Man Receives $240,000 in Florida Slip and Fall Case
Grocery stores are supposed to be safe for customers. Nobody expects that they will suffer serious injuries while shopping, but it sometimes happens, unfortunately. Spills are common in stores, which means customers are likely to slip and fall.
This was what happened to a delivery man in Florida. The 29-year-old man fell on spilled liquid while in the dairy aisle at a supermarket in Homestead in November 2017. He suffered multiple injuries, including an injured left shoulder and two herniated discs in his spine.
While the man underwent surgery for his shoulder and spine, he is not 100% cured. He continues to suffer from ongoing pain, which he expects to worsen over time. He also has physical limitations.
The original award was set at $319,120. However, it was reduced to $240,000, as the man was considered to be 25% at fault for the accident. The man was allegedly texting at the time and was not watching where he was going. The jury assigned the supermarket 75% of the blame.
What Causes Slips, Trips and Falls?
A person can slip and fall in a variety of ways. In grocery stores, they tend to happen due to spills and liquid on the grounds. This would include milk, juice, soda or another beverage spilled in an aisle or water tracked onto the floor from a customer after it’s been raining. Slips and falls also tend to occur outside on ice or in puddles in the winter.
Trips are also common and can lead to falls. Trips happen when a person hits something with their shoe and falls over. Trips often occur due to clutter, such as boxes, open drawers and cords. They can also be caused by rugs and worn-out flooring. They can also happen outdoors due to cracks or potholes on the ground.
Proving Liability
In order to receive compensation for your damages, you will need to prove liability. This means you must have proof that the business’ negligence led to your injuries.
This can be challenging. Not only must there be a dangerous condition present, but the business owner must have been aware of the condition. This takes into account that a reasonable person should have known about the issue. If you drop a jar of pickles and immediately slip on the juice, there’s not really much the business owner could have done to prevent that from happening. However, if the pickle juice was left there for an hour and other customers slipped in it, then the business establishment would likely be considered liable.
Get Legal Help for Your Florida Premises Liability Case
Grocery stores and other businesses need to ensure their premises are safe for customers. When their negligence leads to accidents and injuries, companies can be held liable.
If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident or other premises liability issues, get help from the Tampa premises liability lawyers at Pawlowski//Mastrilli Law Group. Our team will assess your case and help you take appropriate action. Fill out the online form or call 813-242-4404 for a free consultation.
Resource:
law.com/dailybusinessreview/2020/06/18/store-customer-fell-in-puddle-claimed-shoulder-and-spinal-injuries/
https://megajustice.com/woman-busch-gardens-equally-to-blame-in-florida-premises-liability-case/
