Slip and fall accidents can happen at any time in Food Lion stores. Grocery stores pose a surprising number of risks to customers who shop there, so employees must be diligent to keep the premises safe. If they do not honor that duty and you’re injured, it’s time to contact a Food Lion slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia.
Our lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help you file a claim against Food Lion for the compensation you deserve. A slip and fall can leave you with huge medical bills, many lost wages, and more. You should not have to pay for these costs if the store was negligent. Contact us today to get started with a FREE consultation at (404) 400-4000.
What to Know About Food Lion Stores in Georgia
Food Lion is a grocery store founded in 1957 in Salisbury, North Carolina. They have over 1,000 store locations, including in Dawsonville, Augusta, and Savannah throughout Georgia. Food Lion is known for their low prices and fresh produce. However, that doesn’t mean the store is immune to negligence.
If you were injured in a slip and fall or other types of accidents at Food Lion, the store may be liable for your damages.
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How to Know If the Food Lion Store Is Responsible for Your Slip and Fall Accident
Even if the store was definitely negligent in your accident, the burden is on you, as the injured individual, to file a claim. You’ll also need to prove that:
- A dangerous condition existed.
- The store either knew about the dangerous condition or should have known about it.
- The store did not fix or clean up the dangerous condition.
- You were hurt because of that dangerous condition.
Under Georgia Code § 51-3-1, businesses like Food Lion in Georgia have a duty to maintain safe premises for customers. That includes making sure there are no hazards that could lead to injuries within the store. If the store’s manager or employees fail to exercise ordinary care in keeping the area safe, they can be found liable.
Bear in mind that the store will likely fight your claim. They might try to blame you for what happened in an effort to reduce their own liability, but don’t let that deter you from the truth. Contact a Food Lion slip and fall accident an injury lawyer who can help you demonstrate the above points and seek compensation for the damages you suffered.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall Accident at a Food Lion in Georgia
You will need to protect your legal rights after a slip and fall accident at Food Lion. You can begin doing that by gathering information about the store’s negligence and your damages. The most significant thing you can do is contact a slip and fall accident lawyer as soon as possible, but the following steps will also help a lot.
Document the Accident Scene
Take pictures of:
- The entire accident scene
- The dangerous condition or hazard that caused your slip and fall accident
- Your injuries
- Anything else you think can help show what happened
Talk to Witnesses
In large, open stores like Food Lion, it’s likely that other people were around to see your fall—or at least to see the hazard that caused the fall.
Witness statements can be really powerful in a slip and fall claim, so talk to them if you can. Ask them about what they saw and get their names and contact information. Your lawyer will want to reach out to them later for statements.
Report the Accident
Have a store employee take you to a manager. Tell the manager that you slipped, fell, and were injured in the store. You might also need to fill out an incident report.
Be polite, but don’t admit any blame, apologize, or say something like, “I was just being clumsy!” These types of statements could be used against you later.
You’ll also want to get the manager’s name and contact information in case your lawyer needs to reach out to them.
Understand What Caused Your Fall
Make sure you can fully identify the hazardous condition that caused your injury accident. Common slip and fall hazards in grocery stores like Food Lion can include:
- Busted products
- Spilled food or beverages
- Mopping
- Rain, ice, or melted snow from customers’ shoes
- Uneven pavement or flooring
- Merchandise left out in the aisles
Once you know what caused your accident, you and your lawyer can determine how the store was negligent in relation to the hazard.
Get Medical Treatment
After you have documented the scene and left the store, see a doctor as soon as you can. If you wait too long, you won’t have accurate documentation of how bad your injury was after the slip and fall. Plus, the insurance company can use the delay in seeking treatment to say you weren’t hurt as badly as you’re claiming.
Seeing a doctor will also give you an idea of what treatment you need, how long it will take, and the costs you’re facing. This will help you and your lawyer put a value on the compensation you need.
Keep Track of Your Expenses
Common damages in slip and fall accident cases include:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
You’ll need to keep track of all the costs and losses you experienced because of the accident. Before you can file your claim, you need to know how much your total damages are going to be. Documenting all bills and receipts will help you calculate the most accurate number.
Talk to a Food Lion Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer in Georgia for Free Today
A slip and fall accident case can be lengthy, complicated, and frustrating. Thankfully, you don’t need to handle it alone. John Foy & Associates has 20 plus years of experience helping injury victims win the compensation they need to cover their costs and move past the accident.
We can help you risk-free because we don’t take a fee unless we win you money. To get started with a FREE consultation today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form