When you are shopping at a Georgia Whole Foods Market you are probably focused on picking up the items on your grocery list. You are not thinking about watching your step to avoid a slip and fall accident; however, slip and fall accidents can and do happen at Whole Foods Markets.
If Whole Foods store management and employees are not vigilant in keeping you safe while on their premises, you could slip and fall and be seriously injured.
If you are injured, call the Whole Foods slip and fall accident and injury lawyers at John Foy & Associates. Our staff is available to answer your call day or night. Call (404) 400-4000 to ask about a no-obligation consultation with one of our slip and fall attorneys.
About Whole Foods
Whole Foods Markets carry a wide variety of natural and organic food and boast the trademark, “America’s Healthiest Grocery Store.”
The store that would become Whole Foods Market opened its doors as SaferWay in Austin, TX in 1978. Over the next couple of decades, the company expanded nationally, opening new stores and acquiring other natural food chains in large metropolitan areas. In 2001, Whole Foods acquired Harry’s Farmer’s Market stores in the Atlanta area.
Following more growth and mergers, Whole Foods Market was purchased in 2017 by the online retail giant Amazon for $13.7 billion.
With more than 500 stores in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, many health-conscious shoppers choose Whole Foods for their family’s grocery needs.
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Whole Foods Slip and Fall Hazards
Dangers that could lead to a Whole Foods slip and fall accident could include:
- Deli counter and dining area – Food or drink dropped in the deli counter and dining area could result in a tripping hazard.
- Damaged merchandise containers – Bottled drinks, lotions, detergents or grocery items could be spilled onto the floor from damaged containers, creating a slick spot on the floor.
- Public restrooms and drinking fountains -Wet paper towels dropped on the floor or plumbing issues problems in a Whole Foods restroom or drinking fountain could create a slippery floor.
- Malfunctioning coolers or freezers — To store refrigerated and frozen merchandise, each Whole Foods location employs several coolers and freezers. If this equipment malfunctions, there could be standing water in the grocery aisles.
- Recently mopped floors — Tiled floors can be dangerously slippery when wet. Safety signs can warn you about wet floors, but Whole Foods employees may neglect to set up these signs after mopping.
- Merchandise stacked in the aisles — Newly arrived merchandise can sometimes be stacked in the aisles waiting to be placed on the shelf causing a tripping hazard.
- Inadequate lighting — Light bulbs should be replaced as soon as they burn out, and if employees do not do so you could trip and Whole Foods Market may be liable for your injuries.
Premises Liability in Georgia
All businesses in Georgia, including Whole Foods Market, have a legal obligation to ensure their premises are safe for shoppers. If dangerous conditions on the property caused you to be injured, you can file a premises liability claim in court seeking damages.
For a premises liability claim to be valid, your slip and fall attorney will need to prove:
- A hazard existed somewhere on the Whole Foods property. This could be in the parking lot, on the sidewalk outside the store, or inside the building.
- A Whole Foods employee was aware of the hazard before you fell but failed to correct the situation.
- You did not know about the hazard on the premises.
- The hazard contributed to your fall.
- Your fall caused your injuries.
Slip and Fall Injuries
Injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident can range from mild discomfort to debilitating pain. If your injuries result in large medical bills, missed work, emotional pain and suffering, or ongoing therapy, you may be eligible for compensation from the Whole Foods Market company.
Some injuries that occur following a slip and fall accident include:
- Back or spinal cord injury
- A broken or sprained wrist
- Knee or ankle injury
- A broken bone, often in the arm or leg
- Brain injury
- Shoulder dislocation
Be Proactive after a Whole Foods Slip and Fall Accident
After a slip and fall incident in a Georgia Whole Foods store, your first consideration should be to tend to your wounds. Call 911 if your injuries are severe. If your slip and fall accident was caused by negligence, there are some actions you can take to preserve your rights:
- Do not sign papers until you or your attorney have read it carefully, and never admit fault.
- Take photographs of the area where you fell as soon as possible, to document the scene accurately before someone removes the hazard.
- Photograph your injuries.
- Report the accident to the Whole Foods shift manager and ask for a copy of the written report.
- Ask bystanders if they saw your fall and if it would be okay for you to reach out to them later to get their statement. Make sure to write down their names and contact information.
- See your doctor so he can treat and document your injuries, even if you feel your injury was minor. Injury symptoms, including neck pain, may intensify over time and could be a sign of a more serious condition.
- Gather documentation of your financial damages, including medical invoices and employer verification of lost wages if you had to miss work.
- Hire a slip and fall lawyer to represent you and to ensure your lawsuit is filed within Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations.
John Foy & Associates Slip and Fall Attorneys
The slip and fall lawyers at John Foy & Associates are committed to getting negligence victims in Georgia the compensation they deserve. Contact us today at (404) 400-4000 for your free no-risk consultation.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
