Suffering a slip-and-fall accident while walking through a grocery store in Florida can be traumatic. When a person slips and falls in a public place, the first thought often is regaining their composure, getting back up and hoping no one notices. However, the situation can take a different turn if injuries are involved.
A duty of care
Florida statute 768.0755 clearly states that the grocery store management, owners or responsible parties may be held liable for injuries sustained by a person during a slip and fall incident if they had actual or constructive knowledge of a dangerous condition and failed to address it. All stores are obligated to maintain safe premises for customers, which entails regularly inspecting their store to ensure it is free from hazards or dangers. Trip hazards can occur in grocery store aisles, sidewalks, walkways or parking lots.
Documenting the fall
One of the challenges in premises liability cases is that the individual filing the case often lacks sufficient evidence to prove the grocery store’s negligence. The burden of proof falls on the victim to demonstrate negligence by the grocer and their failure to address known or reasonably foreseeable dangers. Furthermore, it must be established that the injury directly resulted from such negligence.
In larger grocery stores, security cameras are installed inside and outside the premises. In some instances, security footage can serve as evidence to support negligence claims. To document their case effectively, individuals involved in slip and fall incidents should take photographs of their injuries and the hazardous conditions that caused them. It may also be helpful to gather the names and contact information of witnesses to the incident. Additionally, speaking with the on-duty manager and providing a detailed account of what transpired can prove beneficial.
Grocery store owners are legally obligated to keep their premises safe for their customers. When a slip and fall accident happens, proper documentation and gathering witnesses could be crucial in the victim getting compensation.