Indianapolis Supermarket Injury Lawyer

People typically visit the grocery store on a weekly basis. As such, a trip to a supermarket is not something we often associate with danger.

However, for many people, a routine shopping trip can become a nightmare when they sustain an injury. If this happens to you or someone you love, our trusted premises liability attorneys can help you get through it. An Indianapolis supermarket injury lawyer can help you recover damages relating to the accident, including any medical expenses you might have incurred because of the incident.

Common Supermarket Injuries

Supermarkets often hide dangers most people never consider, from slippery floors to falling objects, and sharp edges. Unfortunately, failing to properly disclose these dangers can result in extreme pain and suffering when unexpected injuries occur. The most common injury is a slip and fall, where a wet floor causes a person to fall to the ground. This can cause the following injuries:

• Head or neck trauma
• Cuts or bruises
• Scraped knees or hands
• Broken legs or arms
• Sprains and strains
• Spinal trauma

Depending on the severity of the fall, the injuries could be potentially fatal or cause lasting pain.

Why Supermarket Injuries Occur

A variety of circumstances can cause injuries in Indianapolis supermarkets. Most come in the form of:

• Leaks from refrigerator cases, bathroom fixtures, air conditioner vents, fresh or frozen food areas, or the roof
• Sharp edges on damaged shopping carts or shelves
• Uneven surfaces on sidewalks, flooring, pavement, etc.
• Entrance/exit areas caused by malfunctioning automatic doors, missing or bunched up floor mats
• Food spills from liquid, fallen food displays, or ignored fresh fruit
• Parking lot issues caused by potholes, being hit by a vehicle or shopping carts, or exposed rebar

Accidents on supermarket property can stem from a number of issues and can happen to anyone. No matter how significant the injury is, knowing what to do afterward is essential for anyone seeking to file a personal injury claim. 

What to Do After a Supermarket Accident

After any accident, it would be wise to consider filing a report. However, it should be noted that a report is not always made to the police if it occurs  on store property. Police are only called if:

• It is the store’s policy
• The accident resulted in a serious injury requiring 911 assistance
• There is a dispute about the cause of the accident, necessitating  an investigation

Whether police are notified of the incident or not, the supermarket manager should create an incident report when a customer is injured on store property. If injured, a shopper should report the accident to the store manager immediately. After this is done, victims should:

• Get copies of the incident report
• Seek medical attention, even if injuries seem minor
• Photograph the injury and the accident scene
• Speak with witnesses
• Seek surveillance videos of the incident
• Get insurance information from the store manager

When reporting the incident, victims should never admit to sharing fault in the incident. Indiana has a comparative negligence law, which means that for a victim to seek compensation, the store owner would need to be at least 50% liable for their injury. The higher the percentage of liability the supermarket has, the greater the compensation value will be.

How to Prove Liability After a Supermarket Accident in Indiana?

To prove liability in a supermarket personal injury claim, the injured party must show:

• Store managers had a duty of care to address hazards.
• They breached this duty by failing to warn of dangers or prevent injuries.
• The store manager’s neglect directly caused the injury.
• The plaintiff incurred damages due to the injury, including medical bills, lost wages, or pain and suffering.

It is crucial to understand that Indiana has a two-year statute of limitations for claims. This means that injured parties must file a claim within two years of the date of their injury, or they may not be able to proceed with a claim.

Call an Indianapolis Supermarket Injury Lawyer When You Need Help

The best time to call a lawyer is as soon as possible after your injury. This will ensure you stay well within the statute of limitations and that evidence is still easy enough to collect.

At McCready Law, we understand the confusion that often follows an accident, especially when a serious injury is involved. Our Indianapolis supermarket injury lawyers are here to help. All you must do is call or visit us online to schedule a consultation.