Falls are a top cause of non-fatal injuries in the United States. However, with good safety practices, falls are often preventable.
When a slip and fall is the result of another party’s negligence, such as a careless grocery store, the injured person may be entitled to financial compensation. No one wants to be involved in litigation, but a broken bone or head injury can have a significant impact on a person’s emotional and physical health.
Proving negligence can be difficult, which is why it is critical to have a lawyer. It is not enough to say you fell in your local grocery store and the business is responsible. Most commercial business accident cases are personal injury claims, and these cases focus on negligence.
For negligence to exist under the law, a claim must prove the following elements:
- Duty: Another party (the grocery store) had a legal duty to provide a safe environment for visitors.
- Breach of duty: That party breached their duty by failing to rectify the obvious hazard in a reasonable timeframe.
- Causation: That breach of duty directly caused your injury.
- Damages: You experienced physical, emotional, and financial losses as a direct result of your fall in the grocery store.
What Causes Slip and Fall Accidents in Grocery Stores?
Between employees stocking shelves, shoppers wheeling carts in every direction, and guests lining up to check out, grocery stores are buzzing with activity. With so many moving parts and people, it is no wonder that supermarkets are a common spot for slip and fall accidents.
Spilled foods, newly-mopped floors, and wet or uneven surfaces are just a few of the many hazards lurking within a market. Outside the store, customers contend with potholes, poor lighting, and icy walkways if management does not take the proper steps to ensure the entire property is as safe as possible.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
According to the CDC, one in five falls results in a serious injury, such as a broken bone or head injury. Common slip and fall injuries include:
- Bruising.
- Lacerations.
- Bone fractures.
- Spinal cord injuries.
- Sprains and strains.
- Concussions and other traumatic brain injuries.
If a slip and fall accident could have been reasonably prevented, a grocery store may be liable. This is why personal injury claims are so important. They hold at-fault parties responsible. They compensate injured individuals, and they motivate business owners to take safety seriously.
Hazlet Slip and Fall Lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova Provide Compassionate Legal Counsel to Personal Injury Clients
If you have been injured at a business, such as a grocery store, in New Jersey, our Hazlet slip and fall lawyers at Mikita & Roccanova can help. We can carefully assess your situation and provide counsel to help you make informed decisions about your case. If you decide to work with us, we will guide you through the legal process every step of the way. Call us at 732-705-3363 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation today. Located in Hazlet and Highland Park, New Jersey, we serve clients in Ocean County, Sussex County, Neptune, Middlesex County, and Pennsylvania.