Slipping over in a fast food restaurant can certainly ruin a visit. It can also lead to serious financial consequences if the fall causes an injury to a sensitive part of the body. If the fall occurs because of the restaurant’s negligence, e.g. leaving a wet floor accessible to customers without a warning notice, then it may be possible to recover the cost of treatment and other compensation by filing a personal injury claim. It can be helpful to use a personal injury lawyer throughout the claim process.
How a Slip and Fall Accident Could Occur
Most slip and fall accidents take place because of slippery floors. In fast food restaurants, wet floors occur because drinks become spilled and when routine floor cleaning is carried out. It would be an expectation that the restaurant manager ensures that a wet floor doesn’t present a hazard.
Employees would be expected to dry the floor after cleaning, or at least prevent customers from using that section of the restaurant. Spilled drink messes should be cleaned up before someone gets hurt and preferably as soon as someone notices that something has spilled on to the floor.
Filing a Personal Injury Claim
If you have been injured after slipping over in a fast food restaurant, and think that the accident was avoidable, you should consider filing a personal injury claim against the company. Chick Fil-A, like other restaurant chains, will have premises liability insurance in the event that one of their customers has an accident like yours.
Compensation is rarely automatic. You will need to show evidence that the injury could have been avoided if restaurant employees or management had been more careful. Apart from proving negligence you will need to show documentation that justifies why you are claiming compensation. This could include:
- a doctor’s report on the seriousness of your injury;
- any reports from other medical facilities like a hospital;
- bills and invoices related to your injury, including a need for medications, like painkillers;
- confirmation from your place of employment to show what you have lost in earnings;
- evidence from a doctor or psychiatrist to support compensation for pain and suffering or emotional stress caused by the injury.
It’s Advisable to Use a Personal Injury Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer can certainly make it more likely that you will eventually receive the compensation you deserve. Most initial consultations with a PI lawyer will be provided free and it is at this meeting that you can explain what happened and discuss the possibility of winning a claim if you do choose to pursue one.
Most PI attorneys will defer legal fees until settlement if they take on your case and will not normally charge any fees unless the claim has been settled in your favor. Complete the Free Case Evaluation on this page today!
*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 Chick Fil-A, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
