Have you ever considered what you would do if you, or a family member, had a terrible accident that was entirely someone else's fault? It could be an accident anywhere on one of the nation's busy highways, or it could be in your local pizza restaurant. All it takes is a lack of care on the part of someone else and you could be left with injuries that you never anticipated.
When accidents like this happen, that are caused by someone else's negligence, you may be able to obtain compensation from them with the help of an attorney and the state premises liability laws that place a responsibility on property owners to ensure their property is safe if members of the public are allowed to use it.
What Could Go Wrong at a Pizza Restaurant?
It is unlikely that an accident is going to take place at a well run establishment where the owner, manager(s) and staff all make sure that they have a commitment to safety. However, many restaurants across the United States are chain operated and it is often hard to ensure that every restaurant is well run.
Potential Injuries at a Restaurant
Typical accidents at a restaurant may include:
- Slipping up on wet or greasy floors;
- Tripping over on rough or uneven surfaces or where trash or food has been left on the ground;
- Burns and scalds from food or liquids that are too hot;
- Food poisoning from contaminated food or utensils that have not been cleaned properly.
Minor injuries are not so bad, usually no more than cuts and bruises, but they must be attended to in case they become infected. More serious are muscle strains, sprains, especially of ankles and wrists, broken bones and damage to the spine and/or brain.
Why a Personal Injury Attorney Can Make All the Difference
Injuries on private or public property are covered by the individual state’s premises liability law. While these laws provide protection for members of the public when they are away from their own home, the onus is on the injured party to prove that negligence has taken place.
In the case of an accident at a restaurant, it must be shown that the restaurant owner or the manager or his or her employees were aware of a hazard and did nothing about it to remove it or least at had sufficient time to be aware of it.
Proving this can be hard without the help of a professional attorney who has had experience in restaurant accidents and knows how to deal with those at fault and their insurers who are unlikely to admit liability readily.
*The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Papa Gino's, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
