What to Do If You Slip and Fall in a Restaurant in Colorado

If you have suffered injuries after a slip and fall accident at a Colorado restaurant, you need to take immediate steps to ensure your safety and well-being. It’s essential to consult with a personal injury attorney experienced in premises liability cases, as they can guide you through what to do if you slip and fall in a restaurant in Colorado. An attorney can help assess liability and pursue compensation for your injuries, medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Remember that time is of the essence when pursuing a claim, so take action promptly to protect your rights.

How Common Is It to Slip and Fall in a Restaurant?

Slip and fall accidents are relatively common at places that serve food and beverages. The National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI) reports that slip and fall accidents account for over 1,000,000 emergency room visits in the United States annually. 

Causes of Restaurant Slip and Falls

Slip and fall accidents at a restaurant can occur due to a combination of factors. 

• Spills. In the bustling environment of a restaurant, spills are almost inevitable, whether from toppled drinks, dropped food, or kitchen mishaps. When not promptly cleaned, these substances create slippery surfaces that pose a significant hazard to customers and staff.
• Inadequate maintenance. Wear and tear on flooring like tile or linoleum can result in uneven surfaces or damaged areas, increasing the likelihood of accidents. The absence of routine inspections and repairs can exacerbate this issue, and improper cleaning methods or slippery floor cleaning products can contribute to hazardous conditions.
• Poorly designed floor plans and lighting. Poorly designed layouts and crowded spaces within a restaurant can obstruct walkways and congested areas, increasing the chances of someone tripping or slipping. Dim or inadequate lighting can also obscure potential hazards and make it difficult for individuals to see where they are walking.
• Poor footwear. Insufficient slip-resistant footwear for restaurant staff can be another factor. Employees and patrons wearing shoes with little traction may be more susceptible to slipping. 
• Insufficient warnings. Finally, a lack of warning signs or barriers to identify and cordon off wet or slippery areas can leave patrons unaware of potential dangers.

To mitigate these causes, restaurants should implement rigorous cleaning and maintenance routines. They should prioritize staff training on safety measures, maintain well-designed layouts, ensure proper lighting, and invest in slip-resistant flooring and footwear where necessary.

Restaurant Liability for a Slip and Fall

In Colorado, proving liability for a slip and fall accident involves demonstrating that the restaurant or its employees were negligent in maintaining safe premises. 

Restaurants have a legal duty to maintain their premises in a reasonably safe condition for customers. This includes regularly inspecting for hazards, promptly addressing spills, and taking preventive measures to avoid accidents. 

To hold the restaurant liable, you must show that their negligence directly led to the fall. This could involve demonstrating that they knew or should have known about a dangerous condition and failed to take appropriate action. You must also prove that the hazard was the direct cause of the fall. Establishing a causal link between the restaurant’s negligence and the injury is essential. 

Slip and Fall at a Restaurant: Does Comparative Negligence Apply?

Colorado follows a modified comparative negligence rule. This rule states that if you are partially responsible for the fall, your compensation may be reduced by your percentage of fault. However, if your degree of fault exceeds 50%, you will not recover any damages.

What Can I Do If I Slip and Fall in a Restaurant?

If you experience a slip and fall at a restaurant, taking immediate steps to protect yourself and any potential legal claims is essential. 

• Seek medical attention for your injuries, even minor ones;
• Document the accident scene by taking photographs or notes, including any hazardous conditions or obstacles that contributed to the fall; 
• Report the incident to the restaurant management and ensure a report is filed;
• Obtain contact information from any witnesses; 
• Preserve any evidence—such as the clothing or footwear you were wearing at the time; and
• Avoid making statements that could be interpreted as accepting fault for the accident. 

Taking these basic steps can help you maximize the value of your claim.

Damages After Slip and Fall Accidents

Under Colorado law, suing a restaurant for a slip and fall accident could result in receiving certain types of damages to compensate for your losses. These damages can encompass both economic and noneconomic losses.

• Medical expenses. You can claim compensation for medical bills resulting from the slip and fall. This includes expenses for hospitalization, surgeries, doctor visits, medications, physical therapy, and any future medical treatments related to the injury.
• Lost wages. If your injury keeps you from working, you can seek damages for lost wages. This may include past and future income you would have earned had the accident not occurred.
• Pain and suffering. Colorado law allows compensation for physical pain, emotional distress, and suffering due to slip and fall injuries. These noneconomic damages can be challenging to quantify, but they are essential to many personal injury claims.
• Property damage. If personal property, such as a smartphone or other belongings, was damaged during the fall, you may seek compensation to cover the cost of repair or replacement.

Consulting with a personal injury attorney knowledgeable about Colorado laws is advisable for a thorough evaluation of potential damages in these cases. 

Did You Slip and Fall While at a Colorado Restaurant?

If you recently suffered injuries from a restaurant slip and fall, reach out to the dedicated Colorado lawyers at Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. We have over a century of combined experience helping to connect accident victims with meaningful compensation. We handle every case as though it were our own, conducting thorough investigations, meticulously gathering evidence, and presenting a compelling case to the insurer to secure a favorable settlement. However, as experienced trial attorneys, we’re also prepared to litigate your case in front of a judge or jury when justice demands it. To schedule a free consultation today, call Sloat, Nicholson & Hoover, P.C. at 303-447-1144. You can also connect with us through our secure contact form.