Many people love Kroger stores for their grocery (and other everyday) needs. However, the Kroger experience begins darker in situations where a slip and fall accident happens. There are various hazards that can lead to injury if the store employees are not careful enough. If you were hurt in a Kroger store in Georgia, it’s best to contact a slip and fall accident and injury lawyer as soon as you can.
For the best chance at full compensation for your costs, call John Foy & Associates. We will give you a FREE consultation and discuss how we can help your case. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started with your FREE consultation now.
What You Should Know About Kroger Stores in Georgia
The Kroger Co. is the largest supermarket chain by revenue and the second-largest general retailer in the United States. It was founded in 1883 in Cincinnati, Ohio, the location of its headquarters. Kroger stores are present in 35 states, including Georgia, and the District of Columbia.
The store formats of Kroger include supermarkets, department stores, convenience stores, superstores, and jewelry stores. Each of these represents their own potential dangers to those to visit and shop at Kroger stores. No matter which Kroger store you were injured in, you may have the right to compensation if the store was at fault.
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How to Prove the Kroger Store Was at Fault for Your Slip and Fall Accident
In Georgia, owners and occupiers of land (such as Kroger stores) have a legal duty to “exercise ordinary care” to prevent injuries. They should do this by keeping their premises safe (Georgia Code section 51-3-1). If the store fails in this duty, it is liable for damages to the injured party.
As a slip and fall accident victim, you will need to file a personal injury claim with the store’s insurance company to seek compensation. To do this, you’ll also need to show that:
- The store had a legal duty to keep their premises safe.
- The store (or, rather, a store employee) was negligent in upholding that duty.
- That negligence led to the slip and fall accident and your injuries.
- Your damages directly result from the store’s negligence and the slip and fall accident.
There are a number of things you will need to do to prove these points. The best thing you can do is contact a Kroger slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia. They can help you gather the right evidence to begin building your case.
Here are some other ways you can gather evidence to prove the store’s fault and your damages.
1. Take Pictures
Right after the slip and fall accident happens, use your phone to snap pictures. Take pictures of the accident scene, any visible injuries or damaged property, and the hazardous or dangerous situation that caused your slip and fall.
2. Report the Accident—But don’t Apologize
Make sure the store knows that your accident happened and that you were injured. Ask an employee to take you to the owner or manager. The store might ask you to file an accident report, which is okay. It will create a record of the accident.
Tell them the basics, but be careful what you say. Don’t apologize or make excuses for what happened. Wait until you have a good slip and fall accident lawyer before trying to argue or defend your situation.
3. Keep Track of Your Damages
Save all records of your medical bills, lost wages, and other ways the accident has affected you. This will help show your losses from your slip and fall injuries. Your lawyer can make you obtain any evidence of the accident or your damages, such as video surveillance footage at the store, that are harder to get on your own.
4. See a Doctor
Get your injuries checked out as soon as possible after you leave the scene. If your injuries are life-threatening, call for emergency medical treatment.
Seeing a doctor will ensure your injuries don’t worsen. It will also demonstrate to the insurance company that your injuries are serious enough to require treatment.
5. Contact an Experienced Slip and Fall Accident Lawyer
Most lawyers will say they take on slip and fall accident cases. However, you will want a professional who focuses on these types of cases. They will also need to have the experience and knowledge required for cases against stores like Kroger.
Schedule a consultation with a Kroger slip and fall accident and injury lawyer in Georgia who can begin helping you with your case immediately. They will know how to show that the show was negligent in your accident.
Kroger’s Insurance Company Will Make Your Claim Difficult
Filing a personal injury claim after a slip and fall accident is a complicated process. But the hardest part is trying to get the insurance company to agree to a settlement that is actually fair. Insurance companies do not like to pay out much on personal injury claims, so they will look for ways to undermine or undervalue your case.
After your accident happens, an insurance adjuster will try reaching out to you. They may seem nice and even concerned about how you’re doing. Don’t be fooled. Ultimately, they are on the side of the insurance company and do not have your best interests in mind.
Some of the ways Kroger’s insurance company may make your case difficult include:
- Taking a long time to respond to your claim.
- Denying your claim altogether, even if you were not at fault.
- Calling you and asking how you’re doing, then using anything you say against you.
- Trying to say your injuries were from a pre-existing condition or happened before the accident.
To protect yourself from the insurance company’s tactics, get a lawyer on your side as soon as possible. From then on, all communication with the insurance company can go through your attorney.
Talk to a Kroger Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer in Georgia for Free
John Foy & Associates can help you seek the full compensation possible after a slip and fall accident injury. We can assist you in building a strong claim that demonstrates the store’s negligence and your resulting damages.
Call us at (404) 400-4000 for a FREE consultation to discuss your case and how we can help today.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form