Hazard in Aisle 5: Slip & Fall Accidents in Supermarkets and Grocery Stores

This week, we covered the tragic story of Billie Padilla, a Long Beach woman who suffered a fatal fall at the Superior Super Warehouse in 2008. The accident, which occurred when Padilla was attempting to pull two stuck shopping carts apart, resulted in a California slip and fall lawsuit and wrongful death lawsuit. Although a judge recently decided the grocery store was not at fault for the accident and injury, the case is still a reminder of the hazards which may be present even at our local stores.

Here are a few examples of common grocery store slip and fall accidents:

• Slipping on a floor because of a spilled product
• Becoming injured by merchandise falling from a shelf or other falling objects
• Becoming injured by a hazardous display
• Tripping on a hazardous piece of flooring or a hazard on the floor
• Falling on a floor wet with rain or melted snow
• Becoming injured due to a hazard in the grocery store parking lot
• Becoming injured by a renovation project or a construction project inside the store
• Becoming injured by a defective or dangerous grocery cart or basket
• Becoming injured by a hazard which is not properly marked as a danger
• Becoming injured by a hazard which had been reported to management but was not addressed

It is important to understand that not all grocery store slip and fall accidents are due to the negligence of the store’s staff or owners. Some accidents are due to the carelessness of the shopper. In order to receive compensation for injuries and other losses, you must prove that your accident could and should have been prevented. If the store knew about the danger to customers and did not address it, or if the store did not take reasonable care to protect its customers, it may be responsible for the accident.

The best way to know for sure whether you may be owed damages in the wake of a grocery store fall accident is to speak with an experienced California premises liability attorney about the details of your case. At Russell & Lazarus, we can help you review the evidence surrounding your accident and understand where the fault may life. To request a free, confidential consultation, call us today at 800-268-9228.