Imagine enjoying a delightful meal at your favorite restaurant, only for a simple misstep to send you crashing to the ground. Slip and fall accidents in restaurants are more than just embarrassing; they can result in painful injuries, mounting medical bills, and lasting trauma.

In this blog post, the Michigan slip and fall lawyers at Fieger Law unravel the complex web of liability involved in slip and fall accidents in restaurants, explore the common causes behind these accidents, how liability for the accident is established, and the importance of sound legal representation when seeking compensation for the damages you have suffered.

If you or someone you care about has been injured in a slip and fall accident in Michigan, call Fieger Law today at 1-800-A-WINNER, or fill out our online case submission form to arrange a free, no-obligation consultation with an experienced slip and fall accident lawyer in Michigan. We handle slip and fall cases on a contingency fee basis, meaning you will pay us no fee unless we get you money.

Duty of Care in Restaurant Slip and Fall Cases

In slip and fall accident cases, the concept of “duty of care” takes center stage. In restaurant slip and fall cases, this refers to the legal obligation a restaurant owner has to maintain a reasonably safe environment for patrons. This encompasses a range of measures, from ensuring proper lighting to regular maintenance of floors and walkways.

Restaurant owners have a responsibility to meet this duty of care. They must be vigilant in promptly addressing potential hazards and maintaining a proactive stance in preventing accidents. Regular inspections, timely repairs, and adequate warning signs for wet floors are just a few examples of the ways a restaurant owner can meet this responsibility.

However, the restaurant owner is not the only one with a responsibility. Patrons are also expected to exercise reasonable caution. While a restaurant must provide a safe environment, patrons should be mindful of their surroundings, be careful at all times, and pay attention to obvious dangers and warning signs.

Common Hazards Leading to Slip and Fall Accidents

There are a variety of hazards that can cause a person to be injured in a restaurant. Some common causes of slip and fall accidents in restaurants include:

  • Wet or Slippery Floors

Walkways that are wet from rain and melting snow, and even freshly mopped surfaces can quickly turn a leisurely night out into a perilous endeavor. The onus falls on restaurant staff to promptly address wet and slippery floors, and to use caution signs and appropriate drying methods to prevent accidents.

  • Spills and Leaks

A little spilled water or a bit of condensation leaking from a refrigerator or air conditioning unit may seem innocuous, but they can be very dangerous if not attended to promptly. Vigilance in cleaning and maintenance is vital. Spills and leaks that are left unattended can quickly transition a restaurant from inviting to hazardous.

  • Bad Floors, Cluttered Walkways, and Obstructions

Loose tiles, frayed carpets, or cluttered walkways can trip up even the most careful patrons. Also, uneven surfaces can catch unsuspecting feet, leading to disastrous consequences. What’s more, navigating through crowded aisles and walkways can be a juggling act, especially during busy dining hours.

Establishing Negligence in Restaurant Slip and Fall Cases

To hold a restaurant liable for injuries sustained in a slip and fall accident, it must be demonstrated that the restaurant owner was negligent. This involves proving that the restaurant owner breached the duty of care they owed to you through, for example:

  • Failing to Address Hazards Promptly

Evidence that the restaurant failed to address a spill, leak, or other dangerous condition in a timely manner could be enough to establish negligence.

  • Negligent Maintenance of Facilities

Evidence of inadequate maintenance can tip the scales in favor of the injured party, and play a pivotal role in demonstrating negligence.

Demonstrating Causation in a Slip and Fall Case

Causation, or the link between the hazard and the slip and fall accident, is a key component of establishing negligence. It must be illustrated that the hazardous condition directly led to your slip and fall incident.

Connecting the dots between the hazardous condition and the resulting accident is essential to holding the restaurant accountable for your damages. Documentation and eyewitness accounts can aid in establishing this connection.

Furthermore, if a hazard was foreseeable and could have been prevented through reasonable actions, evidence of the absence of such actions could strengthen the argument for negligence.

Comparative Negligence and Contributory Fault

Michigan slip and fall cases are governed by comparative negligence, which means that both parties involved may share responsibility for an accident. As such, the compensation awarded for damages is adjusted based on the level of fault attributed to each party.

In cases where the patron shares some responsibility for a slip and fall accident at a restaurant, the compensation they receive may be reduced proportionally. In other words, your share of fault for a slip and fall accident can significantly affect the amount of compensation you are entitled to recover for your injuries.

This underscores the importance of having experienced legal representation who can ensure that fault for the accident is accurately assessed. By engaging a skilled slip and fall lawyer, Michigan slip and fall accident victims can prevent their compensation from being reduced unfairly.

Contact Fieger Law today at 1-800-A-WINNER or fill out our online case submission form for the help you need.

Seeking Compensation for Damages After a Slip and Fall Accident in a Restaurant

If you have sustained injuries and losses as a result of a restaurateur’s negligence, you may be entitled to a range of damages, both physical and emotional. Seeking compensation can help address the following burdens:

  • Medical Expenses: Injuries sustained from slip and fall accidents often lead to medical bills. Compensation can alleviate the financial strain of these costs.
  • Lost Wages: Time away from work due to injuries can result in lost income. Seeking compensation for lost wages can provide much-needed relief.
  • Pain and Suffering: The emotional toll of a slip and fall accident is significant. Compensation for pain and suffering acknowledges this intangible burden.

The road to receiving compensation after being injured in a slip and fall accident in a restaurant involves navigating insurance claims and legal proceedings. The right legal representation can ensure that your rights are protected, and your case is presented compellingly.

At Fieger Law, our skilled personal injury lawyers are adept at building strong cases for our clients that maximize their compensation. Their knowledge of the legal landscape and experience with similar cases can make a substantial difference in the outcome of your case.

Contact Fieger Law After a Slip and Fall Accident in a Restaurant in Michigan

Understanding how liability for a slip and fall accident at a restaurant must be established is vital to recovering the compensation you deserve. At Fieger Law, we have extensive experience in handling slip and fall accident cases, and we aim to recover maximum compensation for every client we represent.

If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident in a restaurant in Michigan, reach out to Fieger Law today at 1-800-A-WINNER, or fill out our online case submission form for a free case evaluation to assess the viability of your claim.  We are dedicated to pursuing the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing and recovering from your injuries.