Grocery stores are widely relied upon in the Walnut Creek area. While many people are no longer visiting shopping malls during the COVID-19 pandemic, they are still getting to the grocery store to purchase food and essential items.
It's absolutely critical that grocery store management and employees go above and beyond to ensure the safety of customers. Slip, trip, and falls are one of the leading causes of injuries in grocery stores.
Slipping and tripping hazards
A slip and fall can happen unexpectedly, especially if there are no hazard signs placed in the area where the hazard is located. One moment you could be browsing through items on the shelf. The next moment, your feet can come right out from under you and you can land flat on your back.
Slipping hazards in grocery stores are often the result of:
- Unaddressed spills, leaks and breakages
- Unsecured carpets
- Water tracked in from outside
- Small debris on walking areas
In many cases, slipping hazards aren't spotted with the human eye and aren't addressed until someone has been injured. Once a hazard is identified, it's up to store management or an employee to promptly clean it up and place appropriate signage in the area to warn customers.
Tripping hazards are often caused by uneven surfaces, large cracks, hidden curbs, and low-laying pallets and displays, as well as objects and debris on walking surfaces.
It's very unlikely to not sustain an injury in a slip, trip, and fall accident. These accidents often result in:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Spinal injuries
- Whiplash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Cuts, bruises, and contusions
What should I do if I was hurt in a slip, trip, and fall accident in a grocery store?
You should immediately report the fall to a store manager so that the incident can be documented. You should also take note of the date, time and location of the incident. If you have a camera or cellphone handy, be sure to take pictures of the hazard that led to your fall.
You should also get prompt medical attention, even if you don't feel any pain. Some injuries can take several days to start showing symptoms. Your medical evaluation can provide documentation of the injuries you sustained in the incident.
Lastly, it's important that you speak to an experienced Walnut Creek personal injury lawyer who can help you get compensated for your current and future medical costs. In addition, your attorney can help you get compensated for lost wages, as well as non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering.
To learn more about your legal options, contact Clancy & Diaz Personal Injury Attorneys and schedule your free case evaluation.