The last thing people expect when enjoying a fun dinner out is to become seriously injured in a restaurant accident. Unfortunately, slip and fall accidents, burn injuries, food poisoning, and other dangerous incidents can cause serious injuries.
When guests or workers become injured in restaurant accidents, they may have the right to obtain compensation. The Dallas premises liability attorneys at Rochelle McCullough, LLP are dedicated to helping you receive the full compensation you deserve. We will guide you through the claim process if you’ve been seriously injured in a restaurant accident.
Slip and Fall Accidents in Restaurants
Slip, trip, and fall accidents are some of the most common restaurant accidents. The property owner’s negligence causes most. From dining areas to kitchens, slippery floors are more common in restaurants than they should be. On a busy day, many factors can contribute to slip-and-fall accidents, including the following:
- Condensation from the air conditioning unit
- Freshly mopped, wet floors
- Narrow walkways due to chairs and tables
- Obstructions in the flooring, such as signage or electric cords
- Kitchen grease
- Multiple elevations
- Slipped food on walkways
- Poor visibility from glare, dim lighting, or bright lights
- Worn-out or loose mats and rugs
- Changes in floor elevation
- Poorly maintained toilets and sinks
- Dangerous designed, constructed, or maintained staircases
Fall accidents can cause devastating, lifelong injuries or even death. According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI), approximately 3 million employees and 1 million restaurant guests become injured at restaurants annually. Additionally, approximately 20,000 people die every year from fall accidents. Severe injuries caused by slip and fall or trip and fall accidents can cause severe injuries, including hip fractures, brain injuries, bruises, and lacerations. Medical bills can easily exceed $100,000.
Burn Injuries in Restaurants
Burns are among the most common types of restaurant injuries. Cooking with oils can cause oil-based burns to workers and guests. When servers handle plates that are far too hot, or customers eat food that is steaming. Sometimes, servers may not warn customers about the scorching temperatures of food or drinks they place in front of them. Customers may take a bite of food or sip of scalding hot water or coffee and suffer serious burn injuries.
Restaurant owners are responsible for training servers and kitchen staff to prevent burn injuries. They should also provide kitchen staff with safe tools and procedures to avoid burn injuries while cooking. When their negligence causes burn injuries, victims can pursue compensation from the employer.
Food Poisoning Injuries in Restaurants
If you become ill from the food you eat at a restaurant, the likely culprit is food poisoning. Food poisoning is usually caused by viral, bacterial, or parasitic illnesses, commonly caused by foodborne illnesses. Fresh produce, including vegetables, nuts, and fruits, accounts for many food poisoning outbreaks. Meat, poultry, and eggs are common carriers of foodborne illness, with poultry being the deadliest culprit.
Restaurant employees can contaminate food when they don’t wash their hands before returning to work. Similarly, foodborne illnesses can spread when employees don’t wear gloves, beard covers, and hair nets while preparing food. Finally, the presence of mold, improper food storage, and dangerous food handling can also cause customers to become ill. You can hold the restaurant that caused your food poisoning liable by pursuing a premises liability claim.
Common Restaurant Injuries Suffered By Restaurant Workers
Every year, thousands of restaurant workers suffer serious injuries while at work. Sharp knives, slicers, and broken plates and glasses can cause cuts, scrapes, lacerations, and puncture wounds. Sharp edges in kitchens and dining rooms can have sharp edges that can cause injuries to workers walking by. Restaurants are often dangerous places to work because of servers flying in every direction, doors swinging open, and sightlines obstructed with trays and dishes. It isn’t surprising that restaurant workers are prone to severe foot problems or workplace injuries. Lifting boxes, heaving drink trays, and standing for hours can cause strains, sprains, and muscle injuries.
Workers are also at an increased risk of eye injuries from cleaning agents, splashed oil or grease, and sanitizing chemicals. When restaurant workers become injured on the job, they can pursue benefits from workers’ compensation benefits. When their employers cause their injuries, they can pursue a lawsuit against their employer and any other at-fault party.
Holding Restaurants Liable for Restaurant Injuries
Restaurant owners are responsible for ensuring the safety of their premises for all, including workers and guests. They should regularly inspect their floors for potential hazards and promptly address spills or leaks. Additionally, they should maintain a safe working environment for their staff.
When a restaurant owner’s negligence leads to an accident and subsequent injury, the injured party can seek compensation through a premises liability lawsuit. Another avenue for compensation is a claim through the restaurant’s commercial insurance policy. In both cases, the injured party must establish certain elements to prove their case.
- Your presence at the restaurant was legal
- An accident or dangerous condition caused your injury
- The restaurant management knew or should have known of the dangerous condition
- They did not correct the danger before the accident or warn you
- The cause of your injuries was preventable
- You suffered damages because of the restaurant accident
Victims of restaurant injuries can pursue economic and non-economic damages through a personal injury lawsuit. Economic damages are easily quantifiable and include medical expenses, lost income, disability-related expenses, property damage, and other types of injuries. They can also pursue non-economic damages for pain and suffering.
Contact Our Dallas Restaurant Liability Lawyers For a Free Consultation
If you’ve been injured in a restaurant accident, seeking legal representation is a crucial step in your journey to recovery. The attorneys at Rochelle McCullough, LLP will meticulously review your case, clarify your legal rights, initiate an investigation, and devise a robust legal strategy. Contact us to arrange an initial consultation and discover how we can champion your cause.
We extend our personal injury legal services to help clients throughout Texas, including Dallas, & Fort Worth, as well as in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Committed to advocating for your rights and securing the compensation you deserve.