Some grocery store injuries come from larger maintenance problems, such as:
- Torn floor mats
- Loose handrails
- Cracked pavement in the parking lot
- Poor lighting
- Shelves that are not secured properly
These problems can build up over time and create unsafe conditions for customers.
For example, you might trip on a curled entry mat that employees see every day, or fall in a dim parking lot because a light has been out for weeks. In cases like these, the question is often whether the store should have found and fixed the problem during normal inspections. When a store ignores basic maintenance, shoppers can get hurt.
Third-Party Vendors and Unsafe Property Conditions
Sometimes the store may argue that a landlord, maintenance company, refrigeration vendor or other outside contractor was supposed to handle the repair. However, that won’t automatically end your claim against the store.
In some states, businesses can still be held responsible for unsafe property conditions even when the store assigned maintenance work to a third party. A store may also be liable for its own negligence in choosing, instructing or supervising that contractor.
4. When Inadequate Security Contributed To Your Injury
If you were assaulted in a parking lot or hurt during a fight inside the building, you may be able to sue the grocery store. If those in charge knew or should have known about a safety risk and didn’t take reasonable steps to help protect shoppers, the business may be responsible for your injuries.
That may sound broad, but poor security often comes down to basic safety problems that were ignored. Examples of inadequate security that may be a sign of negligence include:
- Poor lighting in the parking lot, near entrances or along walkways
- Broken or missing security cameras
- No security guard or staff presence in an area with a history of fights, theft or assaults
- Broken locks, gates or doors that made the property less secure
- Failure to respond to prior complaints or earlier incidents involving customer safety
A grocery store injury lawyer can review your case and help you understand whether you may have a claim. They may look at security video, store reports, witness statements and past complaints to see whether the grocery store ignored a safety problem.
5. When Defective Store Equipment Caused Your Injury
You may be able to sue a grocery store if its faulty equipment or damaged property caused your injury. Examples of this may include:
An automatic door closes too fast, causing it to hit you or trap part of your body as you walk through
- A shopping cart with a broken wheel tips, jerks or pulls you off balance
- A loose or unstable shelf falls or drops heavy items onto you
- A broken freezer or refrigerator leaks water onto the floor and creates a slipping hazard
- A damaged display rack collapses when you walk by or reach for an item
These cases often come down to whether the grocery store took reasonable steps to inspect, maintain and repair the equipment shoppers use every day.
When Are You Responsible for Your Grocery Store Injuries?
