To get compensation for slip and falls in Vegas grocery stores, buffets, and restaurants, you must prove that the business is liable for your injuries. Examples of proof in Las Vegas include photos and videos showing spilled liquids, witness statements about grease-covered floors, and medical records indicating the severity of injuries. Establishing liability is important as it insures you aren’t held financially responsible for your injuries.
Las Vegas slip and fall lawyers can help you with compensation. Call George Bochanis Injury Law Offices at (702) 388-2005 for next steps.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Vegas Grocery Stores and Restaurants
About 40 million people visit the Vegas area each year, and nearly 679,000 people live there. Businesses do not always take the precautions they should to keep customers safe, especially in this city where constant foot traffic meets long operating hours.
The reality is, most slip and fall accidents are preventable. Business owners and property managers need to ensure a safe environment. Nevada’s premises liability laws may hold them responsible when they fail to meet that duty.
Spilled Liquids
Drinks, cleaning fluids, and broken containers all can lead to slip and falls in grocery stores. Meanwhile, spills at restaurant drink machines and soup stations can be hazardous.
Greasy or Food-Covered Floors
Grease and food residue throughout the day are a fact of life at restaurants. If these slick substances do not undergo prompt cleanup, they can cause diners to lose their footing suddenly.
Bad Lighting
Dim or flickering lights can keep patrons from seeing steps, changes in flooring, debris, and other hazards.
Uneven Surfaces
Older Vegas properties are especially likely to have cracked tiles, buckled mats, or poorly maintained floors. However, even new properties can feature these deficiencies. A business may overlook them until someone becomes seriously hurt.
Lack of Warning Signs
Mopping and cleaning floors help keep a restaurant, buffet, or grocery store sanitary. However, staff should put out visible caution signs to protect people.
Clutter and Obstacles
Stacked boxes or stock carts in grocery aisles can create tripping hazards. So can misplaced chairs in restaurants, especially in crowded areas.
Evidence You Need to Prove Liability in a Slip and Fall Case
The burden of proving liability for slip and falls in grocery stores is on you. There is not an automatic assumption that the business is responsible.
Fortunately, common types of evidence can support your case if you slip and fall in a store or restaurant. The success of your claim often depends on how strong your proof is. Keep this evidence safe and organized.
Photos and Videos of the Scene
Get pictures and videos of the scene right after you fall. Capture the condition of the floor, lighting, any spills, and the lack of warning signs. If hazards disappear before you are able to document them, your claim becomes harder to prove.
Incident Report
Ask a store or restaurant manager to create a formal incident report. Get a copy for your records. Make sure the report includes the time, location, and a description of what happened.
Witness Statements
Survey the scene for people who saw the slip and fall in Vegas or the conditions leading up to it. Get their contact information and ask for a brief written or recorded statement if possible.
Medical Records
Get medical attention immediately after slip and falls in grocery stores, even if you think the injury is minor. Your slip and fall injuries may get worse over time. Medical records establish a timeline and link your injuries to the slip and fall.
Surveillance Footage
Footage can be one of the most decisive pieces of evidence. Fortunately, many grocery stores and restaurants have surveillance systems. A Las Vegas slip and fall lawyer can request this footage before the businesses erase or overwrite it.
Maintenance Logs and Cleaning Schedules
A personal injury attorney may subpoena cleaning logs to show whether property owners neglected their duties. For example, if there were no inspections performed in the hours before your fall, that could prove negligence.
History of Prior Complaints
Similar accidents in the same location may show a pattern of the business disregarding safety.
Why You Need a Lawyer After a Slip and Fall in a Restaurant or Grocery Store in Las Vegas
What should you do if you slip and fall in a store? One step is to speak with a lawyer. Businesses and their insurance companies are not likely to admit fault willingly. They might blame you for not paying attention or argue that the danger was “open and obvious.”
A slip and fall attorney can investigate your case, for example, getting surveillance footage, interviewing witnesses, and working with safety experts. Attorneys also can identify all liable parties, since a cleaning company, property manager, or third-party vendor may share responsibility for unsafe conditions.
Meanwhile, you may be entitled to compensation for lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, emotional distress, loss of earning capacity, and other damages. A personal injury attorney quantifies your losses, so you do not settle for less than your claim is worth.
Insurance companies often try to pressure people into settling quickly. Lawyers can protect your best interests, handling all communications and negotiations on your behalf. If insurance negotiations fail, lawyers can prepare for trial.
The statute of limitations for most slip and fall cases is two years from the date of the injury. Missing that deadline can bar you from recovering anything. Attorneys work to file documents correctly and on time. They can protect you from legal traps, such as giving recorded statements to the other party’s insurer that the insurer may use against you later. Find out more about your case. Contact us today at George Bochanis Injury Law Offices.
