Maison Law protects Ralph’s slip-and-fall accident victims in San Luis Obispo. If you or a loved one have been the victim of a slip-and-fall accident at Ralph’s, our personal injury attorneys at Maison Law can help you get the compensation you need. Contact us today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Ralph’s Slip-and-Fall Accident in San Luis Obispo?
If you’ve been injured due to a person’s carelessness or a hazardous environment within a Ralph’s grocery store, it is advisable to seek the counsel of an experienced accident attorney. If you’ve sustained serious injuries that have caused you to miss work, or prevent you from reasonably completing daily tasks, an attorney can:
- Connect you to trusted doctors for continued treatment
- File a lawsuit to get compensation for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Assign liability to all additional parties responsible
- Communicate with insurance adjusters on your behalf
- Build your case by gathering concrete evidence to confirm your claim
- Represent you in court if your case goes to trial
With 183 stores across California, and endless foot traffic going in and out daily, it is not always possible for Ralph’s to stop hazardous conditions from forming.
When a personal injury occurs on Ralph’s property it is referred to as a premise liability. Premise liability requires property owners to keep their areas safe for everyone working on or visiting their property. A failure to do so results in a premise liability as covered in California’s Civil Code 1714(a), which states:
“Everyone is responsible, not only for the result of his or her willful acts, but also for an injury occasioned to another by his or her want of ordinary care or skill in the management of his or her property or person, except so far as the latter has, willfully or by want of ordinary care, brought the injury upon himself or herself.”
What Should I Do If I Get Injured at Ralph’s in San Luis Obispo?
Let’s say you’re shopping at the Ralph’s in Madonna Plaza and you trip over a wooden pallet left in the middle of the aisle, and hit your head on the floor. What should you do? First and foremost, seek medical attention. Nothing is more important than your health. Next, take the following steps to protect your right to compensation and build a strong case for your claim:
- Report the injury to management: Injuries at Ralph’s are not uncommon and they require a prompt investigation. They will take your written statement, photograph your injuries, and review the video surveillance evidence.
- Take your own photos and get witness’s information: Ralphs will typically remove a hazardous condition very quickly, so it is important for you to capture the dangerous environment while it is still there. This will strengthen your case and make it difficult for them to deny your claim.
- Follow up on your injuries with a doctor: Some injuries take time to manifest and won’t show up until days or weeks later. Anything you’ve sustained from your slip-and-fall accident will become a part of your case and you will need a doctor to corroborate your injuries.
Here are things you should NOT do if you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident at Ralph’s:
- Do not admit fault and do not sign any statements: You are not required to sign anything. Being involved in an accident can put you into an altered state and you may not be thinking straight. So, it is advised to decline signing anything until you’ve spoken with an attorney.
- Do not provide Ralph’s attorneys or its claims adjusters with a recorded statement: Ralph’s claims adjusters are experts at tricking victims into taking the blame for their injuries or dissolving Ralph’s of any responsibility for the hazardous environment they created.
- Do not accept any early settlement offers: Take the time to decide if you would like to pursue a claim or not. A major corporation like Ralph’s will be looking to settle quickly and for the lowest amount possible. However, it is not recommended to rush into a settlement, especially if you’re unsure of how significant your injuries are.
What is the Litigation Process for a Ralph’s Slip-and-Fall Accident in San Luis Obispo
The litigation process against a major corporation like Ralph’s can be complicated and time-consuming. Oftentimes, insurance companies will put off settlement offers, and delay the court date in hopes a slip-and-fall accident victim will be ready to settle for any offer, no matter how inadequate it may be. If your case does make it all the way to trial, you can expect to go through the following processes until your case is decided by a judge or jury:
- Filing a lawsuit: Your attorney will file a legal complaint in court. This complaint outlines the facts of the case, the basis of the claim, and the damages you seek. A form of the complaint must also be delivered to the defendant.
- Discovery phase: Both parties will exchange information through discovery, which includes:
- Depositions
- Interrogatories
- Speaking with expert witnesses
- Pre-trial motions and settlement discussions: Attorneys may file pre-trial motions to resolve certain disagreements before the trial. Mediation or arbitration may occur to provide an alternative resolution without taking up the court’s time.
- Trial: If the case goes to trial, both sides will present their evidence to a judge or jury. This process includes:
- Opening statements
- Witness testimony
- Cross-examination
- Closing arguments
- Verdict: After both sides have presented their arguments and evidence, a verdict will be reached by the judge or jury. If the court rules in your favor, the judgment will specify the amount of compensation you are set to receive.
- Appeals: The losing party may file a post-trial motion for an appeal to the ruling. If enough legal errors are found in the original case, then a higher court can appeal the ruling.
What is the Typical Compensation for a Slip-and-Fall Accident at Ralph’s in San Luis Obispo?
There is no average compensation when it comes to slip-and-fall accidents. The value of each case is dependent on the severity of your injuries and how much they’ve altered your life. For example, let’s say you broke your tailbone in a slip-and-fall accident and were out of work for 3 to 4 months. Your compensation would reflect the cost of medical treatment received, lost wages, and non-economic damages such as anxiety, depression, and loss of enjoyment of life.
Contact a Ralph’s Slip-And-Fall Lawyer in San Luis Obispo
If you or a loved one has been injured due to the carelessness of a person or a hazardous condition at Ralph’s in San Luis Obispo, the attorneys at Maison Law can get you the compensation you need. No upfront money is required and we don’t get paid unless we win your case. Contact Maison Law today for a free consultation and case evaluation.
