Trader Joe’s is a national grocery store chain that caters to customers who enjoy natural and organic products and specialty items at affordable prices. As shoppers peruse the shelves and look for their favorite items, they may not realize that they could slip and fall at any time. While Trader Joe’s is responsible for keeping its stores safe for its customers, employees, and other visitors, the potential is always there for a person to have a slip and fall accident on Trader Joe’s property.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), slips and falls are common causes of injuries in retail stores—and they can happen to anyone. There are many reasons why people can lose their footing and land on the ground in a way that injures them. Sometimes these injuries require a doctor’s visit, if not an emergency trip to the hospital.
If this has happened to you or a loved one, you might wonder if you can take legal action, especially if your slip and fall accident was caused by someone else’s negligence. But the thought of going through the legal process can be overwhelming if you are still recovering and trying to figure out how to pay your bills and get back to work.
An injury lawyer for slip and fall accidents at Trader Joe’s can help you navigate the legal system and seek financial awards to cover your losses. To learn more, call Ben Crump Law, PLLC for a free case review with a member of our team.
Why Slip and Fall Accidents Happen
There are many hazards in retail stores—some apparent and some not. While customers and others should always be as careful as possible, slip and fall accidents can still occur even when being careful.
Some causes of slip and fall accidents include:
- Wet or slippery floors from leaks, spills, or mopping
- Weather-related hazards in the parking lot, such as rain, ice, or snow
- Cracked or uneven surfaces
- Items that fall from shelves
- Items that are placed where they could cause harm
- Blind corners that make it hard to see other people
- Loose or exposed electrical cords
- Incorrectly labeled entrances and exits
- Poor lighting that reduces visibility
- Items blocking the aisles, such as boxes or pallets
As you recall your slip and fall accident at Trader Joe’s, make notes of what hazards were present when you fell and how you were injured. If possible, take photos and videos of the site where you feel and statements from any witnesses who can back your story. Documenting these things can help establish who is responsible for your injuries.
You should also report the accident to store management and be sure to obtain a copy of their paperwork for your files.
Common Slip and Fall Injuries
The extent of a person’s injuries typically depends on how they land on a surface after they fall. Common slip and fall injuries include:
- Head injuries, such as concussions, skull fractures, and traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts, abrasions, rashes, and bruises
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Pelvic injuries
- Broken bones
- Knee and elbow injuries
Cuts and soft tissue injuries are also common in slip and fall accidents. These injuries—which include sprains, strains, swelling, and tendonitis—often form below the surface and can be easy to overlook, according to Johns Hopkins Medicine.
It is important that you seek immediate medical help for any slip and fall injury you have, even ones that appear minor. You might feel little to no pain at the time of your accident, but that can change without warning. Some injuries become more serious over time, and even small injuries could indicate a significant health issue.
Receiving medical attention right away can also serve as documentation of your injuries to strengthen your personal injury case. Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC today to learn more.
Establishing Liability in a Slip and Fall Accident
An injury lawyer for slip and fall accidents at Trader Joe’s can help determine who is liable for your damages. The legal concept of premises liability will play a key role in your case, as it requires you to show that the property owner was negligent in maintaining the store.
If you believe Trader Joe’s is responsible for your accident, your lawyer must prove one of these to be true:
- The store’s owner, manager, or employee is directly responsible for causing your slip and fall accident.
- The store’s owner, manager, or employee knew about the hazard in the store that caused your fall, or knew the danger it could cause, but did not address it.
- The store’s owner, manager, or employee should have been “reasonably aware” of the hazard. This means a person working in the store should have seen the hazard and addressed it but failed to.
Proving the third point may be the most challenging of the three. For example, if a banana peel is on the floor and no one who works at Trader Joe’s cleans it up or marks the hazard with a sign, the store might be found liable for your injuries. In this case, establishing how long the banana peel was on the floor—and confirming that it was longer than a “reasonable” period—would be critical.
How an Injury Lawyer Can Help
You do not have to hire an attorney to represent you in your slip and fall case, but having one working on your behalf can help you determine the best course of legal action.
An injury lawyer for slip and fall accidents at Trader Joe’s can work to establish that the store is responsible for your injuries due to their negligence. This includes investigating:
- The site where you fell
- How the hazard that caused you to fall happened
- How long the danger was present
- If the store acted properly
Your lawyer can then calculate your losses and file a personal injury claim seeking compensation. Keep in mind that Trader Joe’s may respond to your attorney and attempt to counter the statements made on your behalf. They may say that you were responsible for your fall. An injury lawyer for slip and fall accidents at Trader’s Joe knows how to respond to these tactics and can offer you guidance in this area.
Contact Ben Crump Law, PLLC Today
Slip and fall injuries deserve attention and proper medical care, no matter how or where they occur. It could take years for you or your loved one to recover from the experience. While the idea of taking on a large corporation can be scary, you do not have to do it alone. The team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC does not shy away from tough cases. We believe in helping those who deserve justice.
Our injury lawyers for slip and fall accidents at Trader Joe’s are ready to help. Call us today at (800) 647-3113 to schedule a free consultation and discuss your next steps.
