With thousands of grocery stores located in California, there are many places for individuals to choose from as it pertains to their shopping needs. However, even as you shop for everyday essentials and food items, a trip and fall accident could strike at any time in a grocery store. Companies and employees sometimes fail to keep shoppers safe on a store property, which can lead to immense harm.
Our attorneys at Maison Law have compassionately represented victims of trip and fall accidents in California over the years. We will provide you with the personalized service and attention that your claim needs so that you can receive financial support during these challenging times. Please contact us today for more information on how we can assist you.
Common Causes of Trip and Fall Accidents in Grocery Stores
When you are walking through the aisles of a grocery store, you never expect to become involved in a life-altering accident. There are various conditions that can lead to a devastating trip and fall accident in a store. These include some of the following:
- Loose flooring tiles and carpet
- Failure to clean up debris on the floor in an aisle
- Inventory blocking aisles as employees are stocking
- Broken sidewalks and cracked surfaces in parking lots
- Items that fall off shelves onto the floor
Though some of these trip and fall accidents lead to minor embarrassment, others are catastrophic and leave victims with severe injuries and a long road to recovery.
Common Injuries in Grocery Store Trip and Falls
Trip and fall accidents at California grocery stores can range anywhere from minor to severe in nature. These injuries include some of the following:
- Joint Damage: Trip and fall accidents can be forceful and damaging. As you fall onto a hard floor, you may reach out with one or both of your arms or fall onto your knees or legs. This can quickly lead to joint damage and injuries that can linger for months to come.
- Head and Brain Injuries: A skull fracture, traumatic brain injury, or any other type of head injury can happen from a trip and fall at a grocery store. These injuries tend to be incredibly severe and impact individual’s ability to function depending on what part of the brain was affected. A victim could have a lifetime of medical intervention before them.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: When an individual lands on their back or rear in a fall, the spine can become compressed. Spinal cord injuries can be painful or even lead to paralysis in a victim.
- Broken Bones: Broken bones are more than just a long recovery period. Sometimes, they require multiple surgeries just to restore function in an individual.
Serious injuries caused by a trip and fall can be incredibly expensive. On top of the daily activities you will no longer be able to enjoy, you could miss crucial time in the workplace and financial opportunities you would have otherwise had. This is why it is important that you understand your legal options after a grocery store accident.
Steps to Take After a Trip and Fall at a Grocery Store
If you have been hurt in a grocery store trip and fall accident, you may be interested in bringing a future personal injury claim for financial support. A property owner who did not protect you from harm could be held responsible for the injuries that you suffered. To protect your rights during this difficult time, there are some steps that you should take:
- Seek Immediate Medical Attention: Receiving medical attention after a trip and fall accident is the best course of action to take for your well-being, as well as to retain your legal rights in the future if you bring a claim. Your doctor will document your injuries and you will be given a treatment plan that can help you heal from the injuries in the weeks or months to come.
- Report Incident: You should always report the accident to store management. It is crucial that you tell them all of the details of how the accident occurred and where it happened so that it can be documented.
- Document Accident: Take as many photographs of the accident scene and your injuries as possible. Speak with witnesses and gather their contact information. All of these types of documentation can help you if you bring a claim in the future.
After these steps have been taken, it can be incredibly beneficial to speak with a personal injury attorney who has handled California premises liability claims in the past. An attorney will be able to guide you through the legal process and help you to meet deadlines in your claim.
Financial Support After a Trip and Fall Accident
The financial support that you receive after a trip and fall accident in a grocery store should cover your losses. A lawyer will be able to help you achieve damages you need during this complex time, as well as negotiate with the insurance company where necessary. You may be eligible for the following types of damages after an accident:
- Medical bills and future medical expenses related to your injuries
- Loss of income and future loss of earnings due to missing time at work
- Loss of enjoyment of life caused by serious injuries
- Pain and suffering
- Therapy costs
- Wrongful death damages if a life has been taken due to an accident
If you choose to bring a premises liability claim for damages, you will have to comply with California’s statute of limitations. In California, it is two years from the time you discover your injury before you can no longer bring a claim. Speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible can benefit you greatly as you move forward with your claim.
Contact Maison Law After a Grocery Store Trip and Fall Accident
When a property owner’s negligence leads to a severe trip and fall accident, you may be left with a long road to recovery you never prepared for. The insurance company involved in your case may attempt to downplay your injuries, which can make it difficult to receive the financial support that you should be entitled to.
Luckily, our California trip and fall accident lawyers at Maison Law are here to help you get back on your feet after a serious accident in a grocery store. We believe that a negligent party should be held accountable for the harm that they have caused you in the event of an accident. We are here for you every step of the way and will provide you with the resources you need at this time. Please contact us for a no-obligation and completely confidential case review.
