Safeway Slip and Fall Cases

If you've been injured in a slip and fall accident at the supermarket—or any other type of store—you may be wondering whether you have a case. The answer depends on several factors, including whether someone else's negligence played a role in causing your fall and resulting injuries. If you were injured and think you may have a slip and fall case, it's best to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney who can help evaluate your unique situation and determine whether pursuing legal action makes sense for you.

Morgan & Morgan has been handling Safeway slip and fall cases for decades. Over the years, we have recovered billions of dollars for our clients and will do whatever it takes to get you the compensation you’re entitled to. Contact Morgan & Morgan today to schedule your free consultation.

What Is a Slip and Fall Case?

A slip and fall case is a type of personal injury case where the plaintiff (the person who is suing) claims that they were injured due to the negligence of a property owner. For example, if you were walking in a grocery store and slipped on a wet floor that had not been properly cleaned or marked, you could potentially sue the store for your injuries.

There are four main elements that must be present in order for a slip and fall case to be successful: duty, breach, injuries, and causation. The duty is usually straightforward—did the property owner have a duty to keep the property safe? For example, all business owners have a duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for customers. The breach is usually also straightforward—did the property owner breach their duty? For example, if the grocery store had failed to clean up a spill in a reasonable amount of time, they would likely be considered to have breached their duty. Injuries are also fairly simple. Were you injured, and how serious were the injuries? This can usually be proven through medical records or expert witness testimony.

The causation element is usually the most difficult to prove. In order to win a slip and fall case, you must be able to prove that the property owner’s negligence was the cause of your injuries. For example, if you tripped on your own shoelace and fell, you would not be able to sue the grocery store because your own shoelace was the cause of your fall, not anything that the grocery store did or did not do.

Why Do You Need a Lawyer for Your Safeway Slip and Fall Cases?

If you've been injured in a slip and fall, you may be wondering if you need a lawyer. The answer, in short, is yes. Here's why.

Slip and fall cases can be complex. Many factors need to be considered to build a strong case, including determining who was at fault, what injuries were sustained, and whether those injuries will have long-term implications. A lawyer will be able to navigate the complex legal landscape and help you build a strong case so that you can get the compensation you deserve.

In addition to being complex, slip and fall cases can also be time-consuming. Insurance companies will often try to drag out the process to delay payouts. A lawyer will be able to handle all the paperwork and red tape so that you can focus on your recovery.

Finally, it's important to have a lawyer on your side because insurance companies will often try to offer very low settlements. They know that most people are not familiar with the value of their own personal injury claim, and they will often try to take advantage of that by offering a settlement that is significantly lower than what the claim is actually worth. A lawyer will fight for you and make sure that you get the full amount of compensation you're entitled to.

What to Do Immediately After a Safeway Slip and Fall Accident?

First and foremost, it's important that you seek medical attention as soon as possible after an accident. This is not only for your own health and well-being, but also because a doctor's visit can serve as valuable documentation should you decide to pursue legal action. In addition, be sure to get the contact information of any eyewitnesses, as their testimony can be helpful down the road.  

The next step is to take pictures of the scene of the accident if possible. This can be helpful in proving how the accident happened and who, if anyone, may be at fault. For example, if there was a spill on the floor that wasn't cleaned up in a timely manner, this could be used as evidence that the store was negligent in its duties.

Finally, it's important that you save any receipts or other documentation related to the accident. This could include medical bills, prescriptions costs, or lost wages from time missed at work. All of this will be important should you decide to file a claim or lawsuit seeking compensation for your injuries.

What are Common Defenses Safeway May Use?

There are two common types of defenses that property owners will try to use in Safeway slip and fall cases: comparative fault and assumption of risk.

Comparative fault means that even if the property owner was negligent, you were also negligent, and your own negligence contributed to your injuries. For example, if you were walking in a grocery store and slipped on a wet floor that had not been properly cleaned or marked, but you were also not paying attention to where you were walking, the court may find that you are 50% at fault for your own injuries. Even if you are awarded damages, your monetary award would be reduced based on your percentage of fault.

Assumption of risk means that you knew of the dangerous condition on the property and chose to proceed anyway. For example, if there was a sign that said “Caution: Wet Floor” and you chose to walk through the area anyway and subsequently slipped and fell, you may not be able to successfully sue the store because you assumed the risk of injury by proceeding into the area with the wet floor.

This doesn’t mean that there’s no way for you to recover compensation in these scenarios. You should still always speak with a lawyer to see what your options are.

How Much Is My Slip and Fall Case Worth?

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be wondering how much your lawsuit is worth. The answer to this question is not always simple, as there are many factors that must be considered. However, understanding some of the basics can help give you a better idea of what to expect. Here's what you need to know.

What Damages Can Be Recovered in a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?

There are two primary categories of damages that can be recovered in a personal injury lawsuit: economic damages and noneconomic damages. The most common types of economic damages consist of medical bills, lost income, and damage to your personal property. Noneconomic damages consist of pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life. In some cases, punitive damages may also be awarded.

What Factors Are Used to Determine the Value of a Slip and Fall Case?

There are many factors that must be considered when valuing a slip and fall case. Some of the most important include the following:

•    The severity of the injuries suffered
•    Whether the injuries are temporary or permanent
•    The amount of economic damages suffered
•    The amount of noneconomic damages suffered
•    The strength of proving liability
•    The jurisdiction in which the case will be tried

All cases are unique and are valued differently. An experienced lawyer can help you determine what you may be entitled to.

What Is the Deadline to File a Lawsuit?

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be wondering if you have missed your chance to file a lawsuit. The answer to this question depends on the state in which the accident occurred and the specific details of your case.

What Is the Statute of Limitations?

The statute of limitations is the deadline by which an injured party must file a lawsuit. Once the statute of limitations has passed, an injured party will no longer be able to pursue legal action.

The purpose of the statute of limitations is to ensure that lawsuits are filed in a timely manner. This allows witnesses to be located and interviewed while their memories are still fresh, and it ensures that evidence has not been lost or destroyed over time.

However, the statute of limitations can be a complicated legal concept, and there are always exceptions that can extend or shorten the deadline.

When Does the Statute of Limitations Begin?

In most states, the statute of limitations for a slip and fall accident will begin on the date of the accident. However, there are some exceptions to this rule. For example, if an injured party was not immediately aware of the injuries they sustained in an accident, the statute of limitations may not begin until they discover those injuries.

In some states, the statute of limitations may also be “tolled” or paused in other circumstances as well. For example, if an injured party is under the age of 18 at the time of their accident, the statute of limitations may not begin until they reach adulthood.

Most states have a two-year statute of limitations for personal injury cases, but there are some states with shorter or longer deadlines. It’s usually between one year and four years.

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, it is important to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney as soon as possible to determine whether your state’s statute of limitations has expired or if any exceptions may apply to your case. An experienced attorney can help you navigate these complex legal concepts and protect your rights so that you can focus on recovery.

Contact Morgan & Morgan Today for Help

If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident, you may be wondering whether you have a case. An experienced personal injury lawyer will be able to evaluate your situation and give you an honest assessment of whether you have a claim worth pursuing.

Morgan & Morgan has been handling Safeway slip and fall cases for years and can help you receive the compensation you deserve. As the largest personal injury firm in America, we can help you no matter where you’re located. Contact Morgan & Morgan today to schedule a free consultation.