How to Prove Starbucks Negligence Caused a Slip and Fall*

Cafes and coffee shops are popular places to buy a coffee and have a snack and a chat with a friend. They are sometimes very busy and at these times staff may not be aware that there is something messy or slippery on the floor. These are hazardous situations which should be dealt with as soon as possible if accidents are to be prevented. If you have had a fall in a coffee shop and think that the company is to blame, then talk to a personal injury attorney about your legal options.

Typical Slip and Fall Accidents in a Coffee Shop

Slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, even in your own home. Of course, if they don’t happen on anybody else’s own property, you can’t blame anyone else except yourself, but an accident in a coffee shop is different. Cafe and store managers are expected to keep their premises clean and safe. Anything that falls on to the floor should be swept up or cleaned off as quickly as possible to prevent accidents. Most slip and fall accidents in places like coffee shops are almost always preventable if employees keep their floor surfaces tidy, clean and dry.

Proving Negligence After a Slip and Fall Injury

You won’t be able to claim compensation after a slip and fall accident unless you were injured and can prove that the injury wouldn’t have happened without the cafe being responsible. Usually, this means proving that the employees in the coffee shop knew about the mess on the floor or whatever it was but didn’t do anything about it or were too slow to respond to the hazard. The best way of proving this is to get corroborating statements from anyone else in the coffee shop who was present at the time you were injured who is prepared to make a statement.

What to Include in a Claim for Compensation

The main elements of a personal injury claim after a slip and fall injury are:

  • proof that negligence caused the injury (as above)
  • a doctor’s report showing that the injury could have happened in the coffee shop
  • any other medical documents showing what treatment you received
  • bills and invoices detailing exactly what the accident has cost you and what it might still cost you if your injuries are on-going
  • evidence of lost earnings
  • a justification for non economic damages, e.g. compensation for “pain and suffering.”

How a PI Attorney Can Help You With a Claim

It can be difficult dealing with a large corporation, because they tend to have good lawyers and an insurance provider that will be very careful of responding to any claim against its corporate client. It is best to enlist the legal help of an experienced personal injury attorney before filing a claim to make sure you have a good chance of claiming compensation.

Additional Resources

*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 Starbucks, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.