If you hurt your knee after slipping and falling in a burger restaurant, you might be able to pursue a personal injury claim. When you visit a business, they have a responsibility to keep their location clean and safe from dangers. You should expect to go onto the grounds and conduct business without slipping and falling because of the store’s negligence.
Slip and falls are often because employees fail to clean up messes and don’t warn customers of pending risks by placing wet floor signs. If you can prove negligence, then you can have a successful personal injury claim to recover damages.
Four Elements of Negligence
To prove negligence, the four elements of negligence must be met. The four elements are duty, breach, causation and then damages. In this situation, the restaurant has a duty to keep a safe location for its customers. That means spills must be cleaned up. A wet floor warning sign must be placed to notify guests of impending dangers.
When the crew did not clean up the spill, then they breached their duty to you. That breach of duty must then cause something, which in this case, was your slip and fall. The slip and fall then led to your damages, which was an injured knee. All four elements of negligence have been met, so you have a strong personal injury claim.
Maintaining Evidence
You will need to maintain evidence and documentation for your claim against the store, such as a copy of the accident report, medical bills, medical records, proof of missed work and lost wages, photos of visible injuries, and statements from any eyewitnesses. Here are some records you must keep:
- Medical bills
- Medical records
- Documentation of lost wages
- Eyewitness statements
- Photos of the accident scene and your injuries
- Accident report
- Statements from eyewitnesses
You must be able to prove which damages you suffered because of the fall and how those damages have affected your daily life. Here are a few of the damages that you might suffer from a slip and fall accident:
- Medical expenses – both past and future
- Lost wages – both past and future
- Pain and suffering
- Mental trauma
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Long-term or permanent disabilities
When you enlist the help of a personal injury lawyer, he or she will investigate your case and determine the best way to proceed with the claim. Your lawyer will gather evidence and documentation that will support your claim and help you get on the right track to recover compensation for your damages.
Consult With a Personal Injury Attorney
If you hurt your knee after slipping and falling, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. Accident injury lawyers work on a contingency basis, so you have nothing to lose. Complete the Free Case Evaluation Form on this page to have your details shared with a lawyer who will determine the best way for you to get your claim on track. A statute of limitations applies, so don’t delay!
*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.
