How a Flagstaff Injury Lawyer Can Help You After a Fall in a Supermarket
A slip, trip, and fall in a grocery store can lead to some serious injuries – injuries that can keep you out of work and unable to engage in your day-to-day activities. When someone else’s negligence causes that fall, you have legal options.
At Griffen & Stevens Law Firm, we understand how a slip and fall accident can derail your life. Our Flagstaff injury lawyers helped countless Northern Arizona residents fight back against insurance companies to claim the compensation they need and deserve.
Top Causes of Grocery Store Slip and Fall Accidents
Grocery store owners and operators are responsible for keeping their customers safe. If they fail to do so and you get hurt, you can seek to hold them liable under Arizona’s premises liability laws. Some common causes of slip and fall accidents in grocery stores include:
Spilled Foods, Products, and Liquids
Slick spots can form on the floor when products fall from shelves or refrigeration units leak. Fruits, vegetables, and other perishable items that fall to the floor can create slippery and uneven surfaces. Cleaning products can also pose a slip and fall risk. If store employees don't promptly clean up these hazards or put warning signs in place, customers can slip and fall.
Weather-Related Hazards
Rain, snow, and ice tracked in from outside create slippery conditions near store entrances. These areas are hazardous for shoppers, and owners are legally required to warn you of the potential risks. Failure to address the hazards may leave owners open to liability.
Poor Store Maintenance
Broken floor tiles, torn carpeting, loose handrails, and uneven surfaces can catch shoppers off guard and lead to serious falls. Property owners who fail to replace or repair broken lighting (in the store, on the grounds, or even in the parking lot) may also be liable.
Injuries From Slip and Fall Accidents in Supermarkets
Falls are one of the leading causes of death and injury in the United States, especially for older Americans. Both shoppers and workers alike are at risk. Among the more severe injuries are:
- Head injuries. These range from mild concussions to severe traumatic brain injuries. Even seemingly minor head trauma requires immediate medical attention.
- Back and spine injuries. Falls often result in herniated discs, muscle strains, and other painful back conditions that can limit mobility and require long-term treatment.
- Hip fractures. These injuries typically require surgery and extensive rehabilitation, which may be particularly challenging for older adults.
- Knee and ankle injuries. Landing awkwardly can tear ligaments and damage joints, potentially requiring surgical repair and physical therapy.
Each of these injuries can cost you time away from the people and things you love. They can make working impossible, so your financial future could be at risk. At Griffen & Stevens Law Firm, PLLC, we work to make sure your future and family are secure.
What Damages Can I Seek in a Slip and Fall Case in Flagstaff
In Arizona, you can seek compensation, or damages, for your injuries if another person or entity is found liable for them. These generally fall into two categories: compensatory and punitive. Compensatory damages include compensation for:
- Medical expenses, both current and future;
- Lost wages and income, including loss of future earning potential as well as benefits, investments, pension contributions, and more;
- Pain and suffering, both physical and mental; and
- Out-of-pocket costs include transportation reimbursement to medical appointments, home modifications, and other injury-related expenses.
Punitive damages, on the other hand, are designed to punish the negligent party. Punitive damages may not apply to every case. Our Flagstaff slip and fall lawyers can explain whether or not you may be entitled to them.
How Do I Know if I Have a Slip and Fall Case?
Every successful slip and fall claim must establish four key elements:
- First, you must show you were legally on the property as a customer. This creates a relationship where the store owes you a duty of care.
- Second, the store had a duty to maintain safe premises by regularly inspecting for hazards and addressing them promptly.
- Third, the store breached this duty by failing to fix a dangerous condition or warn customers about it.
- Finally, this breach directly caused your injuries and resulting damages.
How Long Do I Have to File a Slip and Fall Claim in Northern Arizona?
Under Arizona Revised Statutes § 12-542, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim. We recommend you file as soon as possible so we can preserve any evidence. Besides – the sooner you start the process, the sooner we can work on resolving your case.
Why Choose Griffen & Stevens for Your Slip and Fall Case
Picking the right Flagstaff injury lawyers for your needs is an important step in your quest for justice. At Griffen & Stevens Law Firm, PLLC, we have decades of experience holding negligent property owners and operators to account. We know what kinds of tricks the insurance companies will use to reduce their offer – and more importantly, we know how to counter them based on facts and evidence.
Our firm has recovered millions in compensation for injury victims throughout Flagstaff and Northern Arizona. We understand local courts, judges, and opposing counsel. We handle slip and fall cases on a contingency basis: you pay nothing upfront and only get paid if we win compensation for you.
