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Slip and fall injuries, tripping injuries, equipment-related injuries, and shopping cart injuries are the four most common and surprising supermarket injuries. Supermarket accidents that end up hurting shoppers occur for a variety of reasons. The most frequently occurring, however, are a result of negligent actions of the management and staff members.
Failing to follow the established health and safety protocols increase the risk of serious supermarket injuries happening. Anyone injured in a supermarket because of the management’s or staff members’ negligence has the right to pursue monetary compensation.
Surprising Supermarket Injuries
Slip and Fall Injuries
Shoppers are highly likely to slip and fall in a supermarket due to the high risk of food or drink spills inside the premises. A shopper can accidentally drop a heap of tomatoes, spill a drink on the floor, and create a slipping hazard. Anyone who sustains serious slip and fall injuries, including concussions and broken bones, can make an injury claim against the supermarket if:
- The management failed to take reasonable steps to fix the slipping hazard;
- The management failed to put up signs cautioning the shoppers about the slipping hazard;
- The management knew or should have known about the slipping hazard but failed to take reasonable measures to resolve it;
- The slipping hazard directly contributed to the shopper’s injuries.
Slips and falls can also happen inside and outside the supermarket, especially when it rains and shoppers bring moisture into the compound. A slip and fall accident attorney can help an injured shopper obtain maximum compensation by gathering enough evidence to demonstrate the supermarket was legally responsible for his or her injuries.
Tripping Injuries
Supermarket staff members spend a better part of their day restocking shelves. Even during regular hours, it’s not uncommon to see aisles lined with bulky items and boxes of all sizes. While supermarkets don’t need to place signs cautioning shoppers of tripping hazards, they should try their level best to ensure their aisles are clear at all times.
If staff members cause tripping hazards by carelessly placing boxes and bulky items on shoppers’ way, the supermarket may be responsible for the tripping accident and resultant injuries. The supermarket may also be liable if it lacks any policies to protect shoppers from tripping injuries.
Equipment-Related Injuries
Big supermarkets often use heavy equipment to place bulky items and boxes on high shelves. This activity sometimes happens during regular hours when shoppers are in the supermarket. If a staff operated heavy equipment recklessly or lacked adequate training to operate the equipment, a shopper can make an injury claim against the supermarket.
Shopping Cart Injuries
Lacerations are the most common injuries caused by shopping carts in supermarkets. Shopping carts may, however, also cause contusions and broken bones. A shopper injured by a faulty or inadequately maintained shopping cart inside a supermarket can file a premises liability lawsuit against that supermarket.
A person who suffers any injuries in a supermarket accident stands a better chance at recovering reasonable compensation when he or she works with a competent attorney. If possible, the injured party should document the accident scene, write down crucial contact details about any witnesses, notify the management about the accident, and see a doctor immediately.