, lacerations, and abrasions
- Soft tissue injuries (such as bruises and contusions)
- Burns
- Electric shocks
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Neck injuries (whiplash)
- Internal injuries (such as organ damage)
- Amputations
- Eye injuries
- Emotional distress and psychological injuries
These injuries can range in severity and may require anything from first aid to surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Therefore, the claims process is going to be essential to your recovery. But even more important is figuring out who has to pay for your damages.
Who Pays For Your Damages After a Restaurant Supply Accident?
No matter what your injuries are, the legal standard for figuring out who pays for your damages is the same: negligence. Restaurant Supply has the main responsibility for any injuries under “premises liability” laws. This means they must ensure their store and surroundings are safe by:
- Doing regular maintenance and inspections to prevent accidents, as well as checks to find and fix potential dangers.
- Quickly fixing or removing hazards like spills or broken equipment.
- Providing clear warnings if there are any hazards that can’t be immediately fixed.
If Restaurant Supply fails in these duties and you or another customer gets injured, they are generally considered legally “liable” for paying for your damages. That said, it also depends on the circumstances and can include others like:
- Property owners – If the store is part of a larger complex, the property owner or manager might share responsibility for common areas like parking lots and walkways.
- Employees – Individual employees can be held responsible if their negligence contributes to unsafe conditions.
- Other shoppers – Sometimes, other customers’ actions can create hazards, such as leaving items in walkways that can cause tripping.
- Security personnel – Security staff can be liable if their negligence leads to an unsafe environment.
- Third-party contractors – Contractors hired for maintenance or repairs could be responsible if their actions create unsafe conditions.
Again, it’s important to look at what actually happened when trying to figure out liability. Our team has the skills and the resources to help you and find all of the available avenues for your damages. But it’s important that you do a few things also.
How Can You Protect Your Claim After a Restaurant Supply Accident?
Just because you have the legal right to file an injury claim doesn’t give you an automatic ticket to damages. You have to prove your case, and this effectively means taking certain steps to make sure you have the information and evidence you need. But it’s also necessary to protect your claim. Here’s what you can do:
- Get medical care – Seek medical help right away, even if you don’t see immediate injuries. You can do this by asking an employee or manager for first aid, but you should also call an ambulance just to be safe. Hidden issues like internal injuries or concussions could be possible. Keep all medical records, bills, and receipts.
- Report the accident – Report the incident to a Restaurant Supply employee, store manager, or supervisor as soon as possible. Ask that they make an incident report detailing the accident’s time, location, and contributing factors. This official record is crucial. This also alerts them to the issue.
- Gather witness information – Collect names and contact details of any witnesses. Their statements could be valuable if you pursue legal action.
- Document the accident scene – Use your phone to take photos or videos of where the accident happened. Make sure to document any hazards or conditions that contributed to the incident, and note the date and time.
- Preserve your evidence – Keep any torn or damaged clothing and personal items from the incident. This evidence can demonstrate the severity of your injuries and the circumstances of the event.
- Document your injuries – Take photos of visible injuries and maintain detailed records of your medical treatment, including all expenses.
Following these steps will make your claim stronger and help with your recovery. The legal process will then look at your injuries and the details of the accident to decide on your damages. Our team will be there to make sure your claim remains strong throughout the process.
Legal Support for Injury Victims at Restaurant Supply Stores in California
At Maison Law, our experienced and dedicated team of lawyers understands how difficult it can be to get hurt while shopping at a Restaurant Supply store. Whether you are facing mounting medical expenses or dealing with damaged property, we are here to guide you through the legal process. Don’t wait–contact us today for a free consultation.
