Because of the way that injuries resulting from slip and fall accidents are portrayed in the media, it is easy to assume that most slip and falls are trifles that do not cause significant injuries. However, a major verdict against McDonalds for a slip and fall in the popular fast food restaurant belies the notion that falls are “no big deal.” McDonalds was ordered to a pay a judgment in excess of $5 million by a federal grand jury for a slip and fall accident in which a 59 year-old woman suffered a severe injury to her spine.
The case illustrates the importance of carefully analyzing the maintenance policies of a business when debris, spilled liquids or other foreign substances on the floor cause a patron to suffer serious injuries in a fall. The federal jury in the McDonalds slip and fall case determined that the fast food restaurant failed to follow its own policies for conducting inspections and cleaning up spills. The experienced Mississippi slip and fall attorneys at Barrett Law recognize the importance of conducting a careful review of company maintenance policies in slip and fall accident cases.
The accident happened in a store owned by a franchisee who received a manual containing proper practices to prevent slip and fall accidents caused by spilled beverages, condiments, and similar items. The guidelines indicated that the manager of the store should perform regular periodic checks of the floors and nightly checks as well. The purpose of the checks is to discover spills of food or beverage that could make the floor surfaces slippery and to inspect for buildup of residue on the floor that may make it slick.
There was evidence produced at trial that this particular McDonalds was insufficiently staffed so that the inspections were not conducted. The jury found that the failure to comply with the stores own policy to conduct the inspections resulted in the accumulation of a greasy coating on the floor that made it slippery. The woman was awarded over $2.6 million for economic damages, such as lost income and diminished future earnings and $3 million for non-economic damages like diminished quality of life and pain and suffering.
When our Mississippi slip and fall attorneys at Barrett Law represent clients in accidents where they are injured in a fall, we conduct an investigation to determine whether the fall was caused by debris, liquid or other foreign substance on the floor as well as the duration of time that the hazard was present. Our investigation also typically will include talking to witnesses and store employees, reviewing surveillance footage, reviewing the incident reports, identifying past accidents, evaluating procedures employed by the property owner to avoid such accidents, and other relevant factors.
The accident victim in the McDonald’s slip and fall case suffered a burst compression fracture to her vertebrae at the L1 level that required two separate operations. If you or someone you love has been injured in a slip and fall accident or someone close you has died, our experienced Mississippi slip and fall attorneys at Barrett Law can investigate your claim and advise you regarding your rights. At the Barrett Law Offices PLLC, our experienced Mississippi personal injury lawyers represent injury victims throughout Mississippi. Our law firm has roots that reach back 75 years so contact us today for your free initial consultation at (662) 834-2376 to see how we can help.
