Grocery stores in Vermont owe a duty to their customers to keep their stores in a safe condition. When they fail to properly maintain their premises and you are injured as a result, a premises liability attorney in Vermont can help you pursue the compensation you deserve.
I, David Polow, am an experienced personal injury lawyer. I have handled countless personal injury claims over the last 40 years in Vermont.
If you recently slipped in a store or have any personal injury case, please call me today for a free consultation. My number is 802-888-7707.
Causes of Grocery Store Slips and Falls
Grocery store slips and falls happen every day. In some cases, these incidents are simply accidents and could not be prevented. However, in other situations, careless behavior by companies and the employees who work for them leads to severe injuries. Examples of negligent behavior that can cause a slip and fall or a fall include:
• A customer informs an employee of a spill, and the employee forgets about it and goes back to work.
• An employee mops the floor and fails to put up a “wet floor” sign.
• Employees fail to clear up the ice and snow in a parking lot.
• Crushed food is left on the floor for hours.
• A soft drink machine or other self-serve machine leaks and the store fails to fix it.
• Employees improperly stock shelves so merchandise is precariously perched.
• Employees create obstructions in the aisles with boxes, pallets, food, or other items.
• Businesses fail to repair cracked pavement or sidewalks.
Many slip and fall victims are vulnerable individuals who are more likely to suffer a serious injury after a hard fall, such as the elderly or children. If you, a family member or a friend was injured in a slip and fall in a grocery store, take the precautions I discuss below to protect your legal rights and claim.
What to Do After a Grocery Store Slip and Fall
If you are hurt in a slip and fall or a fall in a store, take these steps:
Seek Medical Attention
Slips and falls can cause serious injuries, such as:
• Spinal cord injuries
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Broken hip
• Broken arm
• Sprained wrist
• Soft tissue injuries
• Lacerations, contusions, or disfiguring injuries
The best way to minimize the harm you suffer is to seek immediate medical attention. Inform your medical providers of your slip and fall and the symptoms you are experiencing.
Report Your Fall
Ask to talk to a manager or other person in charge of the store to report your grocery slip and fall. Provide a succinct statement about how the accident happened. Ask for a copy of the report once it is documented.
Document the Scene.
As much as possible, try to identify what caused you to slip and fall. It might’ve been a liquid spill, a loose floor tile, ice that was not removed, or another hazard. Whenever you have a chance, write down the description of the substance that caused your fall, including its shape, size, and texture.
With your phone’s camera, try to capture what you think caused you to slip and fall. Photograph the conditions that may have played a part in the accident. Try to spot any surveillance cameras that might have captured the accident. Your lawyer may be able to request footage later that can help show your right to compensation.
Talk to Witnesses
If anyone nearby might’ve seen the accident, ask for their contact information. Having an objective person who can speak about what they saw before and after the accident can be extremely beneficial to your case. Better yet please try and get their name, phone number and email address.
Contact a Slip and Fall Attorney
The grocery store and their insurance provider will likely try to deny your claim or minimize it. It is vital that you speak to an experienced slip and fall attorney who will protect your interests.
Potential Compensation for Injuries
If you were hurt in a grocery store slip and fall accident, you might be entitled to compensation if you can prove that:
• The grocery store owed you a duty of care and breached it
• Because of the breach, you slipped and fell
• You suffered compensable damages because of the store’s negligence
You may be able to recover compensation for the following expenses related to your injuries:
• Medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Damaged personal property
• Pain and suffering
Many grocery store slip and fall accident victims are confused about what to do after this type of incident. They may wonder if they should contact a grocery store premises liability attorney. I try my best to protect your best interests. We have seen insurance companies and big corporations try to resolve these types of cases with lowball offers that do not even cover your medical expenses, let alone your pain and suffering or other damages. You shouldn’t be stuck having to pay medical bills and dealing with other setbacks because of someone else’s negligence.
I offer one-on-one attention to every client. You don’t pay unless and until I recover compensation on your behalf. So, you have nothing to lose by calling me today for your free and confidential case review.
GET MY HELP
Do I Have a Claim For Compensation if I am Injured from a Slip and Fall in a Grocery Store in Vermont?
[et_pb_dcsbcm_divi_breadcrumbs_module admin_label="Breadcrumbs" _builder_version="3.24" fontsbreadcrumblinks_font="||||||||" fontsbreadcrumblinks_text_color="#febd0e" custom_margin="||0px" custom_margin_tablet="||30px" custom_margin_phone="||30px" custom_margin_last_edited="on|desktop" custom_padding_tablet="||30px" custom_padding_phone="" custom_padding_last_edited="on|tablet" fontsbreadcrumblinks_text_color__hover_enabled="on" fontsbreadcrumblinks_text_color__hover="#ffffff"][/et_pb_dcsbcm_divi_breadcrumbs_module]