I Slipped And Fell In A Grocery Store – Now What?
Slip and fall accidents in grocery stores happen far more often than people realize and remain a common cause of personal injury accidents in Denver. Wet floors, loose mats, poor lighting, or cluttered aisles may result in broken bones, concussions, or spinal injuries that require costly treatment and long recovery periods.
These cases are fact-specific and often contested, but a slip and fall lawyer can investigate, negotiate, and handle the entire legal process.
Under Colorado law, you can pursue a legal claim if a store failed to maintain safe conditions or ignored hazards that should have been addressed. Let’s explore your legal rights and responsibilities for seeking compensation for damages.
Slip and Fall Rules for Grocery Stores in Colorado and How These May Affect Your Case
Colorado’s premises liability law determines that property owners have a legal duty to keep their premises reasonably safe for customers. This includes inspecting for hazards, cleaning up spills promptly, and placing warning signs near known dangers.
Whether you can file a claim depends on your legal status on the property:
- Invitee – Customers are considered invitees, meaning the store owes them the highest duty of care. If the owner failed to maintain reasonably safe conditions and someone gets injured, they may be held liable.
- Licensee – Social guests or non-paying visitors. The property owner must warn of known dangers but doesn’t have to inspect for new ones.
- Trespasser – Individuals who enter the property without permission are considered trespassers. Property owners generally owe them minimal legal duty, but they must still avoid willfully or intentionally causing harm.
Courts look at whether the business acted reasonably under the circumstances. If the hazard existed long enough that an employee should’ve noticed it, or if similar incidents happened before, negligence may be easier to prove.
At Boesen Law, we’ve published an introduction to personal injury law in Denver that can help you better understand the standards courts use in these cases. If you’ve slipped in a grocery store in Colorado, here’s what you should do next to protect your rights.
Prioritize Medical Attention and Document Your Injuries
Your health comes first. Even if the fall seems minor at first, symptoms like head trauma, internal bleeding, or soft-tissue damage may not be obvious right away. Also, seeking medical care creates a clear link between the fall and your injuries.
Medical bills often make up a large portion of the damages in a personal injury lawsuit. Consistent treatment and clear medical records are essential if you want to build a strong case and pursue fair compensation.
Report the Incident to the Store Manager
Tell the store manager what happened and ask to file an incident report. This creates a paper trail and confirms that the store was aware of the hazard. Be clear and accurate about what caused the fall and where it occurred.
Failing to report the incident promptly can create doubt about the details later, so try to notify store personnel immediately, even if you feel okay in the moment.
Gather Your Own Evidence
After a fall, evidence can make or break the case, and collecting your own evidence helps protect your case in case store surveillance is lost or altered. Some useful items include:
- Photos of the hazard, such as spills or damaged flooring.
- Videos or images showing lighting conditions or store layout, if relevant.
- Contact information and statements from eyewitnesses.
- Notes about what you were doing before, during, and after the fall.
On the other hand, accident reconstruction in personal injury claims is often used when liability is unclear or disputed. In slip and fall cases, experts may analyze scene photos, conditions, and timelines to assess whether the hazard was avoidable and if the property owner failed to act reasonably.
How Long Do You Have to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit in Colorado?
Colorado law gives you two years to file a personal injury lawsuit, including slip and fall claims. That clock typically starts on the date of the incident, but it can vary depending on the circumstances.
Delays can seriously harm your chances. During a free consultation, a lawyer from our team can explain all time limits on personal injury cases and make sure your case is filed correctly and on time.
When to Call a Slip and Fall Lawyer
Depending on your injuries and how the fall has affected your life, you may be able to recover damages such as:
- Medical expenses, past and future: Includes emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgeries, follow-up care, rehabilitation, and any ongoing medical needs resulting from your injury.
- Lost wages and reduced earning capacity: Covers income lost during recovery and compensates for long-term impacts on your ability to work or earn a similar income.
- Pain, suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life: Accounts for physical pain, emotional distress, and the inability to engage in hobbies, daily routines, or activities you once enjoyed.
When to Call a Slip and Fall Lawyer
It’s a good idea to contact a lawyer if you’ve suffered serious injuries, missed work, or are getting pushback from the store or their insurance company.
Legal support helps level the playing field. A Denver slip and fall lawyer from Boesen Law can:
- Communicate with the store and its insurer: Our attorneys handle all communications with store representatives and insurance adjusters to protect your claim and prevent you from being pressured into a low settlement.
- Gather and preserve crucial evidence: Boesen Law acts quickly to secure photos, witness statements, surveillance footage, and medical records. This helps us build a strong and well-documented case.
- Handle legal filings and negotiations on your behalf: From completing paperwork to negotiating with insurers, our team manages every step so you can focus on recovery while we pursue fair compensation for your losses.
Contact Us for Help with Your Slip and Fall Claim
Boesen Law has recovered millions for injured clients across Colorado, as shown in our case results. We understand how a slip and fall can upend your life, and that’s why our attorneys are dedicated to investigating, gathering evidence, and demanding fair compensation on your behalf.
If you slipped and fell because a grocery store failed to maintain safe conditions, don’t face the legal process alone. Our team can review your case, explain your options, and build a claim that reflects the true cost of your injury. Contact us now for a free consultation—there’s no fee unless we win.
