There is nothing better than relaxing in a nice restaurant with excellent food and service after a hard day’s work. However, what if your night ends in the hospital due to a wet floor or broken stairs? You should not have to pay for a restaurant owner’s mistake. Restaurant operators are responsible for providing a reasonably safe environment for guests.
If you got hurt due to a hazardous condition at the restaurant, you could sue a restaurant for your injury and recover damages such as wage loss, medical expenses, pain and anguish, and more. Our experienced restaurant injury lawyers can walk you through your options, identify your next best steps, and fight for the restaurant injury settlement you deserve. Contact Morgan & Morgan now for a free and confidential case evaluation to learn about your legal rights.
Causes for Accidents in Restaurants
One of the most common accidents in restaurants can be slips and falls due to unclean or unsafe floor surfaces. Patrons of busy restaurants with staff rushing around can be particularly prone to slipping or tripping and falling on spillages, water, or ice on the floor. Common causes of falls in restaurants include:
- Spilled beverages and food on the floor
- Hazards in restrooms
- Uneven flooring
- Extension cords or electrical wires
- Missing handrails
- Bad lighting
- Potholes in the sidewalk or parking lot
However, slips and falls are not the only way to get hurt in a restaurant. In establishments that lack proper food hygiene and storage, patrons could be at risk of contracting food-borne bacteria and illnesses, such as food poisoning. Reasons for food poisoning can include:
- Improperly handled food
- Contact with toxic substances
- Unsafe or polluted drinking water
- Improperly stored food
- Insect pests and animal droppings
The potential for accidents and injuries in restaurants is endless. Whether you were scalded by hot liquids, slipped and fell, or suffered food poisoning, you could be entitled to damages. Regardless of the nature of your injury, consider speaking to our experienced personal injury attorneys to clarify your options. You could be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses and other losses.
Common Injuries in Restaurants
A severe fall can lead to permanent injuries and even death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), falls can be particularly risky for older adults who may have to give up living independently after a severe injury. Significant injuries in restaurant slips and falls can include:
- Damage to the neck and spine
- Head and brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Musculoskeletal injuries
While complications from food-borne bacteria and diseases are relatively rare, they can impact some individuals severely and cause various problems, including:
- Arthritis (salmonella and campylobacter)
- Kidney damage and kidney failure (E.coli)
- Stillbirth and miscarriage (Listeria)
- Meningitis
Moreover, older or chronically ill individuals could suffer devastating consequences and even die from food-borne illnesses. Figures from the CDC show that Norovirus, the leading cause of food-borne disease in the US, causes 900 deaths each year, mainly in the 65 and over age group.
Injuries from falls can come with astronomical medical and care bills, particularly if the victim is permanently disabled and needs round-the-clock care. If you or a loved one suffered harm due to a restaurant’s carelessness, you could be entitled to a restaurant injury settlement.
Your Next Best Steps After a Restaurant Injury
Acting promptly can be critical for protecting your rights if you or a loved one was harmed in a restaurant accident. Not all injuries are immediately apparent after a fall. Therefore, seeing a doctor as soon as possible can be an excellent idea even if you only experience minor symptoms. A doctor’s visit will also provide you with a medical report which will be necessary evidence if you have to file an insurance claim or lawsuit. Other best steps after a restaurant accident include:
- Taking pictures of the accident location and your injuries
- Filing an accident report with the restaurant
- Asking witnesses for their contact details and statements
- Collecting evidence of your expenses in connection with the accident
- Calling an injury lawyer to identify your legal options
Taking these critical steps can protect your health and legal rights after a restaurant accident. You could be suing a restaurant for injury and recover the compensation you need to get your life back on track.
Compensation You Could Pursue
If a restaurant owner or operator is responsible for your accident and injury, you could qualify for damages, including:
Medical Expenses
Depending on the severity of your restaurant accident and injury, the medical cost could be considerable and include surgery, medications, specialist appointments, diagnostic tests, physical therapy, and other expenses. You could seek reimbursement for all your medical costs, including an amount for future expected medical expenses.
Lost Wages
A traumatic brain injury, fracture, or another significant injury could take weeks or even months to heal. If you miss work due to a restaurant injury, you could qualify for lost wages, and future lost earning capacity.
Pain and Suffering
Serious injuries can be physically and mentally debilitating. If you experienced a significant or even life-changing restaurant injury, you could be entitled to considerable non-economic damages, such as:
- Physical pain and anguish
- Emotional distress
- Permanent disability
- Inconvenience
- Reduced life quality
Compensation will vary from one restaurant injury case to another, and you could be entitled to other and additional damages in your specific case.