Since grocery shopping is such common weekly chore in New York City, most people don’t give a second thought to all the things that could go wrong while pushing a cart or carrying a basket down the aisles. However, one of the most common places where slip and fall accidents occur is the grocery store because of all of the potentially messy items sitting on the store shelves and waiting to be stocked.
If you have suffered from a sip and fall in a New York grocery store, the Law Office of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum is here to help. Here’s how to handle the situation if it happens to you.
Reasons for Grocery Store Falls
One of the most common reasons why falls happen in grocery stores is leaks and spills that from food and beverage products. Shoppers also trip and fall while trying to navigate around boxes and pallets left out on the floor for stocking purposes.
Other hazards that you might encounter in a grocery store are improperly stacked items that fall from high shelves, missing or bunched-up floor mats, and damaged grocery carts that are still in use. Store entrances pose additional hazards during times of rainy or snowy weather in New York. All of these incidents can result in significant injuries, including but not limited to concussions, broken bones, bruises, cuts, and back injuries.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall in a Grocery Store
Seeing medical treatment for your injuries should be your first priority after a grocery store fall, even if you don’t feel extreme pain right away. If you are unable to safely move after your fall, ask someone for help or call 911 immediately.
Make sure to report your fall to a store manager and write down the manager’s name, contact information, and store insurance details. If witnesses saw you fall in the store, write down their contact information too in case you need their testimony later.
It is very useful to take photos of the accident scene and to jot down notes about the circumstances that led up to your fall, especially if you hit your head since your memory could be compromised later. Keep notes about the pain and symptoms that you feel, as well as copies of all medical records and bills related to your injuries. As soon as possible, contact our office online or call us at 718-237-5586 for a free legal consultation and to understand your rights as a grocery store accident victim.
Proving a Case Against the Grocery Store
To prove that a grocery store was at fault for your slip and fall accident, you need the experienced legal team of Jeffrey K. Kestenbaum on your side. We can help you prove that the store owner/management/employees caused the dangerous condition, knew about the condition and didn’t fix it, and/or should have known about it because any reasonable person would have done so.
These can be difficult cases to prove with a reasonable negligence claim, but we are up for the challenge. We excel at proving fault in slip and fall accidents and getting plaintiffs the compensation they deserve. We will fight for you to bring the grocery store to justice so you can take care of your health and protect your rights as a shopper and a New Yorker.
