Every household needs a grocery run from time to time to keep the cupboards full and the fridge stocked. At the Trader Joe’s of Louisville you can get the basics like milk and eggs and many of Joe’s specialties. Shoppers can’t get enough of the cookie butter and the Mandarin Orange Chicken.
While you’re checking out those unique items at the Shelbyville Road location you may not take the time to notice your surroundings. Trader Joe’s usually have spacious, spick-and-span aisles, but it only takes one clumsy customer to spill coffee, or drop candy. And if you don’t spot those messes and step unaware into a hazard, you can end up on those hard floors and at risk of getting seriously hurt.
Help for Kentucky Trader Joe’s Slip-And-Fall Victims
Store owners and operators owe their customers more than just great prices. Under the legal concept of “premises liability,” all property owners must show their customers a “duty of care.” That means they’re responsible for providing a safe trip into their stores for every visitor they invite in. If they don’t remove obstacles and hazards in a reasonable amount of time they can be liable for anyone who gets hurt.
If you are hurt in a slip-and-fall or a trip-and-fall at a Trader Joe’s you could have to face off against a nationwide corporation just to get basic help with your hospital bills. In these cases, grocery chains will have their own lawyers working to get you to simply go away and drop your claim against them. It’s a wise move to have someone on your side working to protect your right to compensation.
Victims In Louisville or anywhere in Kentucky can contact the attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger PLLC for a free, no-obligation evaluation of their case. We will listen as you tell us what happened and then help you determine your best course of action to get your physical and financial needs met.
Louisville Slip-And-Fall Dangers At Trader Joe’s
Premises Liability for a supermarket like Trader Joe’s starts the moment you enter their parking lot. They are responsible for things like clearing ice and snow, keeping landscaping from becoming a hazard, and even fixing potholes that could send you tripping.
The protection should extend inside where the most common slip-and-fall hazards can lie in wait for unsuspecting customers.
Here are just a few of the hazards seen the most often:
- Liquids Everywhere! – If customers can pick up a product, they can also drop it. Beverages, ice cream, and oozing toothpaste can all send someone to the ground. Bathrooms and produce sections can also be made hazardous by water pooling on the floor.
- Aisle Obstacles – Trader Joe’s stockers can leave boxes in aisles. They can be small enough to miss as you shop, but be big enough to catch your foot. Displays and bins can also be in your way. Any debris on the floor, even an onion skin, can send you into a fall and potentially leave you landing face first.
- Weather Hazards – Bad weather can be tracked indoors in a hurry. The entrance can become as slick as glass. Wet Floor Caution Signs should always be out to warn shoppers. Floor mats meant to keep floors safer can create even more danger when they roll up, or the corners fold up to create a hazard.
Frequently Asked Questions
What evidence do I need in a slip-and-fall case?
If you are physically able, you should take a photo or video of the obstacle that caused your fall as soon after an accident as you can. The manager will be filling out a report on your accident. You or your attorney will need that document later as evidence. Witnesses, including store employees that don’t mind helping, can provide strong evidence. If you have a store receipt from your visit to Trader Joe’s that day, keep it. Every medical record and invoice you receive should be saved. Your paystubs and a record of your missed time at work due to your injury will also be valuable evidence.
Should I get statements from witnesses after a fall?
If witnesses are willing to cooperate, get their contact information. If they tell you what they saw, make a note of what they told you. If they would rather write down their viewpoint on paper ask them to sign and date it. You can also record their statement on your phone if they are okay with it. If you don’t get a full report your attorney can contact them later for clarification.
How long do I have to file an injury claim in Louisville?
One year. Kentucky allows victims up to one year to file a civil lawsuit over an injury. This is not a long time. Many states allow victims to wait up to two or three years to file, so Kentucky is on the short end when it comes to the statute of limitations. So it’s vital that you collect evidence and documents and file a claim as soon as you are ready. An attorney can help you gather these details and get a claim into Trader Joe’s corporate offices as soon as possible.
Contact a Louisville Slip-And-Fall Attorney
If you take a serious fall at a Trader Joe’s and you’re worried about your bills piling up, talk to a Louisville Slip-And-Fall Attorney you can trust to be on your side and fight for your fair compensation. The attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, have that knowledge and a combined 100 years’ experience in helping clients get the compensation they’ll need to make a full recovery. To discuss your case, contact Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC today, by clicking here to contact them online.
