Mark Roman | April 24, 2023 | Slip and Fall Accidents
Slip and fall accidents and other injuries in Publix grocery stores can cause severe injuries. If you were injured in a Publix store in Florida, someone representing Publix might contact you regarding your injury. They could offer you a few thousand dollars to settle your claim.
The settlement offer from Publix can happen within a day or two after the accident. However, many people have not had time to learn about the extent of their injuries from their doctor or seek legal advice from a Clearwater premises liability lawyer.
Publix makes this quick offer to try and reduce its liability for the claim. Do not fall for this tactic. If you accept the offer of money from Publix after an accident, you could be responsible for thousands of dollars in damages you cannot recover.
Steps You Should Take After an Accident in a Clearwater Publix Store
Do not accept an immediate offer to settle your Publix slip and fall or accident claim. Instead, take the following steps after an accident at Publix to protect your right to fair compensation for injuries.
Report the Accident to the Store Manager
As soon as you slip and fall or sustain an injury at a Publix store, report the accident to the store manager. Failing to report an accident or injury promptly could call your honesty into question. The store could allege that you made up the injury for money.
Ask the store manager to provide you with a copy of the written report before you leave. Ask for a report number if the manager does not give you a written report. Write down the store manager’s name and the date and time you reported the accident.
Take Photographs of the Accident Area
It is important to document the accident scene because the store will remove any hazards that caused your injury. Take photos of the area where you were injured, especially the reason for your injury (for example, water on the floor, loose rug, or exposed wiring).
If an employee begins to clean up the area, make a video of the employee cleaning the area. The evidence could be crucial in proving fault and liability for the accident.
Ask Eyewitnesses for Their Contact Information
Typically, there are numerous people in Publix shopping at the time of an accident or injury. Therefore, it is likely that someone witnessed the accident.
Ask other shoppers for their names and contact information. Eyewitness testimony can be helpful in a Publix accident case, especially when the store quickly corrects the issue that caused your injury.
Seek Immediate Treatment for Injuries
Call 911 if you require emergency medical treatment for your injuries. If someone else calls 911, do not refuse treatment. Even if you do not believe you need to go to the hospital, you should not state you are “fine” or you do not think your injuries are serious.
Instead, seek prompt medical treatment from a medical professional after sustaining injuries at a Publix store. You have the burden of linking your injuries to your accident at the store. Medical records are vital pieces of evidence to prove you were injured.
Delays in medical care could create problems in a personal injury case. For example, the store might claim that you made up your injuries or that your damages are worse because you did not seek prompt care. Do not give Publix any additional reasons to fight your claim.
Document Your Damages
Photograph your injuries after the accident and throughout your recovery. Make sure you capture swelling, bruising, and lacerations. Photographs help prove the severity of your injuries.
Keep copies of all invoices, medical bills, and receipts for out-of-pocket expenses related to the accident and your injuries. You must prove your monetary losses to receive reimbursement from Publix.
Talk to a Clearwater Publix Accident Lawyer
Before accepting any money from Publix for an accident, you should talk with a Clearwater Publix injury attorney. Accident attorneys offer free consultations where you can:
- Learn about your legal options for obtaining compensation for damages
- Discover how much your case is worth, including the types of economic and non-economic damages you can receive
- Learn about the statute of limitations for filing claims against Publix
- Discuss what happens if you accept a settlement offer from Publix
- Learn more about the steps you need to take to protect your right to fair compensation for a Publix accident
Publix representatives and insurance adjusters will not tell you the actual value of your case. Instead, they will try to pressure you into accepting a settlement offer that is not in your best interest. Working with an experienced Clearwater personal injury lawyer ensures you receive sound legal advice about your claim.
Contact the Clearwater Slip and Fall Law Firm of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for Help Today
For more information, please contact the legal team of Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers for a free initial consultation with a slip and fall accidents lawyer in Clearwater. We have four convenient locations in Florida: Clearwater, New Port Richey, and Tampa.
We serve throughout Pinellas County, Hillsborough County, Pasco County, and its surrounding areas:
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Clearwater Office
1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1
Clearwater, FL 33765
(727) 787-2500
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Congress Ave Office
2360 Congress Avenue
Clearwater, FL 33763
(727) 591-5610
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – Tampa Office
6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202
Tampa, FL 33615
(813) 686-7588
Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers – New Port Richey Office
2515 Seven Springs Blvd.
New Port Richey, FL, 34655
(727) 815-8442