{"id":773,"date":"2022-09-05T22:23:27","date_gmt":"2022-09-05T22:23:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wolflawpllc.com\/?p=773"},"modified":"2023-12-29T11:42:48","modified_gmt":"2023-12-29T11:42:48","slug":"common-causes-accidents-grocery-store","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wolflawpllc.com\/blog\/premises-liability\/common-causes-accidents-grocery-store\/","title":{"rendered":"Common Causes of Accidents in a Grocery Store"},"content":{"rendered":"

Most of us visit grocery stores to purchase items we need. For a variety of reasons, slip and fall and trip and fall accidents are common in these retail establishments. For example, a shopper might slip on a puddle of water from a leaking freezer unit. Spilled liquids are just one of the common causes of accidents in grocery stores. No matter what leads to an injury, these mishaps are known as premises liability claims<\/a>. When a property owner doesn\u2019t keep their store safe for their customers and guests, a personal injury lawyer can assist victims in seeking compensation.<\/p>\n

Grocery Store Dangers Are Everywhere<\/h2>\n

The most common type of accident is a slip and fall or a trip and fall, where a liquid or object causes someone to tumble to the ground. However, there are many other ways you can be injured inside and outside in accidents in a grocery store. Property owners and their employees must watch for dangers and correct them immediately to avoid putting visitors at risk.<\/p>\n

Slip and Falls in Grocery Stores<\/h3>\n

Broken tiles or bunched-up floor-mats could cause someone to trip and suffer injuries. Customers are often looking for their groceries and not staring down at the floor. It\u2019s easy to miss potential dangers on the ground and suffer a premises liability accident.<\/p>\n

Puddles or slick surfaces are especially risky. Even when employees do their duty to keep areas clean by mopping, the damp floor is a hazard.<\/p>\n

Products and Store Equipment<\/h3>\n

If products are stacked too high in a display, they could topple onto a customer. Heavy products are a particular problem and should be on lower shelves or on the floor. If stored higher up, they could break shelving or fall onto the person trying to lift them.<\/p>\n

Malfunctioning electrical equipment can cause a shock hazard if wires contact a puddle or metal surfaces.<\/p>\n

Automatic doors that don\u2019t work are another issue. If a door isn\u2019t working properly, it could fail to open, causing customers to walk into it. If it closes too soon, it could injure someone caught between the doors. When stores are large, customers may be hurt on escalators, stairs, or elevators.<\/p>\n

Obstructions in the aisles<\/h3>\n

Most grocery stores stock their shelves overnight or in the early morning hours. If you\u2019re an early bird shopper, you could be hurt by tripping over boxes or heavy dollies left in the aisles. Product displays that are poorly stacked or placed might cause you to bump them with your cart, knocking them over and causing injury.<\/p>\n

Sidewalk and Parking Lot Hazards<\/h3>\n

Premises liability covers all the property owned by the grocery store, including the sidewalks and parking areas. Owners are liable for debris, potholes, ice, puddles, and other dangerous conditions that could injure their customers.<\/p>\n

Proving Negligence and Fault in a Grocery Store Accident<\/h2>\n

Property owners have a duty of care to their customers and visitors, which is why it is important to know what to do if you slip and fall in a store<\/a>. If you have been hurt in a slip and fall or a trip and fall, you must establish that the owner failed in that duty and you were physically hurt as a result. Proving negligence is best done with the help of an experienced personal injury lawyer. A premises liability attorney will be able to determine the difference between a slip and fall versus a trip and fall<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Whether you are filing an insurance claim or a premises liability lawsuit, you must demonstrate the following conditions to show negligence:<\/p>\n