Slip and Fall Accidents at a Restaurant
You don’t go to a restaurant to have an accident, but it is always a possibility. Accidents can happen in the most unlikely places and because they are usually unexpected, it is quite possible to suffer crippling injuries even when you actually intended to have a pleasant evening out.
There is always a reason why accidents happen. It might be because you were so intent on talking to someone else that you didn’t spot a hazard in your path such as an icy patch on a sidewalk or a spilled soda in a restaurant.
But not all accidents are your fault. Sometimes, a property owner is entirely to blame. Through carelessness or poor management, a hazard goes unnoticed or disregarded.
Serious injuries can prove to be expensive and if you are sure that someone was at fault, it is best to make a claim for compensation with the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.
A Slip and Fall Accident Could Happen In Any Restaurant
At first sight, a restaurant seems an unlikely place for an accident but slip and fall accidents can happen anywhere, especially if the manager of the franchise or the staff are not as careful about safety as they should be.
What Can Cause a Slip, Trip and Fall Accident at a Restaurant?
If you are not in a car or anywhere near a highway, slip, trip and fall accidents are the most common type of accidents and can happen quite easily in a busy restaurant.
Wet slippery floors are common causes of accidents and may be because a floor has been mopped and not separated off or no warning sign has been erected.
Spilled drinks or food, loose or uneven floor surfaces are also common reasons why people slip or trip over.
Sometimes, drinks are provided so hot that patrons drop them and scald themselves.
Trash and implements like cutlery, trays or buckets might be left on the floor, causing someone to trip over.
Even if you do slip, trip and fall over a hazard in a restaurant it doesn’t mean you can automatically claim compensation.
It must be proven that the hazard was left there for long enough that a staff member should have cleared it away or that the manager or staff knew about the hazard but did nothing about it.
Liability for the accident is not always easy to prove.
Claiming Compensation in a Fast Food Restaurant
Lawsuits against a negligent restaurant owner or restaurant staff are not always headline grabbing news unless someone like a celebrity is involved, but if you have been badly injured in an accident that was not your fault, it may be financially necessary to pursue legal action.
A typical fast food lawsuit was filed in Louisiana in 2013 by a man who alleged that he slipped and fell over, seriously injuring himself, after stepping on ‘an unknown object’ in a McDonald’s restaurant in Matairie.
He sued the restaurant, alleging a failure to act reasonably and prudently, failing to warn of a safety hazard and failing to maintain a clean and safe environment.
Why You Should Speak With an Attorney
Few property owners are prepared to admit liability without pressure. If you, or a family member, have suffered from injuries received after slipping over in a restaurant, then you should seek help from an experienced accident attorney as soon as you can.
Proving liability and negotiating a fair settlement that meets your needs both now and in the future if necessary can be difficult without professional legal help.
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Hardee's, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
