Can I Sue a Restaurant in Brooklyn for a Slip and Fall?

Brooklyn is home to numerous restaurants, and the average resident eats out at least a few times per week. The Office of the New York State Comptroller also states that Brooklyn’s restaurant industry employs almost 50,000 people. While these restaurants offer delicious meals and amazing experiences, some are also surprisingly dangerous. The nature of serving food makes spills especially likely, and slips and falls are relatively common. Can a Brooklyn premises liability lawyer help if you suffered injuries at a restaurant?

Examples of Slips and Falls in Restaurants 

Slips and falls can occur in various ways at restaurants. For example, a spilled drink can cause a patron to lose their footing while heading for the exit. This might cause them to fall onto their hip, causing a life-altering fracture.

Aside from beverages, water can easily pool across walking areas. In one case, a dishwasher accidentally spilled water across a floor while transporting wet dishes across the restaurant. This water caused someone to slip and fall when exiting the washroom.

Aside from liquids, various other hazards can cause patrons to stumble and fall. An exposed electrical cable might cause a senior to trip, sending them hurtling toward a tile floor. This may cause a traumatic brain injury that proves fatal.

Food also represents a potential walking hazard. A discarded burger or tomato could cause someone to slip and fall. The victim may then fracture their arm while trying to cushion the impact. The classic example is a banana peel, which poses a very real threat (despite its trivial portrayal in cartoons and video games).

How Do I Prove Negligence After a Restaurant Slip and Fall? 

In order to prove negligence after a slip and fall, you must establish four “elements.” These include:

• Duty of care
• Breach of duty
• Causation
• Injuries

In simple terms, you must establish that the restaurant owner failed to take reasonable steps to protect you from foreseeable hazards. You must also show that this failure led directly to your injuries.

Finally, you need to prove that your injuries are real. This highlights the need to seek medical attention as soon as possible after your fall. If first responders do not arrive at the scene, have someone call an ambulance. See a doctor, and do not assume that your injuries will heal on their own. While your lawyers can help you gather certain evidence, you are responsible for seeing a doctor. This will create medical records that prove the existence of your injuries.

Key Takeaways 

• Restaurants may cause slips and falls in various ways
• Slips and falls can be fatal in some cases
• Seek medical attention immediately after a slip and fall at a restaurant

Can a Brooklyn Slip-and-Fall Lawyer Help After a Restaurant Injury? 

A slip-and-fall lawyer in Brooklyn may be able to help you pursue compensation if you slipped and fell at a restaurant. Restaurant owners and property owners are legally required to keep floors free from spills and walking hazards. These slips and falls can have life-altering consequences, and you are fully entitled to consider your legal options. Schedule your first consultation with Cohan Law, PLLC today to get started with an action plan.

Sources: 

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/traumatic-brain-injury/symptoms-causes/syc-20378557

mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hip-fracture/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20373472