Stores and Restaurants Owe a Duty to Protect Patrons
from Slipping and Falling
Many of us have experienced the familiar scene in a grocery store in which an entire aisle is partially or completely blocked from customer access due to the spill of some kind of liquid substance. What may seem like a temporary annoyance is actually the store’s recognition and protection against liability for slip and fall lawsuits. Such civil suits are very common against grocery stores, retail chains, and restaurants where plaintiffs have inadvertently fallen due to some substance on the floor that the staff has failed to clean properly.
Store owners and restaurateurs owe a heightened duty of care to patrons on premises for purposes of spending money or incurring an economic benefit. The heightened safety requirements dictate that an owner has the duty to inspect the premises for known hazards, dangers, and potential injury-causing conditions. As such, a store owner will be undeniably liable for liquids or substances present on the floors of common areas such as store aisles, lobbies, or any other place where shoppers or diners are likely to be present.
Failure to exercise the duty to inspect the premises for danger leaves the store or restaurant owner vulnerable to lawsuits from any patron who sustained injuries from a fall as a result of slipping on a substance on the floor. Even if a defendant takes subsequent remedial measures to ensure the condition is clean and never happens again, the rules of evidence preclude introduction of any of these actions as they relate to the defendant’s negligence.
A Marietta or Gwinnett personal injury attorney can explain the nuances of slip and fall litigation, but most cases are fairly straightforward. As long as the plaintiff was not walking in an unauthorized area that was closed to customers, he should be able to recover for his personal injuries as a result of falling while shopping. Shoppers deserve a clean and safe environment while on the premises of a shopkeeper, and any deviation from this requirement will result in significant liability against the store’s owners.
If you were recently injured after slipping and falling while shopping or dining, call a dedicated personal injury attorney at Braun and Ree, LLP, today for a free consultation.
