Slip and Fall Accidents at a Restaurant
It is hard to foresee everything that could happen to you when you venture outside of your home. Some accidents can happen when you least anticipate them and you could be left burdened with the effects.
If you slip over and break your arm or leg in a restaurant or in the parking lot outside, was it your fault or someone else’s? The question is really important because it determines whether you could obtain compensation for the injuries if they are serious.
If you just didn’t look where you were going, it is likely that you will have to rely on personal accident insurance if you have any.
But if someone else was to blame, you may be able to claim compensation for any medical costs or loss of income by using premises liability law which makes property owners responsible for the safety of anyone legally using their property.
What Could go Wrong During A Meal Out?
Most restaurant accidents are slip, trip and fall type accidents, although from time to time, accidents can happen because of food or drinks that are spilled or are handled when they are too hot.
If things are left on the floor of the restaurant or there are wet or greasy patches on the floor, then someone might slip up or trip over and end up falling awkwardly.
It is the suddenness of the accident more than anything which can result in serious injuries such as:
- sprains and strains
- broken bones, especially limbs
- fractured hips and collar bones
- back and neck injuries
- brain damage.
Can You File a Lawsuit?
If you are certain that the accident you had could have been avoided, then you should really talk to a lawyer who deals with these sorts of accidents. The law in most states requires property owners to provide a safe environment and prevent hazards from causing accidents. It also requires you, as the accident victim, to prove that the property owner, or anyone working for them, was liable for the accident through negligence.
For instance, if very hot utensils or an open flame were left on a restaurant counter top and a restaurant patron was burned, then this may be sufficient to allow the affected individual to sue the restaurant, manager or staff for damages.
Why Use a Lawyer?
Some accident victims may think that using a lawyer to help them file a claim for accident compensation is too expensive and try and convince those responsible to pay for their medical bills or lost wages.
In practice, this rarely works as the restaurant owners are unlikely to admit responsibility and may claim that you should have been taking more care.
The potential cost of serious slip and fall injuries means that you should seek out legal help if you were not to blame for these injuries. An experienced personal injury attorney can assess your chances of success and help provide a more secure basis for a compensation settlement.
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Johnny Rocket's, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
