If you were recently harmed in an accident at a supermarket, look no further. Whether you fell on a slippery floor, hurt yourself on a faulty cart, or were injured from a falling display, you could be eligible to get compensation for your pain and suffering.
To seek compensation for your accident, you must file a personal injury claim. This begins by sending a demand letter to the supermarket’s insurance company.
Demand letters are thorough documents that include details about:
- Yourself
- The accident
- Your injuries
- The compensation you’d like to receive for your suffering
They are precisely organized to ensure every aspect of your case is included, so it’s important to format them correctly.
Speaking with a personal injury attorney is the best way to insure your demand letter is of the highest quality. However, if you would like to write your demand letter yourself, follow the example below.
Sample Demand Letter
The demand letter below includes everything you need for a personal injury claim. When writing your own letter, follow the template below.
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[Your City, State, and Zip Code]
[The Date]
[Name of the Claims Adjuster]
[His or Her Job Title]
[Address of the Insurance Company]
[City, State, and Zip Code of the Insurance Company]
Re: Your Insured, [Name of the Defendant]
Claimant: [Your Full Legal Name]
Claim Number: (only include this if a claim number has already been assigned and you have received correspondence on the matter)
Date of Loss: [Date of the Accident or Incident that Caused Your Injuries]
Dear Mr./Ms. [Name of Claims Adjuster]
As mentioned in our previous correspondence on March 29, 2015, I am submitting this letter as my formal demand for compensation following the injuries sustained at your insured, Stater Bros. Market.
Only as of last week have I officially completed my recovery from the incident. As you know, I was shopping at Stater Bros. in [insert location] when their Valentine’s Day candy display unexpectedly toppled onto me. Upon further investigation, it was discovered that the display had not been anchored properly, causing it to fall down. This shows Stater Bros.’ Market’s negligence and holds them responsible for all injuries, medical bills, and suffering sustained from the incident.
The afternoon of February 12, 2015, I had just entered the front door of my local Stater Bros. and was retrieving a basket to shop. As I was standing up at the basket rack, the Valentine’s Day candy display at the front of the store fell forward onto me, knocking me backwards. During the fall, I hit my head on the silver railing near the baskets and severely injured my arm, which took the brunt of the impact.
After speaking with the manager about the incident, I was taken by my wife to Little Rock Emergency Hospital, where I was examined by Dr. Brandon Murcia. After Dr. Murcia’s assessment, an MRI of my head, and an X-ray of my arm, I was diagnosed with a minor concussion and a broken arm. I was told to stay home for one week to allow the concussion to recede and received a 6-week cast for my arm to heal. I was also prescribed [name the medication] for pain and inflammation.
Here are attached my medical bills, which further outline the cost of my treatment.
Little Rock Emergency Hospital: $528.00
Dr. Brandon Murcia: $610.00
X-Ray: $225.00
MRI: $200.00
Setting of Arm and Cast: $340.00
Prescription Pain Medication: $118.00
TOTAL: $1,718.00
Due to the incident at Stater Bros. Market, I lost one week of salary (totaling $1,300) as well as my ability to use my arm for daily tasks. Because this negligence caused such pain, discomfort, and financial strain, I am demanding compensation in the amount of $8,000.
I hope to receive a timely response in no later than 30 days from the date of this correspondence.
[Your Signature]
[Your Name – printed]
When sending your demand letter, be sure to include any documentation that can support you claim, such as medical bills, pay stubs, or witness accounts.
In addition, demanding higher compensation than medical bills/wages account for helps with negotiations later on in the claim process.
Compensation for a Fall in a Supermarket
Compensation for a slip and fall injury in a supermarket can vary markedly. The main factors are the cost of medical treatment and the extent of time off work which would necessitate compensation for lost earnings.
The more serious the injuries, the more expensive the treatment becomes and the longer the injured person would be unable to earn a meaningful income.
This is reflected in the amount demanded in a supermarket accident claim.
Typical slip and fall injuries include the following:
- broken bones, especially limbs, hands and wrists;
- dislocated shoulders and hips;
- cuts and bruises;
- facial damage;
- damaged or lost teeth;
- head injuries including traumatic brain injury;
- spinal injuries.
The greatest compensation for a fall in a supermarket would be when injuries become long lasting or permanent.
Typically high compensation demands would be expected for traumatic brain injury and spinal injuries.
Either of these types of serious injuries could lead to semi- or full paralysis of the limbs and reduced cognitive ability.
These outcomes are likely to lead to a need for long term treatment and care together with compensation for lost earnings.
Typically expensive medical treatment includes surgery, tests, scans and x-rays. Physical therapy may be needed post surgery and more permanent injuries may mean there is a need for specialized equipment like wheelchairs, prostheses, speech synthesizers and part or full time care assistance.
Getting Additional Help from an Attorney
If you have any questions about starting your personal injury claim, or about personal injury claims in general, speaking with an attorney is the best option. Personal injury attorneys can assess your unique situation from a legal standpoint and can increase your chances of receiving the compensation you deserve.
