Grocery Store Slip and Falls

Premises Liability Attorney Serving the Knoxville Area

When you go to the grocery store, you do not expect to be injured. You assume that management will clean up any spills promptly. Unfortunately, some grocery stores in Tennessee fail to create or comply with policies to make sure that their floors are clear of foreign substances. At the Hartsoe Law Firm, Knoxville premises liability lawyer Mark C. Hartsoe can help you pursue compensation if you have been hurt in a grocery store slip and fall caused by a foreign substance or another dangerous condition.

Pursuing Compensation for Grocery Store Falls in Tennessee

The law assumes that a property owner or occupier has superior knowledge about the premises under its control. In Tennessee, someone who has control over property has a duty to keep it in a safe condition for visitors. The extent of this duty or the level of care varies depending on the visitor's status on the property. However, the greatest duty is owed to business invitees, who are people who visit a property for a reason that economically benefits both the business and them. Grocery store shoppers fall into this category. Groceries must exercise care to make sure that consumers are safe while shopping. If a dangerous condition cannot be fixed promptly, a store is supposed to provide warnings. This may be accomplished by putting up a sign or orange warning cones.

A storeowner may be held liable if its employees created a dangerous condition, such as by spilling water in the freezer section or drinks aisle. Liability may also be established if someone else created the condition, but the owner knew or should have known about it.

A grocery store is expected to regularly inspect its premises for dangers such as spilled substances. In order for you to win a premises liability case, you will need to prove that the grocery store had actual or constructive notice of the dangerous condition that caused your fall. This may be difficult to prove because conditions in a grocery store may be transient. The spill may be immediately cleaned up, or a surveillance tape may be used and erased as a routine business practice. The short life of evidence in these cases may make them especially challenging to prove. If you have a significant injury, these cases may be worth pursuing.

The notice requirement is satisfied, however, if you can show that the condition existed for a long time, such that the store should have observed it. It may also be established by showing that the store has a pattern of conduct, or there was a continuing condition or a re-occurring incident. In other words, you may be able to establish notice by looking at whether there were prior similar spills or conditions in the past that caused shoppers to fall. Once notice is established, you will also need to prove that the owner did not use reasonable care to fix the condition or warn shoppers about it.

Consult a Knoxville Lawyer for Your Premises Liability Case

If you are injured in a grocery store slip and fall, you may be able to recover damages for your harm, including both your economic and noneconomic losses. Premises liability cases may be challenging, but Knoxville premises liability attorney Mark C. Hartsoe has the experience and skill to represent you so that you can focus on getting well. Call the Hartsoe Law Firm at 865-804-1011 or contact us via our online form to set up a free appointment with a slip and fall attorney. We assist injured people throughout East Tennessee, including in Knox, Blount, Monroe, Loudon, Jefferson, Grainger, Cocke, Campbell, Hamblen, Greene, Anderson, Cumberland, and Fentress Counties.

Client Reviews
★★★★★
I was on my way to Atlanta and a huge truck rear-ended me and knocked me off the side of the road. I was scared. Didn’t know what to do. I tried working with the insurance company. They are just difficult to work with. I had to call somebody to take care of me. So, My brother told me to call Mark Hartsoe. As soon as I called Mark Hartsoe, he let me know real quick that everything was going to be okay and that he would take care of everything. And, he did. He got me a great settlement. He took the worry off of me. Mickey Anderson
★★★★★
I was hit coming home late at night by a drunk driver who took off. And the next day I was able to track down his vehicle and get the state police involved. At that point, a family friend recommended that I talk to Mark Hartsoe. Pretty much at that point, Mark handled the police, the insurance company and the guy who hit me. Settled with the actual person that hit me. Outside of that, everything came out great. Did not have to go to court. Got a great settlement. Got my car replaced. Got a check. Mark Hartsoe is my lawyer. Nate Holder
★★★★★
I was involved in a motorcycle accident. It was a head-on collision. I broke my arm, injured by knee. I was out of work for a long time and had medical bills, other expenses. A personal friend handed me a card for Mark Hartsoe. I called Mark Hartsoe from the side of the road and he took care of everything. My case was settled out of court. I received a great settlement. Bike was totaled, motorcycle was replaced. It was easy, painless. About as painless as something like this can be. This is why my lawyer is Mark Hartsoe. John Lusinger
★★★★★
I wanted to thank you for the excellent representation and your ability to handle the situation so well with such compassion and strength. We appreciate all of your help, concern and for answering my many questions. It has been a difficult road to travel but when we come across people like you, it really helps to lighten the load. We just wanted you to know how much we appreciate what you’ve done and your ability to handle the situation so well. S. Carter
★★★★★
Thank you so much for all the work you did on our case. We received more than we expected. You were great through the whole time from the first meeting until the last. Thank you so very much. Sam & Judy Kachar