Who Is Liable for a Grocery Slip-And-Fall Accident?
When shopping at the grocery store, your attention is pulled in several directions with parking, remembering what’s on your list, and finding your way through the aisles. You should not have to worry about potential hazards while shopping, as the grocery store owner is responsible for ensuring their customers are safe. However, if you slip and fall in a grocery store, proving fault is not always simple.
Our experienced lawyers at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP are well-versed in grocery store slip and fall cases, so we understand that they can be complicated, depending on the circumstances. We are dedicated to pursuing justice and achieving the compensation you deserve. With our extensive knowledge, we can help you understand who may be liable for a grocery store slip and fall and how to prove fault in these cases.
Understanding Fault in New York Grocery Store slip and fall Accidents
When shopping at a grocery store, the owner is responsible for upholding a duty of care for their customers. Therefore, when someone slips and falls on their property, they may be liable for the accident. However, this is not always the case. The following must have occurred for the grocery store owner to be liable for the accident:
- They must have reasonably known about the dangerous conditions
- They did not act to make their property safe or warn their customers about the hazard
- Your injuries from these conditions caused damages
If these elements are accurate for your case, you must also prove the following points:
- The grocery store owner owed you a duty of care
- They breached this duty of care through neglectful actions
- Their negligence caused your injuries
We understand this may sound intimidating, but you do not have to do it alone. We may be able to help you gather evidence and build the strongest possible case to hold the at-fault party accountable and achieve the compensation you deserve.
Could You Be Liable for a Grocery Store slip and fall?
In some cases, the victim may be liable for a slip and fall accident in a grocery store instead of the owner. Situations in which this may be true include the following:
- You ignored a sign warning you of dangerous conditions
- You were on your phone or distracted while shopping
- You were not careful to avoid any hazards
Even if you are partially at fault for your slip and fall accident, you can potentially still recover damages. New York is a comparative negligence state. This means each party is assigned a percentage of fault for the accident, and their damages are reduced by that percentage. For example, if you are found 25% at fault, your compensation is deducted by 25%. Our lawyers may negotiate with your insurance companies to ensure you receive a fair fault percentage and the compensation you deserve.
How to Prove Fault in New York Grocery Store slip and fall Accidents
After slipping and falling in a grocery store, there are several steps you can take to help prove fault in your case. If you can, you should take as many photos and videos of the scene as possible to capture it undisturbed. We understand that shock and adrenaline may inhibit your memory, so taking photos and videos prevents you from strictly relying on your recollection later.
We may be able to gather other forms of evidence for you to prove the grocery store owner’s fault, which include the following:
- Security camera footage
- Witness testimony
- Medical records
- Police reports
- Grocery store maintenance records
- Receipts of damages
In this way, contacting a lawyer is one of the best steps you can take after a slip and fall accident in a grocery store. With our attorneys by your side, we can help you determine what evidence is helpful for your case and utilize our own resources to better your chances of achieving a fair settlement.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Trustworthy New York slip and fall Lawyer at the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP
With so much on your mind while grocery shopping, you rely on the grocery store owner to properly maintain their property and warn you of any dangers to keep you safe. Unfortunately, owners often break this trust and fail to uphold their duty of care for their customers. If you have sustained injuries due to the negligence of a grocery store owner, you deserve top-notch representation that will fight for your rights.
At the Law Office of Cohen & Jaffe, LLP, we proudly provide high-quality, innovative legal services to New York residents, as we have for years. Our lawyers are dedicated to managing all aspects of your grocery store slip and fall case with our vast experience, knowledge, and skillset. Schedule a free consultation by giving us a call at 866-878-6774 or filling out our contact form. You can learn more about our team and services on our YouTube channel.
