If you have been injured while at a retail or grocery store, you may be wondering if your injuries entitle you to compensation from the store owner or operator. The answer depends on many factors, including what type of injury you sustained and how exactly you were injured. If you were injured due to someone else’s negligence (like a spill that wasn’t cleaned up or merchandise that fell because it was not properly secured), you might have a personal injury claim. For help, contact GOLDLAW today.
Common Types of Injuries at Retail and Grocery Stores in Florida
Many people are injured every year while shopping at retail and grocery stores. Whether you’re injured because of the store’s negligence or as a result of a defective product, you could be entitled to compensation. Some of the most common ways people are injured at retail and grocery stores include:
Slip and Fall Accidents
Wet floors, spills, uneven surfaces, and cluttered aisles can all lead to slip-and-fall accidents. If the store owner knew about the dangerous condition and did nothing to fix it or warn shoppers about it, they may be liable for your injuries.
Negligent Security
Another common type of injury that occurs at retail stores is due to negligent security. This can include anything from assaults in the parking lot to robberies inside the store. The store owner might be liable for your injuries if you were injured due to the lack of security at a retail store, such as a lack of adequate lighting.
Defective Products
People are also injured by defective products every day. Whether it’s a toy that breaks and cuts your child or a piece of furniture that collapses and hurts you, if the product was defective and caused your injury, you may be able to hold the manufacturer and/or the store liable.
Injuries from Falling Merchandise
Another common type of injury that can occur in retail and grocery stores is from falling merchandise. This could be anything from boxes falling off shelves or items falling off racks. If the store was aware of the hazard and did not take steps to fix it or warn shoppers, they may be liable for any injuries.
Inexperienced Store Employees
Unfortunately, some retail and grocery stores will hire inexperienced employees and fail to provide proper training on safely performing their job duties. This lack of training can lead to employees injuring themselves or customers. For example, an employee not adequately trained in operating a forklift could hurt themselves or someone else while attempting to move merchandise around the store.
How to Prove a Grocery Store Negligence Claim in Florida
If you’ve been injured in a grocery store (or another retail store) in Florida, you need to establish the following elements to be successful in your claim:
1. Establish That the Store Had a Duty to Keep You Safe
You’ll first need to establish that the store had a duty to keep you safe from foreseeable injuries. In most cases, this won’t be difficult; all businesses must keep their customers safe from reasonably foreseeable dangers.
2. Show That the Store Failed in Its Duty to Keep You Safe
Once you’ve established that the store had a duty to keep you safe from reasonably foreseeable injuries, you’ll need to show that the store failed in that duty. To do this, you’ll need to show that the store knew or should have known about the hazard that caused your accident and did not take reasonable steps to fix it or warn patrons about it.
For example, let’s say you slipped and fell on a wet floor in a grocery store. To prove that the store was liable for your injuries, you would need to show that the floor was wet at the time of your accident and that the store knew or should have known about it but did not take steps to clean it up or warn patrons about it.
3. Causation
You will also need to prove that the store’s negligence caused your injuries. If you broke your wrist because you slipped in the water, this would be evidence that the store’s negligence caused your injuries.
4. Prove That You Suffered Damages as a Result of Your Accident
Finally, you’ll need to prove that your accident resulted in actual damages. This means showing that you suffered an injury and incurred expenses due to that injury, such as medical bills or lost wages due to missed work. In some cases, damages may also include pain and suffering or other intangible losses.
Statute of Limitations for Retail and Grocery Store Injuries in Florida
In the state of Florida, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is four years from the date of the accident. This means that if you do not file a claim within four years, you will most likely be unable to receive any compensation for your injuries.
There are some circumstances in which the four-year statute of limitations does not apply. For example, if the injured party is under 18 years old at the time of the accident or if the injured party is mentally incapacitated at the time of the accident.
Why You Should Hire GOLDLAW
At GOLDLAW, we have served the legal needs of our community for more than 20 years. Our legal team has the expertise and experience to guide you through your personal injury case and help you recover. GOLDLAW is a full-service law firm that can handle all aspects of your personal injury case, from initial consultation to trial.
What We Offer
At GOLDLAW, we offer a free initial consultation to discuss your case. We will review the facts of your case and explain your legal options. After that, we will work with you to develop a personalized legal strategy.
We know that insurance companies are not always on your side. We will deal with the insurance companies on your behalf so that you can focus on healing. If necessary, we will take your case to trial to get you the justice you deserve.
If you or someone you know has been injured in an accident, contact GOLDLAW today to schedule a free consultation with a Port St. Lucie retail and grocery store accident attorney.