Walgreens is a chain of drug stores that offers medications, health and wellness goods, food, and other retail items. The store’s layout allows customers to find things quickly and conveniently; however, the slick tile floors and loaded shelves pose a risk of slip and fall accidents.
If you or a loved one was injured in a slip and fall accident at Walgreens in or around Marietta, Georgia, contact a Walgreens slip and fall lawyer at The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. today. Call us at (404) 596-8044 for a free consult.
Why Choose The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C.
The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. has a team of slip and fall attorneys who understand your difficulties after a severe injury.
The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. difference:
- $90,000,000+ in personal injury settlements and verdicts
- We will seek a fair settlement or fight for you in court
- We are here to answer your questions and keep you updated about your case
What Leads to Walgreens Slip & Fall Accidents?
Walgreens stores are not typically huge; however, there are many potential hazards within their buildings. Common risks are spilled drinks near the coolers to unstable shelving. Some other common causes of slip and fall accidents at Walgreens include:
- Failure to use “wet floor” signs in aisles
- Wet floors in high-traffic areas due to inclement weather
- Uneven floors
- Rugs that are not lying flat on the floor
- Broken and unstable carts
- Electrical cords across walkways
- Unstable shelving, leading to spilled inventory
- Unpacked merchandise sitting in the aisles
Common Injuries in Walgreens Slip & Falls
When your body collides with an object or hits the floor unexpectedly, it’s likely that you’ll suffer some sort of injury. According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), many people who experience a slip and fall suffer broken bones and fractures.
Other common slip and fall injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Concussion
- Shoulder injuries
- Neck and head injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Hip fractures
- Cuts and abrasions
- Sprained wrists and ankles
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Knee injuries
Severe slip and fall accidents can even lead to deadly injuries. According to NFSI, fall-related injuries are a leading cause of death for people aged 65 and older.
Laws that Apply to Walgreens Slip & Falls
According to Georgia premises liability law, stores like Walgreens have a legal duty to keep their buildings and parking areas safe for customers and other guests. Walgreens must regularly inspect its premises to ensure that there are no dangerous conditions or hazards to the public.
Your Status as a Customer
As a customer, Walgreens has a duty to maintain a safe environment for those who are legally on its premises.
Walgreens Liability in Slip and Fall Cases
Under premises liability law, Walgreens must exercise “ordinary care” to keep the entire property safe for guests. This includes inside the store, the entryway, walkways, and the parking lot.
Other examples of ordinary care are:
- Routine inspection of the premises
- Prompt cleanup of spills
- Safely stocking items onto shelves
- Sufficient space in aisles for shoppers to pass
- Regular mopping of floors
- Keeping outdoor areas and parking lots clean and clear
Proving Negligence in a Walgreens Slip and Fall
To prove negligence in a Walgreens slip and fall case, you must prove these four elements:
- Walgreens owed you a legal duty
- The store breached that duty
- Their breach caused your accident
- Your accident led to your damages
It can be difficult to prove someone at Walgreens breached their duty. You need to gather evidence such as photographs, videos, and eyewitness testimony to support your claims.
You must also show that Walgreens’ breach of duty led to your accident. For example, if a Walgreens employee failed to secure inventory on a shelf and the products fell onto the floor, Walgreen could be negligent if anyone slips and falls because of those spilled products. Damages can be proven with medical bills, records of lost wages, and other evidence of your losses.
What to Do After a Slip and Fall at Walgreens
If you are injured at Walgreens, you should act right away. If you wait, Walgreens may claim that you were not really injured. Some steps you should take include:
- If you need immediate treatment, call 9-1-1 and ask for an ambulance
- Take pictures and videos of the scene after the accident
- Get names and contact information for anyone who witnessed the accident
- Complete an accident report with Walgreens management. Do NOT sign a release.
- Keep all medical records and bills
- Maintain records of wages lost and time missed from work
- Document how the injury has impacted your life and the lives of your family members
Walgreens Locations in Marietta, GA
If you slip and fall at any of the following Walgreen locations or others around Marietta, GA, please contact us for a free consultation.
