Slip and fall settlements are quite common and can be very costly. Slip or trip and fall accidents often happen in grocery stores. By the end of this post, you’ll know all you need to about grocery store slip and fall settlements in California.
Grocery stores are quick to deny fault or shift blame. The last thing they want to do is pay out big bucks in grocery store slip and fall settlements. However, our slip and fall lawyers can prove that your fall was the fault of a grocery store and maximize your settlement.
Call us today at (800) 718-4658 for a FREE consultation, text us from this page or fill out this page’s free case evaluation form if you or a loved one was injured in a slip or trip and fall accident in a grocery store. We can hold a grocery store liable for your injuries and help you recover compensation for medical bills, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, pain, suffering and more.
Determining Liability in a Grocery Store Slip and Fall Case
Let’s examine how to determine who is responsible for slip and fall accidents in grocery stores. It may seem straightforward, but it can actually be quite complex.
If you slipped or not isn’t the question at hand here. The question at hand is why you slipped. If the store ignored a spill for hours, or failed to warn about a wet floor after cleanup, liability on behalf of the store may be clear. However, if a fellow shopper spilled coffee two seconds prior to you slipping? Things would be more complicated, then.
The things that need to be proven for an injured party to hold a grocery store responsible for injuries are:
- Cause: Can you prove that your fall was caused by something in the grocery store? Is there evidence of what you slipped and fell on?
- Prior knowledge: Did someone at the grocery store knew about the hazard before it caused you to fall? If not, should they have known about it before you fell, since reasonable people would have spotted the hazard during regular inspections?
- Action or lack of action: What did the grocery store do or not do about the hazard?
Grocery store owners have a duty of care to keep their stores safe because personal injury victims can suffer serious injuries like broken bones or severe shoulder injuries in slip and fall accidents. When grocery stores know or should know about hazards but don’t do enough to fix those hazards or prevent people from being injured by those hazards, they can be held liable for any injuries which occur as a result.
In short, proving that a grocery store was negligent is crucial for establishing liability in a slip and fall case.
Approximate Slip and Fall Settlement Amounts in CA
You may be wondering, “How much can you get for a slip and fall in a store?”
Settlements regarding slip and fall injuries in California will typically range from $15,000 to $45,000. Minor injuries might only be worth a few thousand dollars, while more severe injuries such as traumatic brain injuries or spinal injuries will possibly lead to settlements which exceed $100,000.
How much compensation you can get for a fall in a supermarket will depend upon injury severity, how negligent the grocery store was, and additional factors.
Factors which will affect the value of your slip and fall claim include:
- Injury severity: Injuries which are more serious, such as those involving permanent disability or those requiring long-term medical care or surgery, are likely to lead to larger settlements.
- Extent of negligence: Settlements may be larger when negligence on behalf of a grocery store is clear.
- Permanent disability: Should your injuries lead to a permanent disability, this will play a part in the size of your settlement.
- Insurance coverage limits: How much insurance coverage is carried by the grocery store can impact the size of your settlement.
- Documentation and evidence: Strong evidence of the store’s negligence and the accident may lead to a larger settlement.
- Legal representation: Experienced personal injury lawyers can help you navigate through the legal process and make sure you end up receiving fair compensation.
Examples of settlement amounts:
| Injuries | Approximate Settlement |
| Minor – Bruising, cuts, sprains | $5K – $20K |
| Significant – Fractures, torn ligaments, mild concussion | $20K – $75K |
| Critical – Spinal damage, brain injury, disabling injuries | $100K – $1,000,000+ |
Important things to keep in mind:
- Each case is unique: Injuries don’t have fixed values. There is no single average slip and fall settlement amount. Your claim’s value will depend upon your situation’s specifics.
- Premises liability: The law in California requires owners of property to maintain safe environments for their visitors.
- No damage caps in California: California generally doesn’t cap damages in cases involving personal injuries, except in medical malpractice claims.
- Comparative negligence rules: California allows for comparative negligence, meaning you can recover compensation even if you’re partially to blame for your fall. Your damages will simply be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you. A lawyer can help to minimize the percentage of fault assigned to you.
- Consult with a lawyer: It is important to consult with a slip and fall lawyer in order to talk about your case and understand the compensation you may qualify for.
Grocery Store Slip and Fall Settlement Examples
Walmart Slip and Fall Settlement: $2.45 Million
In 2024, a California jury awarded $2.45 million to a woman who allegedly fell due to a pothole in a Walmart parking lot. The woman accused the store of not properly maintaining and inspecting its parking lot.
The fall allegedly caused the woman to need spinal fusion surgery leaving her with hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of medical bills as well as chronic pain.
The woman argued she couldn’t see the pothole because of the shade created by a parked car, and argued that Walmart’s own policies required them to do more to look for and fix tripping hazards. The woman argued the pothole was an “obvious safety hazard.”
Food 4 Less Slip and Fall Settlement: $116,000
In 2016, a woman was awarded $116,000 after she sustained knee, head, back and neck injuries due to a slip and fall at a Food 4 Less in Escondido, CA. It is alleged that the woman slipped and fell on a piece of fruit on the floor, leading to her doing the splits and falling onto her head, back and buttocks.
The woman argued the store negligently swept its aisles, and also alleged the store intentionally altered or destroyed video footage showing the slip and fall.
A manager allegedly testified he saw a video which showed the fall, yet the defendant allegedly provided a video modified to cut out the fall.
Riverside Grocery Store Slip and Fall: $3.8 Million
A customer in a Riverside, CA grocery store slipped and fell due to liquid that was spilled in a grocery aisle, sustaining nerve damage and multiple leg fractures. The case was settled for $3.8 million.
