Oftentimes, people don’t realize how dangerous supermarkets can be. From spills on the floor to unsafe parking lot conditions, anyone who steps foot on the property can sustain devastating injuries due to negligence. Supermarket accidents are extremely common and can result in serious injuries that can negatively impact a victim’s life. One of the most common accidents to occur in a supermarket is a slip and fall. Supermarkets must maintain a safe environment for their customers. If you or someone you care about has been injured in a supermarket accident, contact a skilled Santa Clara County Supermarket Accident Attorney who can help you recover monetary damages for your injuries. Our team of knowledgeable and determined attorneys can help you get the justice you deserve.
Who is liable for damages after a supermarket accident?
Supermarkets have a legal responsibility to preserve and maintain safe conditions for their customers. When a hazardous condition exists, the necessary parties must take action to quickly remedy this safety hazard. If the supermarket knew or should have reasonably known about the dangerous condition and left it unattended which resulted in your injury, they will be held accountable for damages. Several negligent parties can be held responsible for damages including:
- Supermarket owners
- Property owners
- Supermarket management
- Supermarket staff
If any hazardous conditions are left unattended by supermarket owners or staff, they will be found negligent. If there is loose produce, unsteady displays of merchandise, defective shopping carts, or broken glass on the ground, the staff must fix these dangerous conditions as quickly as possible to prevent injury. If they fail to remedy these dangerous conditions or fail to display a hazard sign warning customers to avoid this dangerous area, they will be held responsible for any injuries that result.
What is the statute of limitations for premises liability?
In California, injured individuals have two years from the date the injury was inflicted to file a claim against a negligent party. If they fail to file a claim within this period, they will be barred from ever doing so. Victims can file a claim anytime within those two years, however, it is always better to act quickly in these types of situations. If you wait too long, you could lose your chance of recovering any damages. Under California premises liability laws property owners must uphold a safe climate for their customers. If they fail to do so, they will be held liable due to negligence. However, victims have to prove that their injury was directly caused by negligence. They can prove this by:
- keeping any pertinent medical records
- filing an incident report
- file a police report
- taking photos or video footage of the hazardous conditions
- asking witnesses for their contact information
Victims can prove their injuries were directly caused by negligence by documenting the incident. If they can satisfy the burden of proof, victims are entitled to financial compensation for their damages.
If you or a loved one is a victim of a supermarket accident and suffered grave injuries, reach out to one of our trusted and dedicated attorneys. Our firm is committed to your best interest and can help you get back on your feet.