Walgreens
23 South Marietta Pkwy SW
Marietta, GA 30064
Walgreens
2464 Roswell Rd.
Marietta, GA 30062
Walgreens
2975 Delk Rd. SE
Marietta, GA 30067
Walgreens
2580 Sandy Plains Rd.
Marietta, GA 30066
Walgreens
2444 Dallas Hwy SW
Marietta, GA 30064
Walgreens Will Try to Protect Themselves
Walgreens and its employees will start protecting themselves right away. They may try to convince you that you don’t need emergency medical treatment. Walgreens representatives may say that they’ll work with you to reach a resolution and that you don’t need to contact an attorney. They may even make you a “lowball” settlement offer that won’t be enough to cover all your losses.
Do not sign any releases. Don’t give them a statement. They will use anything you say against you, if possible. Instead, contact a slip and fall lawyer who can handle your claim and handle any communication with the company.
Why You Need a Marietta Slip and Fall Lawyer
Getting legal advice is important. Walgreens’ legal department will do everything possible to delay and deny your claim. Your attorney can help you by handling the following:
- Submitting a statement to Walgreens and their insurance company
- Evaluating how much your case is worth
- Drafting your legal documents and filing a personal injury lawsuit
- Negotiating a fair settlement with Walgreens
- Taking your case to court if Walgreens refuses a fair settlement
How to Recover Compensation
Slip and fall accidents are premises liability claims which fall under personal injury law. You are entitled to recover the following types of compensation from a slip and fall case:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of earning potential
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Funeral expenses if a loved one dies because of their injuries
Sample Walgreens’ Cases
Many people suffer slip and fall accidents at Walgreens every year. The following are not cases handled by The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C.; however, they illustrate the frequency of these accidents.
- A 64-year-old man slipped and fell on a patch of ice under a roof overhang at a Walgreens. He suffered a torn right rotator cuff and fractured right hand, which required surgery and physical therapy. He ultimately settled his claim with Walgreens for $135,000.
- A victim slipped and fell on standing liquid near the Walgreens exit. They suffered an injured back and left knee. They recovered $62,000 from Walgreens.
- A 57-year-old woman slipped and fell on a recently waxed floor in a Walgreens store. She suffered back and knee injuries that required long-term physical therapy. She recovered $20,000 from the company.
Suing Walgreens vs. Negotiating a Settlement in Marietta, GA
While you might want to accept a quick settlement from Walgreens, that is not usually the best option in slip and fall cases. You will likely have significant future medical expenses, lost wages, and ongoing pain and suffering that a quick settlement offer will not cover. If Walgreens refuses to pay the full value of your case, you may need to file a lawsuit.
If a lawsuit is filed, your lawyer can utilize the discovery process to collect information from Walgreens to support your case. This will help you prove that Walgreens and its employees were negligent and should be held liable for your injuries.
Proving Walgreens was Negligent Is Key
It’s important to focus on proving negligence throughout your case. That’s why it’s necessary to work closely with an attorney who understands Georgia premises and personal injury law. Your lawyer will utilize the evidence available to meet the elements of negligence to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Walgreens Slip & Fall FAQs
What If I Fall in the Walgreens Parking Lot?
Walgreens is responsible for all areas of its property, including the parking lot. If Walgreen employees knew or should have known about a dangerous area in the parking lot, the store can be held liable for your damages.
How Long Does It Take to Settle with Walgreens?
It can take months or even years to settle a slip-and-fall case against Walgreens. The company may even try to drag out the claim to get you to give up.
What If an Employee Said It’s Your Fault?
Walgreens, an employee, or their insurance company may try to blame you for the accident. Their goal is to pay you as little as possible. Your premises liability attorney will use the evidence to show that it was not your fault and that Walgreens is responsible for the slip and fall.
Contact The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C.
If you need to file a claim against Walgreens because of a slip and fall, you need an attorney who is not afraid to go up against a large corporation. The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. has experience handling slip and fall cases against major corporations like Walgreens.
If you or a loved one was injured while shopping at Walgreens, call The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. at (404) 596-8044 for a consultation.