A trip to the grocery store is a mundane, everyday occurrence for most Nebraskans. However, even in the seemingly benign supermarket aisles, dangers lurk. Spilled liquids, broken glass, and slippery floors present hazards that can cause serious injuries for unsuspecting shoppers.
Slip and Fall Accidents
One of the most common causes of injury in grocery stores is slip and fall accidents. Floors that are wet from spilled liquids or melting ice cubes can cause shoppers to lose their footing. Waxed and polished floors can also be dangerously slick.
According to the National Floor Safety Institute, falls are the leading cause of injury in grocery stores. Slips and falls often lead to painful contusions, sprains, fractures, and even traumatic brain injuries. Back injuries are particularly common, as victims tend to land directly on their tailbone.
Nebraska law holds property owners liable if they fail to take reasonable precautions against known slip hazards. However, grocery stores often deny responsibility by claiming the victim wasn’t paying attention. An experienced personal injury attorney can help victims recover damages in these cases. Stores should implement clear policies and procedures for identifying and promptly cleaning up spills to prevent dangerous slip and fall incidents.
Collisions with Carts and Shelves
Grocery carts and shelves full of heavy items present another danger for shoppers in Nebraska supermarkets. Distracted employees or customers can easily crash carts into other people, leading to injuries like contusions, fractured toes, and ankle sprains. Stock clerks unpacking shelves may accidentally knock items onto shoppers below, causing concussions and fractures.
Young children are especially susceptible to grocery cart collisions. Parents should buckle children into cart seats and keep them safely away from heavy shelves. Stores should provide carts with functioning wheel locks to prevent runaway cart accidents. Adequate aisle space and posted warnings can also help reduce collisions.
Under Nebraska premises liability laws, shoppers injured by unsafe conditions like wobbly shelving can likely recover damages. However, grocery stores often try to avoid liability by claiming the accident was the victim’s fault. A qualified personal injury lawyer can help build a strong case for victims injured by negligent conditions.
Broken Glass Accidents
Broken glass is an obvious danger in the grocery store environment. Jars and bottles are prone to slipping off shelves and shattering on the floor below. Cracked or unstable shelving can also cause products to fall and break spontaneously.
Stepping on broken glass can lead to deep lacerations, sometimes requiring dozens of stitches. Tendons and nerves in the foot can be severed. Victims may be left with permanent numbness or disability due to nerve damage. Nebraska premises liability law allows victims to recover damages in these cases if the store owner was negligent in allowing the hazard to exist.
Glass particles are also easily tracked through stores, depositing in carpets and mats. Unsuspecting customers can step on the glass long after the initial spill, suffering serious cuts. Grocery stores should immediately cordon off broken glass spills and thoroughly clean the area afterward.
Freezer and Cooler Door Accidents
Grocery shoppers regularly open freezer and cooler doors to access frozen and refrigerated goods. However, freezer door accidents are an under-recognized hazard. Doors unexpectedly swinging open or slamming shut can strike customers, causing head injuries, facial fractures, and dental damage.
Parents should take care when allowing children near cooler doors, as little hands can easily become caught and crushed. Loose or poorly installed units may unexpectedly detach and fall forward as customers open them. Faulty doors that do not stay open or closed are especially hazardous.
Under Nebraska law, stores must ensure cooler and freezer doors are properly maintained and do not pose a danger to customers. Seeking compensation for any injury caused by defective units involves complex legal claims. Working with an experienced personal injury attorney is crucial for achieving a positive outcome.
Chemical Exposure
Grocery stores use harsh cleaning products and other industrial chemicals that can be hazardous if mishandled. Accidental chemical splashes in the eyes or on the skin can cause burns, blindness, and respiratory distress. Prolonged exposure to floor stripping compounds has been linked to neurological damage.
Chemical vapors released during a spill or leak can cause shoppers to feel dizzy, nauseous, or short of breath. The young, elderly, and immunocompromised are most at risk of serious harm. Grocery stores have a duty to properly label chemicals, promptly clean up spills, and alert customers about any dangerous exposures.
Under Nebraska law, stores that fail to protect customers from hazardous chemicals may face premises liability claims. Victims who experience health effects from exposure should consult a qualified toxic tort attorney.
Foodborne Illness Outbreaks
Food safety issues occasionally result in outbreaks of foodborne illness among grocery shoppers. Foods like raw meat, seafood, eggs, and produce can become contaminated with E. coli, salmonella, listeria, or other pathogens if stored or handled improperly.
Symptoms like vomiting, diarrhea, fever, and body aches may emerge rapidly after consuming tainted grocery items. At-risk groups like young children, seniors, and pregnant women are more likely to experience life-threatening complications. Nebraska stores implicated in an outbreak may be liable for negligence and face lawsuits from sickened customers.
Protect Your Rights After Injury
If you or a loved one experience an injury due to unsafe conditions in a Nebraska grocery store, it is important to consult an experienced personal injury attorney right away. Stores and insurance companies are focused on minimizing liability, not helping injured customers. An attorney can deal with the insurance company on your behalf while you focus on recovery.
The legal team at Monge & Associates has over 20 years assisting Nebraska injury victims. With 32 offices in 19 states, including Nebraska, Ohio, and Mississippi, we offer compassionate guidance and work tirelessly to help clients obtain the compensation they deserve.
If you have been injured in a grocery store accident, contact us today for a free consultation at (888) 477-0597. Our grocery store injury lawyers are here to help you and your family through this difficult time.