Did you suffer an injury while shopping for groceries at Kroger? If so, you might want to consider filing a personal injury claim against the grocery chain.
Smashed Fruit and Alleged Destroyed Evidence**
A Georgia resident was 49 when shopping at Kroger in Douglassville, Ga., in May 2008. A piece of smashed fruit on the floor led to the resident slipping and falling, which caused spinal cord injuries that required extensive medical treatment and left the man unable to work.
His medical expenses mounted to $135,000 after the man underwent spinal surgery and other treatments in an effort to improve after the injury.
When the personal injury case against Kroger went to court, the store's lawyers claimed that surveillance cameras weren't directed toward the accident scene, so the incident wasn't recorded.
After additional investigation, it was determined that a video tape did exist and it had been intentionally destroyed by store representatives.
Because of the investigation conducted by his personal injury attorney, the resident was awarded $2.3 million after the Judge determined the grocery store had been negligent after it was proven video evidence had been destroyed, according to an article on a personal injury firm website.
Why the Large Sum?
The spinal injury suffered by the resident was life-altering, and he will not be able to return to work. He lost his income and his ability to properly provide for his family. Negligence was proven when the residents lawyers did discover the incident was caught on video. The video recording was kept for 17 days until the store allegedly destroyed the tapes, which the judge felt was evidence of negligence because the tape could have either proven or disproven the case.
The court also considered that the resident had accumulated more than $135,000 in medical expenses for treatment of his injuries and might require additional care in the future. Combining medical expenses, loss of wages, and pain and suffering along with the store's negligence, the judge determined the victim was entitled to the larger settlement.
Get the Help You Need from a Personal Injury Attorney
If you have suffered a slip and fall injury while shopping at a store, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. Your lawyer will ensure your rights are protected and will make sure that you are treated fairly. A personal injury attorney will investigate the accident to gather evidence that hopes to prove the store's negligence and how your injury occurred.
Personal injury attorneys aren't paid until you win your claim, so you have nothing to lose by scheduling a consultation.
*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 Kroger, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
Case Taken From Patch.com:patch.com/georgia/douglasville/douglasville-man-awarded-2-3m-in-kroger-law-suit
