What Should I Do If I Slip and Fall at a Georgia Grocery Store?

When you head to the grocery store, the last thing you expect is to take a tumble in the aisles. However, grocery stores can be full of hazards, from spilled produce to wet floors that employees have neglected to block off with warning signs. In a split second, you could fall and end up with a concussion, broken bones, or worse.

The aftermath of a slip-and-fall accident can be a confusing time. Below, a Georgia slip-and-fall attorney shares what to do.

File an Accident Report

Many people skip filing an accident report after a fall in a grocery store simply because they’re embarrassed. Dozens of people just saw them fall on the floor, and all they want is to gather their groceries and leave as soon as possible.

But failing to report the accident to management can be a mistake. Without that report, the store owner has no way to know you’ve suffered a fall, and you have no proof. 

It’s possible the store’s cameras caught the incident on tape, but many stores periodically erase the footage if they have no reason to keep it. By reporting the place and time of your fall to the manager, they can pull up the relevant footage. If you don’t do this, the owner can say they have no record of your fall, which means the store’s insurance company will deny your claim.

Take Photos of the Scene

Taking pictures of the accident scene is very important after you’ve fallen in a grocery store. This is because as soon as you report that you’ve fallen, employees will likely hurry to clean whatever caused you to slip. The manager could then say it was your fault, not the store’s.

To avoid this, you must gather evidence. Take photos of whatever caused you to fall, whether that’s an onion peel in the produce department, a busted jar of pasta sauce, or a split bag of frozen vegetables. Such evidence will come in handy when consulting with a Georgia slip-and-fall attorney.

Talk to Witnesses

When you fall in a store, there’s a good chance at least one person saw you hit the ground. Maybe someone even helped you back on your feet. Such people make great witnesses in a slip-and-fall case.

Ask any witnesses what they saw and collect their contact information. Doing this yourself is important because you can’t rely on the manager to do it for you. They might promise to speak to witnesses on your behalf, but many never follow through.

See a Doctor

Right after an accident, you might feel shaken but not otherwise hurt. You might decide you don’t need to see a doctor, but you should make an appointment anyway.

Often, victims wake up the day after an accident in serious pain. You could be more injured than you first thought, and the longer you delay treatment, the longer it will take for your injuries to heal.

Call an Experienced Slip-and-Fall Attorney in Atlanta

An attorney familiar with Georgia law can tell you whether you have a case against a store owner. To prove negligence for slip-and-fall accidents, your attorney must establish these elements:

• The owner knew about a dangerous condition (or should have known about it).
• They failed to fix the hazard or warn you about it.
• Because of their negligence, you fell in the store.
• Your fall led to damages, such as medical bills, that the court can compensate you for.

If you’d like to talk with a Georgia slip-and-fall attorney, call The Foster Firm now at 404.955.8910. Your first consultation is free.