Maison Law represents slip and fall accident victims at one of the many fast food restaurants in California. One of the most popular fast food places in California is In-N-Out Burger. Despite this popularity, there’s many things that can cause you to get hurt by slipping and falling. To learn more about your options in this situation, contact us today for a free consultation.
Should You Get a Lawyer?
One of the first questions you probably have after a slip and fall at an In-N-Out Burger is: should you get a lawyer? Getting into a slip and fall accident at an In-N-Out isn’t just frustrating, but also painful. Chances are, your accident could have been avoided. But whether or not you need a lawyer depends on how badly you’re hurt. If your injuries are minor, you might not need to take legal action. But if you’re seriously injured, it’s a good idea to consider getting help from our lawyers.
At Maison Law, we can handle everything for you, from explaining your rights and options to investigating what caused your accident and who’s responsible. Our team will talk to In-N-Out Burger and their insurance on your behalf, making sure they understand the full extent of your damages. Throughout the whole process, we’ll make things easier for you and your family.
Remember, In-N-Out Burger has a duty to keep everyone safe, and having our help can make a big difference in your case. But how your accident happened will affect how things go from here.
Who’s Responsible When There’s a Slip and Fall Accident at an In-N-Out Burger?
Again, the chances of being in a slip and fall accident at an In-N-Out Burger are never zero. While you can file an injury claim, what really shapes your claim is who you’re filing it against. In legal terms, this means determining “liability,” which identifies the party responsible for covering your damages.
This process isn’t always clear-cut, especially in cases like slip and fall accidents at In-N-Out Burger. Like any accident, “negligence” determines who is accountable for your damages. Negligence involves four key elements:
- Duty of care – Everyone has a duty to act carefully and avoid causing harm to others. For instance, In-N-Out Burger must make sure its property is safe for customers.
- Breach of duty – This occurs when someone fails to meet their duty to be careful. For example, if In-N-Out Burger knows about a hazard but doesn’t address it, they’re not fulfilling their duty of care.
- Causation – This refers to when someone’s actions directly result in harm. For instance, if someone slips on a wet floor at In-N-Out Burger because it wasn’t cleaned up, the restaurant’s negligence led to the injury.
- Damages – This involves compensating someone harmed by another’s actions, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. If someone is injured at In-N-Out Burger, damages might cover their medical expenses and any income they lost due to the injury.
However, In-N-Out Burger isn’t the only party that might bear responsibility. Other potentially liable parties could include:
- An In-N-Out Burger employee
- The property owner or landlord
- Maintenance or security contractors
- Product manufacturers
- Government agencies
You can also share some liability if you ignored warning signs or were somewhere you weren’t supposed to be (like the kitchen area.) This doesn’t keep you from filing a claim, but it will impact what you can recover.
What Can You Recover in a Claim After a Slip and Fall at In-N-Out Burger?
The main legal protection you have when you’re injured because of negligence is the ability to file an injury claim. This process allows you to recover “damages” from whoever is responsible. Damages is simply the legal term relating to your losses from the accident. As it specifically relates to a slip and fall at an In-N-Out Burger in California, you can either file an insurance claim out of court or file a personal injury lawsuit inside the court system to recover your damages.
Because every claim is different, what you’re able to recover is going to depend on the extent of your injuries and who all is liable. Regardless, here’s what you can recover in a typical slip and fall injury claim:
- Medical expenses and other treatment costs
- Lost wages or earning potential if you’re permanently injured
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Repair/replacement costs for any damaged clothing or property
- Loss of companionship or enjoyment of life
It’s crucial to remember that you have a specific deadline to file your claim. In California, the time limit for injury claims is currently two years. If you miss this deadline, you lose the ability to file a claim or seek damages.
What Can You Do to Bolster Your Claim?
Simply having the legal right to file an injury claim doesn’t automatically mean you’ll recover the damages that are available to you. You need to prove your claim with evidence and demonstrate the extent of your losses. The stronger your claim, the more damages you can get. However, dealing with insurance companies can be challenging as they often try to devalue claims. So, when you slip and fall at an In-N-Out Burger, here’s how you can bolster your claim:
- Get medical help right away – The first thing you should do is get immediate medical help. You can do this by asking an employee for help or first aid. If you’re more seriously hurt, call an ambulance.
- Report the accident – At the same time, tell an In-N-Out employee or manager about the accident as soon as possible. Most places will create an incident report, so ask for a copy. In-N-Out also has to take care of the issue that caused your fall.
- Document the scene – If you’re able, take photos or videos of where you fell, including any hazards and your injuries. This evidence will be crucial later.
- Get contact information – Collect the names and contact information of anyone who saw the accident. Their accounts can be helpful.
- Preserve damaged items – Keep the clothes and shoes you were wearing during the fall, as they might be needed as evidence. Don’t repair or replace anything that got broken.
- Track your healing – Show the progression of your injuries by taking photos as they heal. Keep a journal of any pain or problems, and save all your medical records and bills.
- Be careful when discussing the accident – Don’t speak to In-N-Out Burger’s lawyers or insurance representatives without consulting our lawyers first. Also, avoid posting about the accident on social media.
In-N-Out Burger restaurants sometimes have conditions that increase the risk of accidents. You can help reduce this risk by looking for warning signs and telling workers about any potential issues. While In-N-Out Burger is responsible for maintaining a safe environment and addressing hazards promptly, this doesn’t always happen. If you get hurt because of this failure, our team is here to help you file a claim for damages.
Slip and Fall Victims in California Can Trust Maison Law
A slip and fall at an In-N-Out Burger can be a painful experience. Not only can it leave you injured, but it could mean missing work and missing out on things you enjoy. At Maison Law, you don’t have to go through the experience alone. You can trust that our slip and fall accident lawyers will give you the legal guidance and support you need for a successful claim. To learn more, contact us today for a free consultation.
