I Fell at a Grocery Store: Now What? Your Rights and Next Steps

Grocery stores are prime locations for New Haven slip and fall accidents due to constant foot traffic, spills, and condensation. If you are injured in a supermarket, follow these steps immediately to protect your health and your legal rights:

1. Report the Fall and Create a Paper Trail

This is the most crucial step. You need an official, documented record of the incident.

• Notify Management: Immediately ask to speak to the store manager or person in charge. Do not leave the store without reporting the fall.
• Request an Incident Report: Insist that the manager fill out a formal, written incident report. Get a copy of this report, or at least the report number and the manager’s full name.
• Stick to the Facts: When you explain the accident, only state how and where you fell (e.g., “I fell in Aisle 4 near the frozen foods display”). Do not discuss your injuries or apologize.

2. Document the Scene Before It’s Cleaned Up

Grocery store employees are trained to quickly clean up hazards. Take out your phone and document everything you can.

• Take Photos of the Hazard: Get close-up shots of the substance or defect that caused the fall (the puddle, the banana peel, the broken floor tile).
• Take Wide Shots: Capture the general area, including the location of your fall relative to shelves and displays.
• Look for Warning Signs: Were there “Wet Floor” signs posted? Photograph the area to show the absence of a warning sign, if applicable.
• Get Witness Contacts: Ask any bystanders (who are not with you) for their name and phone number.

3. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

Do not let the adrenaline fool you into thinking you are fine.

• Call 911/Go to ER: If the injury is severe, call for an ambulance from the store.
• Visit a Doctor: If you decline the ambulance, go to urgent care or your primary physician that day. This creates a direct link between the date of the accident and the onset of your injury in your medical records, which is vital for your claim.

Warning: The store may offer you a gift card, a discount, or offer to pay your immediate co-pay. Do not accept any form of compensation or sign any paperwork, as this could be used as a release of your liability claim.