Grocery Store Liability Lawyers

Grocery stores and supermarkets sell food and other products to customers.  Aside from selling illness causing food, a grocery can be liable for personal injuries that occur on its premises. 

What Duties Does a Grocery Store Owner Have?

A grocery store owner must exercise reasonable care to see that the store and the outside of the store are reasonably safe.  The owner must warn visitors of hidden dangers to protect customers from injury.  An owner must guard against hazardous conditions if he has reason to believe they cause injuries.  If he does not, he is negligent.  Some possible injuries that may occur at a store include: 

• Injuries from slipping and falling on liquids on the floor.
• Injuries from goods that fall off displays.
• Injuries from tripping over displays or other objects in the aisles.
• Injuries from accidents with shopping carts.

What Factors Help Show the Store was Negligent?

The following may suggest the store was negligent:

• The store owner knew, or should he have known, about the dangerous condition.
• It was a recurring dangerous condition.
• The store owner did not regularly inspect the store for dangers.
• There was inadequate cleanup performed.
• There was a long time between the creation of the hazard and the accident.
• There is evidence that the substance that caused the fall was on the floor for a long time, such as being dried, sticky, full of shopping cart tracks, and so on.
• There is evidence that employees should have heard a bottle breaking or seen a different colored liquid on the floor.

What Defense Does the Store Have?

The grocery store may not be liable for damages if:

• There was no dangerous condition at the time of the injury.
• The store had no prior knowledge, or could not have known, about the dangerous condition.
• The store took all reasonable steps necessary to protect the customer.
• The condition was so obvious that everyone should know to avoid it.
• The danger created by the store did not cause the customer's injury.
• The injury occurred in a place where customers are not allowed.
• The customer was negligent or assumed a risk.

Should I Contact a Lawyer if I Have Been Injured at a Grocery Store?