Were you injured after slipping and falling while shopping? Slip and fall incidents in grocery stores can happen in the blink of an eye, but youโre not at fault for getting hurt when negligence or recklessness was at play.
If youโre the victim of a slip and fall accident, itโs important to contact a Bakersfield slip and fall injury lawyer as soon as possible. At J&Y Law, we have 80-plus years of combined experience. Our team has been representing people as their Ralphs slip and fall injury lawyers in Bakersfield since 2010.
Since then, weโve recovered tens of millions in compensation. Our attorneys have experience handling cases like yours, and you can count on us to advocate for your rights throughout every step of the legal process.
Common Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents in Ralphs
Slip and fall accidents in supermarkets often occur because of unsafe or overlooked conditions. Just like other large grocery chains, Ralphs is required to maintain a safe environment for all of its shoppers, but even so, hazards can still arise.
When looking into the circumstances that caused you to get hurt, your Bakersfield personal injury lawyer will consider the following factors as potential causes behind your injuries:
- Spilled liquids and food products
- Fresh produce hazards
- Recently mopped or waxed floors
- Uneven flooring or tiles
- Cluttered aisles
- Parking lot dangers
Each of these hazards can cause you to sustain major injuries if Ralphs employees fail to notice the issues in a timely manner and correct them right away.
For a free legal consultation with a ralphs slip and fall injury lawyer serving Bakersfield, call (424) 453-2310
California Premises Liability Law and Grocery Stores
In California, slip and fall incidents fall under the stateโs premises liability laws. These laws dictate when a property owner or occupierโsuch as Ralphs, in this contextโcan be held responsible for accidents that take place on the storeโs property.
Duty of Care in California
According to California Civil Code ยง 1714, property owners have a duty to use reasonable care when it comes to managing their property and preventing harm to others. For Ralphs, this means the employees must take care of the following duties at each and every store:
- Regularly inspecting aisles, restrooms, and parking areas for hazards
- Promptly cleaning up spills or debris
- Posting clear warning signs for wet or unsafe conditions
- Repairing damaged flooring, railings, or lighting
- Training staff to recognize and address dangers quickly
If Ralphs fails to uphold any of these responsibilities and a customer is injured as a result of their inaction or negligence, the store could be deemed liable under premises liability law.
The Concept of โReasonable Careโ
In California, courts evaluate whether Ralphs acted the same way a reasonably careful store would under similar circumstances. For example, letโs say a spill occurred only moments before a customer slipped.
In that case, Ralphs might argue that it didnโt have enough time to address it. However, perhaps the spill was present for a long period of time without being cleaned up despite having plenty of opportunities to do so. In that case, this decision may indicate negligence on the part of Ralphs.
Bakersfield Ralphs Slip and Fall Injury Lawyer Near Me (424) 453-2310
Proving Negligence in Slip and Fall Cases
To hold Ralphs accountable for a slip and fall incident, youโll want to hire a Bakersfield Ralphs slip and fall injury attorney who can prove the following elements when demonstrating that negligence was involved in your case:
- Duty of care: Ralphs had a responsibility to keep the premises reasonably safe.
- Breach of duty: Ralphs failed to fulfill that duty by neglecting a dangerous condition.
- Causation: The unsafe condition directly caused you to slip and fall.
- Damages: You suffered actual harm as a direct result of these circumstances.
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Statute of Limitations for Slip and Fall Claims in California
In California, the statute of limitations for slip and fall victims is two years from the date of the incident. This means you have 24 months to take legal action according to California Code of Civil Procedure ยง 335.1.
Please note that you run the risk of losing your right to pursue compensation altogether if you fail to file a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires. To prevent this from happening to you, itโs very important to contact Bakersfield Ralphs slip and fall injury attorneys immediately.
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Call Our Bakersfield Ralphs Slip and Fall Injury Lawyers as Soon as Possible for Information About How We Can Help
If you or someone you love was injured in a slip and fall incident at the store, you donโt have to find your way through the aftermath all by yourself. We recognize that these incidents can leave you feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and unsure about what comes next, but weโre here for you.
At J&Y Law, our Bakersfield Ralphs slip and fall injury attorneys have the experience it takes and the resources you need to pursue your much-deserved compensation. As your Bakersfield Ralphs slip and fall injury lawyers, you can count on us to focus on you.
As soon as you call us, weโll be able to look into the details of your case, ask you about the extent of your injuries, and build a strong claim on your behalf.
We want to hold the at-fault parties accountable for the pain they caused you because you are worthy of justice.
Call or text (424) 453-2310 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form