A trip to Harris Teeter or any other grocery store isn’t an experience you may think will result in injury. However, accidents like slip and falls can happen in almost any environment.
You may be eligible for financial compensation if you’ve been injured in a slip and fall at Harris Teeter or another grocery store. The following overview explains how you may pursue what you’re owed and why hiring a slip and fall attorney is a good plan.
Understanding Premises Liability
Premises liability laws may be somewhat different from one state to another. Generally, though, the legal principle of premises liability holds property owners and managers responsible for keeping guests and employees safe from known or preventable hazards.
A supermarket slip and fall could occur because an owner didn't address a hazard in a timely manner. A victim could thus file a premises liability claim or lawsuit seeking financial compensation.
Safety Hazards in a Grocery Store
A Harris Teeter market or any other grocery store might not seem like a dangerous setting. However, hazards can potentially result in accidents virtually anywhere.
Safety hazards that might cause a slip and fall in a supermarket include:
- Wet floors that have not been cleaned or don’t have signs indicating they’re wet
- Broken or loose flooring
- Improperly positioned floor mats
- Obstructions and items that have fallen to the floor and haven’t been removed in a timely manner
You don’t have to physically be inside a shop to potentially be harmed in a slip and fall at a grocery store. For example, maybe you can’t see obstructions in the parking lot of a Harris Teeter or any other grocery store because the owner didn’t install proper lighting. During the day, this might not be an issue, but at night it can create hazardous conditions that may result in accidents.
The Responsibility of a Grocery Store
Again, premises liability laws aren’t exactly the same in each state. That means the legal requirements on Harris Teeter supermarkets’ individual owners (and the owners of any other grocery stores) may not be precisely consistent.
That said, premises liability laws typically require property owners to take “reasonable steps” to prevent accidents. At the Harris Teeter Store or another grocery store, that might involve:
- Practicing basic maintenance
- Regularly checking the property for signs of hazards that need to be addressed
- Placing warning signs when hazards cannot be removed
- Responding to new hazards in a timely manner (i.e. shoveling and applying deicing chemicals to parking lots and walkways after storms)
- Using proper surveillance equipment to monitor the premises
Training employees properly is another responsibility of the people who own Harris Teeter and other grocery stores. If you slipped and fell in a grocery store because an employee was careless, usually ownership will be vicariously liable.
Navigating the Aftermath of a Slip and Fall at A Grocery Store
Prioritizing your health is what’s most important in the immediate aftermath of a slip and fall. According to the CDC, about 20 percent of falling accidents in the country result in serious injuries.
Additionally, a slip and fall can get your adrenaline pumping. This may prevent you from realizing you’ve sustained injuries. Therefore, you must see a doctor the day of your accident, even if you don’t think you’re hurt. Seeing a doctor immediately could also boost your chances of receiving financial compensation later.
Other steps to take after an accident to improve your odds of receiving compensation include:
- Reporting the accident to a manager
- Completing an incident report
- Taking pictures of the accident scene
- Taking pictures of any visual signs of your injuries
- Getting the names and contact information of witnesses
The process of seeking compensation involves filing an insurance claim. Strongly consider speaking with personal injury attorneys before doing so. They can provide representation you may need when facing off against an insurance company.
The Four Elements of Negligence
You can seek compensation for a fall in a supermarket by filing a claim with the owner’s insurance. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, you can sue for a grocery store injury to seek damages in court.
You must prove your injury resulted from unreasonable negligence when filing a slip and fall claim. The four elements of negligence in these specific circumstances are:
- The owners of Harris Teeter (or another grocery store) had a legal duty to keep you safe;
- A breach of duty occurred (through improper maintenance or other such negligence);
- The breach caused your slip and fall; and,
- Your slip and fall caused injuries and/or other damages for which you may receive compensation.
Gathering evidence of negligence could require investigating the accident. A personal injury attorney can investigate the incident on your behalf if necessary.
Slip and Fall Damages
Compensation in grocery store slip and fall cases usually consists of economic damages. This is compensation for financial losses you incurred due to your accident. Common examples include medical bills and lost wages.
You may also be able to seek compensation for certain non-economic damages like pain and suffering. An injury attorney can review your case and explain if this is an option.
Common Premises Liability Mistakes
Mistakes victims sometimes make after slip and fall accidents in grocery stores include:
- Downplaying their injuries: Remember, you might be injured without knowing it after a slip and fall. If managers, store employees, or anyone else ask you how you’re feeling after your accident, don’t say “I’m fine” or anything else of that nature. Wait to see a doctor first to learn if you’ve been injured.
- Admitting fault: Never say anything indicating you may be partially responsible for your accident or injuries. Even saying you were on your phone could indicate your accident occurred because you weren’t paying attention to your surroundings.
- Leaving the scene: Once more, your health is what’s most important after an accident. If you need to leave the scene to seek medical care right away after your accident, do so. However, it’s better to remain on the scene long enough to take pictures and identify witnesses.
The owners and employees of a grocery store may be looking for ways to protect the company by sabotaging your claim. If you leave the scene of the accident or say the wrong thing, doing so may be easier for them.
Punitive Damages
Grocery store slip and fall settlements are usually negotiated out of court. Still, your case may go to trial if the insurance company won’t offer what you deserve.
Sometimes, juries award punitive damages to trial plaintiffs. Punitive damages serve to punish defendants for gross negligence. Although punitive damages aren’t common in slip and fall cases, juries do award them in unique circumstances.
How A Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help & Why You Should Hire One
Hiring a personal injury lawyer after a slip and fall at a grocery store is smart for several reasons. A lawyer could help by:
- Gathering evidence of negligence
- Submitting a claim with documentation of your compensable losses
- Negotiating with an insurance company
Be aware that large grocery stores often employ their own legal teams and tend to have robust insurance. Hiring an attorney for personal injury is a way to even the playing field when you seek compensation.
How We Can Help
No worries if you don’t know how to hire a personal injury lawyer. Our platform can easily connect you with slip and fall lawyers near you handling cases like yours. We ensure we work with personal injury lawyers who are committed to securing fair settlements for their clients.
Get Legal Help for a Slip and Fall at Harris Teeter
You may be eligible for compensation if you’ve been injured in a slip and fall at Harris Teeter or another major grocery store. However, the process of securing it may be complex if you lack experience in this area.
A lawyer could help by providing the representation you deserve. To get started, take the Free Case Evaluation and to get connected with an independent attorney who may be able to help with your case.
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves to provide information only. It is not to be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Harris Teeter, or any other grocery store, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
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