Common Causes of Slip and Falls in Grocery Stores
Spilled drinks- Leaky refrigerators
- Recently mopped floors without warning signs
- Poor lighting
- Crowded displays
- Loose rugs or uneven floors
- Obstacles in aisles
- Lack of warning signs
- Wet and uneven surfaces
- Weather-related hazards
How Much Compensation Can I Get For Falling in a Supermarket?
The amount of compensation that an experienced personal injury attorney at our firm can help you recover will depend upon the specific damages you have suffered.
Damages which we can help you recover compensation for include:
- Medical bills: We can help you recover compensation for all past and future medical expenses related to your slip or trip and fall accident. This includes compensation for ambulance bills, medical treatment, hospital bills, emergency room bills, rehabilitation and doctor’s visits.
- Lost wages: If you end up missing work because of your injuries, the income you lost may be included in your settlement. This includes income lost due to being hurt too badly to work or having to take time off from work to get your injuries treated.
- Pain and suffering: Your physical pain as well as the psychological and emotional impact of your injuries will play a role in determining the size of your settlement. A personal injury lawyer at our firm can accurately calculate the value of your pain and suffering and make sure you are fairly compensated for it.
- Loss of earning capacity: If you suffered severe injuries which permanently affect your ability to earn a living, we can help you recover compensation for this.
- Punitive damages: If gross negligence was involved in your fall, you may be awarded punitive damages which will further increase the compensation you receive in your personal injury claim.
Statute of Limitations for California Slip and Fall Accidents
There is a deadline to file a lawsuit regarding a slip and fall accident in California known as a statute of limitations. If you were injured because a slip and fall happened, you will typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit, and failure to file a lawsuit within this time period may forever bar you from recovering compensation for your injuries.
However, there are exceptions to the two year time limit regarding California personal injury cases. Some of the exceptions shorten the time limit and some of them lengthen it.
Our law firm knows all of the laws regarding the statute of limitations in California. Act fast! Call us today for a free consultation. We can let you know if you still qualify to file a lawsuit.
How an Attorney Can Help With Your Case
A lawyer at our firm can help your supermarket slip and fall case by:
- Identifying who is liable: We have been identifying liable parties in personal injury cases and proving negligence for over 30 years. We have the experience and know-how necessary to identify the responsible party in your slip and fall incident and prove that it was their fault.
- Gathering evidence: If you have suffered serious injuries like back or head injuries, it’s vital that you recover the evidence necessary to prove your case and recover compensation for your injuries. We can help you collect the evidence you need for a strong case.
- Handling insurance negotiations: While there are several factors that determine the size of your settlement, perhaps the biggest factor is having a lawyer by your side. Property owners’ insurance companies know you can’t force them to offer you anything but low ball offers if you can’t sue them and win over a low ball offer.
- Filing a lawsuit if the store refuses to pay: Almost all of our slip and fall cases settle out of court because of our reputation for success. However, if a store or their insurance company refuses to pay, we are ready to seek compensation for you in court.
- Not charging upfront fees: We will not charge you any fee to handle your slip and fall case until and unless we obtain a recovery.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall in a Grocery Store
Things you should do after a slip and fall at a grocery store include:
- Report your accident: Immediately tell staff or the store manager about your accident. This makes sure the store knows of the accident and can begin an investigation. Ask for an incident report, as it can be helpful regarding your slip and fall case.
- Immediately seek medical attention: Be sure to see a medical professional, even if it seems like you only have minor injuries. Some injuries don’t show symptoms for months, and waiting too long to get injuries documented by a medical professional can lead to an insurance company claiming something other than your accident caused your injuries.
- Gather evidence: Gather all documentation which is relevant, including scene photos, medical records and police reports. Take pictures and videos of the accident scene, including of the place where you fell and any hazards such as uneven surfaces or spills. Get the contact information of any witnesses to your fall. Keep records of all lost income and expenses related to the injuries you suffered. Keep the shoes you wore when the accident occurred. Ask for security camera footage. It might have captured your fall.
- Be careful: Don’t accept blame for your fall or minimize your injuries when talking to insurance companies or store employees. Avoid posting on social media about your accident until your claim is resolved.
- Seek legal advice: It is vital to consult with a personal injury lawyer to assess your case’s strength and determine how much compensation you may qualify for.
- Negotiate carefully: Skilled lawyers can negotiate with insurance companies for you to make sure you receive a fair settlement.
- Don’t talk to insurance adjusters: Don’t provide statements. Let your lawyer handle all communications with insurance companies. Don’t sign documents without first consulting with your attorney.
Common Grocery Store Chains Named in CA Slip and Fall Lawsuits
Common grocery store chains named in slip and fall lawsuits in California include:
- WinCo
- Walmart
- Food 4 Less
- Ralphs
- Safeway
- Vons
- Albertsons
- Cardenas
- Trader Joe’s
- Whole Foods Market
Contact Our Grocery Store Slip and Fall Attorneys Today
Call us today at (800) 718-4658 for a FREE case evaluation if you or a loved one was injured in a slip or trip and fall accident in a California grocery store.
We have been handling slip and fall cases since 1990, having recovered over $750,000,000 for our clients. Our extensive experience will let us recover the most compensation possible on your behalf.
If you cannot afford to get your slip and fall accident injuries treated, we can get you to doctors who will treat your injuries without charging you until your case is over.
Our only fee is a percentage of the money we recover for you. We don’t charge upfront fees or out-of-pocket fees. We don’t charge any fee until and unless we recover money for you.
Our attorneys are here to help you get the justice you deserve.
