Slip and fall accidents, usually on wet or sticky floors, are may be common in fast food restaurants like McDonald’s. The management is supposed to make sure that mess on the floor is promptly cleaned up or if the floor has been washed or cleaned that cleaners put a sign up to warn patrons of any potential danger.
A victim of an accident could claim compensation if proof that the restaurant management or employees were at fault can be obtained. Proof that McDonald’s, or any other fast food restaurant, was at fault can be shown if proof of negligence on their part is provided to the restaurant’s insurer.
How to Show That Fast Food Restaurant Negligence Caused a Slip and Fall
To show that negligence caused your slip and fall injury, i.e. that McDonald’s, or any other fast food restaurant, was at fault, you must show that:
- Some kind of hazard such as a slippery, messy floor caused you to slip over and fall;
- The staff knew about the mess on the floor, or whatever the hazard was;
- They had known about it for some time, i.e. they had enough time to arrange someone to clear the mess up;
- They had failed to prevent the mess from occurring, or failed to warn customers about it or failed to clean it up.
Evidence to Show a Slip and Fall was a Fast Food Restaurant’s Fault
Photographic evidence is the best way of showing what actually caused your slip and fall accident. You could use your own cell phone or other mobile device to take photos of the surroundings and whatever you slipped over on. Photos could show that there had been no attempt at preventing people from using that floor space or erecting a warning about the hazard.
Many fast food restaurants have security cameras pointed at the restaurant seating area to prevent disturbances or thefts. If you are lucky, a security camera may have recorded the actual accident you had. More importantly it may provide clues about when the hazard first appeared, e.g. when someone spilled coffee, ice cream or sodas on the floor and that no-one from the staff had bothered to clean it up.
Like any fast food restaurant, eyewitnesses should be easy to find in a McDonald’s. Preferably you want someone who may have spotted when the hazard first appeared and who also saw how your accident happened.
Get Help Proving Fault
McDonald’s, or any other fast food restaurant’s insurers are responsible for examining all claims against the company and may challenge the evidence or your version of what happened. It is advisable to use a personal injury lawyer to help you prepare and submit a convincing claim. Get a Free Case Evaluation to get in touch with a PI lawyer who can help prove McDonald’s, or any other fast food restaurant was at fault for your slip and fall.
*Disclaimer: The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against McDonald’s, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
