The first Wendy’s restaurant was opened in 1969 in Columbus, Ohio. From the beginning, Wendy’s was known for its square, never-frozen beef patties, and the chocolate Frosty dessert. Wendy’s is now an American staple, with more than 6,700 stores throughout the United States and 287 stores in Georgia alone.
Wendy’s restaurants serve thousands of customers regularly. Its employees have a duty of care to make sure the premises of its restaurants are safe for customers, from the parking lot and drive-through to the service counter and dining areas inside the store. If Wendy’s employees fail to address a problem or warn you about a hazard, you may become injured in a slip and fall accident.
A slip and fall injury can cause severe pain and suffering, lost wages, and high medical expenses. You will not have to go through life in pain or struggle to pay your medical bills if you can prove that Wendy’s was responsible for your slip and fall accident. Call the slip and fall accident and injury lawyers at John Foy & Associates to review your case.
Every one of our 130 employees and support staff at John Foy & Associates is dedicated to helping injured negligence victims. If you were involved in a slip and fall accident in a Georgia Wendy’s restaurant, reach out to us now at (404) 400-4000 to schedule your free no-obligation consultation. We will visit you at your home or business, anytime, day or night to help you.
Causes of a Wendy’s Slip and Fall
The hectic pace of a fast-food restaurant, especially if it is a popular establishment crowded with customers, can contribute to a dangerous situation. Employees may be too busy to take the time to clean up spills or place safety signs warning customers of potential hazards.
The following are potential hazards you may find in a Georgia Wendy’s restaurant:
- Wet floors on rainy days -The floors of many Wendy’s are made of tile, which can become dangerously slippery when wet. A steady stream of customers coming in on rainy days will track water onto the floors, especially in the entryway and high-traffic areas.
- Freshly mopped floors – Even on sunny days, Wendy’s floors can become wet and slippery after being cleaned. Employees should place safety signs to warn you to watch your step after floors are mopped.
- Spilled soda, food or wrappers – Unsuspecting customers could easily lose their footing on food, soda, or paper wrappers that are accidentally dropped onto the floor.
- Burned out light bulbs – The occasional burned-out light bulb is unavoidable in any business, but if not replaced promptly this can cause hazardously dim lighting in some areas of the restaurant or parking lot.
- Uneven pavement – Poorly maintained sidewalks and parking lots can develop cracks and uneven surfaces that become a tripping hazard.
- Dangerous chairs or booths – If seats in the dining area are poorly maintained or installed, they could tip over unexpectedly.
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What to Do If You Slip and Fall
When you slip and fall in a Georgia Wendy’s restaurant, you should first assess your injuries and call 911 if you need emergency medical attention. There are additional steps you can take immediately after your accident to document what happened and bolster your court case:
- Check the area for security cameras and ask for a copy of the video footage of the incident.
- Take photographs of the area where you fell, including any hazards that contributed to your fall. It’s important to do this quickly before the scene is altered or hazards are removed.
- Take pictures of any visible bodily injuries.
- File an incident report with the Wendy’s shift manager and ask for a copy of the written report.
- Talk to witnesses and ask for their written or recorded statement about the accident. Make sure to ask for contact information so you or your attorneys can reach out to them again if necessary.
- Go to the emergency room or your doctor’s office after the accident, even if your injuries were not severe enough to call 911.
It is important never to admit fault in the accident, and do not sign anything given to you by Wendy’s management, or its representatives until you or your attorney have been able to review it thoroughly. Because of Georgia’s comparative negligence laws, your award could be reduced or even eliminated if Wendy’s can show that you bear some fault for your slip and fall accident.
Georgia Comparative Negligence Laws
In Georgia, personal injury lawsuits are subject to the “modified comparative negligence” rule. This means that if the court finds you partially responsible for your injury, your damage award will be reduced accordingly. If your responsibility is proven to be 50% or more, you will not receive damages as compensation for your injuries.
These rules only go into effect when your lawsuit goes to trial. The comparative negligence rules do not apply to settlement offers made outside of court. If Wendy’s attorneys think they can prove at trial that at large portion of the fault lies with you they may not offer a settlement, or it could be for a lower amount. An experienced slip and fall accident and injury lawyer can explain this to you.
Contact John Foy & Associates Today
Call John Foy & Associates if you have been injured in a slip and fall accident at a Georgia Wendy’s restaurant. Let us put our experience and our Strong Arm approach to work negotiating the compensation you deserve. There is no risk to you because we collect no fees upfront and only get paid when we win your case. Call us today at (404) 400-4000.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form