Currently, there are over 800 Publix stores across Florida. This employee-owned supermarket chain is a popular choice for many shoppers. Some of your favorite product brands can be found at Publix. However, as with other grocery stores and public businesses, experiencing a slip and fall accident at Publix is not uncommon.
Whether you slipped on a wet floor or an employee left out a stray power cord that caused you to trip, here is what you can generally expect to happen if you have a slip and fall accident in Publix.
What Publix Does Following a Slip and Fall Accident
Suppose that you are shopping at your local Publix in Florida when you slip and fall. Once management is informed of your accident, this is what is likely to occur:
Management Will Come to Speak With You
The manager on duty or an assistant manager will probably come to the accident site. That person will most likely ask you if you are hurt and if you need the store to call an ambulance for you. If you feel you need an ambulance because you hit your head or broke a bone, feel free to request that the store summon one for you.
The manager will also want to get some personal information from you. Such personal information is necessary for the store to document your accident and report it to their insurance carrier. You can provide the store with:
- Your name
- Your address and other contact information
- Injuries that you know you have, such as a broken bone
- Where in the store the accident happened
Try to limit your discussion of these and other matters to the bare essentials of the accident and only discuss the things you know with complete certainty.
The Store Will Clean Up the Scene of the Accident
Sometimes, a store owner with a guilty conscience will attempt to clean the area where the accident happened in hopes of removing evidence. Other times, the store will attempt to quickly clean up the accident scene to prevent someone else from getting hurt.
Whatever the store’s motivation, cleaning up the accident scene before it has been documented can make it more difficult for you to get compensation later.
Publix Will Try to Settle With You
Assuming there is no legitimate question over the store’s legal responsibility for your accident, the store manager or an adjuster for the store’s insurer will attempt to negotiate a settlement with you.
While the manager or adjuster may sound sympathetic to your plight and the injuries you sustained, their goal in attempting to settle your claim is to resolve any legal case you might bring against Publix as quickly and inexpensively as possible.
What You Need to Do Following an Accident at Publix
You will need to make some decisions following a slip and fall accident at Publix. Your choices can impact your and your slip and fall lawyer’s ability to recover compensation. For example, to best protect your interests, you should:
- Refrain from saying that you are fine.
- Take photographs of the accident scene and the hazard that caused you to slip.
- Seek medical attention quickly to determine how seriously you have been hurt.
- Decline to settle your case or sign anything in the store without having a slip and fall lawyer go over it with you first.
It’s vital to speak with an experienced Florida slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible.
How a Slip and Fall Lawyer Can Help
Once you retain an attorney, they can:
- Gather evidence to support a claim for damages
- Provide information to Publix about your claim without jeopardizing your case
- Handle calls from Publix’s management or insurance adjusters
- Prepare and file your claim against Publix
- Present your case in court if you cannot reach a settlement
Just as Publix will typically take swift action, you should also act quickly. Hiring a skilled Florida slip and fall lawyer as soon as possible is a great place to start.
Contact Schrier Law Group Following a Publix Slip and Fall
When you experience a slip and fall accident at Publix, you may be left with medical bills for the injuries you sustain. The seasoned team at Schrier Law Group is prepared to stand up for your rights against Publix and other large businesses following a slip and fall accident. Our commitment is to your recovery and compensation.
Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation with a dedicated slip and fall lawyer today.
