Ylla Gosney, Attorneys at Law helps slip-and-fall injury victims in Tulsa, including those that are hurt at one of the city’s many grocery stores. If you’ve been injured at a Tulsa grocery store due to someone’s negligence, our experienced lawyers are here to help. Your needs are our primary concern. Contact us today for a free consultation to explore your options.
Should You Hire a Lawyer After an Accident at a Tulsa Grocery Store?
A slip-and-fall at a Tulsa grocery store is very frustrating. Still, if it’s a minor slip and fall, a lawyer might not be necessary. However, if your injuries are more serious, you should think about hiring a lawyer. Our team can provide the support you need.
We have a proven track record in handling these cases, where we can do the following for you:
- Investigation – We’ll look into the accident and gather important evidence.
- Determining fault – We’ll find out who’s responsible.
- Simplifying the process – We make everything easier for you.
One of the good things, relatively speaking, is that your legal rights are the same no matter which grocery store the accident happened in. However, each situation is different, so it’s important to understand what needs to be done for a claim.
Can You Protect Your Claim After a Slip-and-Fall at a Tulsa Grocery Store?
Whenever there’s a slip-and-fall accident at a Tulsa grocery store, you have certain legal options. But before you can start thinking about that, you have to respond in the right way. This will serve to protect both your health and a potential claim. Here’s what you can do to protect your claim:
- Get medical help – Seek immediate medical attention, both at the store and with a doctor later. Keep all medical records, including bills and receipts, as some injuries might not show up right away.
- Report the accident to the store – Inform a store employee or manager about the accident immediately. This should prompt them to give you first aid and fix the issue. Also, ask them to make an incident report and get a copy for your records.
- Gather and preserve evidence – Take photos or videos of the accident scene and any hazards. Note the date and time, and collect contact information from any witnesses. Keep any damaged clothing or personal items from the incident. Don’t repair or alter anything, as these items may be important for your case.
- Watch your statements – Be careful when you talk about the accident, especially with an insurance adjuster. Stick to the facts and be mindful of public statements you might make on social media about what happened.
These steps are crucial for your claim. We can help gather evidence and obtain valuable items like surveillance footage to strengthen your case, but it’s initially up to you to get the process started by attending to your injuries and keeping good records.
Who’s Liable for a Slip-and-Fall Accident at a Grocery Store?
Obviously, a grocery store is an environment where a slip-and-fall accident can happen. But at the same time, your first step is to figure out who’s “liable” for the incident. Store owners and managers are required to keep the property safe for customers. If they fail to do so, they’re probably going to carry most of the legal liability for any resulting injuries.
But you have to show “negligence” to officially make a claim. This means showing that the store:
- Knew about the dangerous condition but did not address it.
- Should have been aware of the hazard and failed to act.
While the store is going to be mostly liable for any accidents and injuries, there’s others that could potentially share some of the liability. This typically includes:
- Employees or contractors
- Product or food manufacturers
- Maintenance workers
- Local governments, if the accident happens on public property (like a city parking lot)
Keep in mind that if you were partially at fault–like ignoring signs or being in an unauthorized area–your financial damages might be reduced. However, you still have the right to file a claim and recover damages.
What Damages Can You Recover in a Claim?
There’s one main protection you and other slip-and-fall accident victims have when you get hurt at a Tulsa grocery store: filing an injury claim to recover “damages.” Whether you’re filing an insurance claim or pursuing a personal injury lawsuit, we’ll guide you through the process and put together a strong case to help you recover things like:
- Medical expenses
- Ongoing care needs, if there’s permanent on long-lasting injuries
- Lost income or earning potential
- Repair/replacement costs for damage to your personal items
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of quality of life
The amount of damages you can recover depends on the severity of your injury, the extent of the store’s fault, and other factors. Also remember, you have to file your claim on time. Currently, you have two years from the date of the accident to file.
Slip-and-Fall Accidents at…
WinCo
CashSaver
Whole Foods
Trader Joe’s
Why Do Slip-and-Fall Accidents Happen at Tulsa Grocery Stores?
The concept of negligence may be the legal standard for assigning liability to a slip-and-fall accident at a Tulsa grocery store, but it doesn’t get into the specifics of why these accidents happen. At the same time, it’s not hard to see how someone being negligent can lead to these accidents.
So, here’s a few of the more common causes of slip-and-fall accidents at these stores:
- Not cleaning up spills – Spills or leaks in grocery store areas like entrances and restrooms can create slippery conditions. If these areas aren’t quickly cleaned or marked, they pose a serious risk of slipping.
- Broken flooring – Torn carpets, cracked tiles, or uneven floors in grocery store aisles can be tripping hazards. Keeping these surfaces well-maintained is crucial to prevent accidents.
- Cluttered aisles – If grocery store aisles are blocked with merchandise or debris, it can obstruct pathways and increase the risk of tripping and falling.
- Poor lighting – Not having enough lighting in grocery store areas can make it difficult to spot potential hazards on the floor, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Poor maintenance – Problems like loose handrails or broken stairs in grocery stores need quick repair to avoid causing slip-and-fall accidents.
- Not having enough staff – If grocery store staff are not attentive or adequately staffed, they might miss hazards or fail to address them promptly, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Not warning customers – Grocery stores should provide clear warnings about any dangerous areas, such as wet floors or maintenance zones, to alert customers and prevent accidents.
Slip-and-fall accidents at grocery stores can result in various injuries, ranging from minor ones like bruises and scrapes that need minimal medical care to more severe issues like muscle sprains, fractures, and head injuries. In severe cases, injuries could include back or spine damage, which may lead to long-term disabilities, and emotional trauma such as anxiety or PTSD.
Regardless, these accidents are impactful and serve as the main basis of your potential legal options. Our team will be there to give you the guidance and support you need for a successful claim.
Experienced Tulsa Slip-and-Fall Accident Lawyers Can Help You
If you’ve been injured in a slip-and-fall accident at a Tulsa grocery store due to negligence, our experienced team at Ylla Gosney is here to help. We’ll work to hold those responsible accountable and make sure you get the financial support you need for your recovery. Contact us today for a free consultation to start your healing process.
