If I slip and fall at Publix what steps do I need to take to pursue an injury claim for compensation?


Attorney Jason MacriAuthor: Attorney Jason Macri

Publix is Florida’s most prevalent grocery store with over 700 locations throughout the state. Every year, hundreds of people become injured in Publix stores because they slip and fall on a slippery substance present on Publix’s floors. Usually, a Publix manager will respond to the scene of the fall and inquire as to whether emergency medical attention is needed. If a person requests emergency care, a Publix employee will typically call 911. If a person does not request emergency care however, Publix employees will not call 911. Instead, they will gather up the injured person’s contact information and create an incident report. The injured person is then typically told that they will be contacted by Publix risk management. Most people who slip and fall at Publix want to know if they will be provided medical attention. Typically, they are told that Publix risk management will help them get medical care. Usually, however, that does not happen.

If a person becomes injured while shopping at Publix, they should get medical attention as soon as they possibly can. If a person becomes injured and does not want to be picked up by an ambulance, which some people find embarrassing, they should seek emergency care at a hospital or urgent care center as soon as possible. Typically, slip and fall injuries will only get worse over time. Waiting to get medical treatment is not only bad for your health but is also bad for any potential case you may have against Publix.

It is very important for a person who becomes injured at Publix to find out what caused their injury. It may have been a puddle of water or a piece of fruit which has been left on the floor. Whatever the reason for the fall, it is extremely important to not only find out what it was that caused the fall, but also where the substance or debris may have come from. If the substance is a puddle, attempt to find out what is causing the puddle. For example, there may be a roof leak or a leaky freezer that is creating puddles in the store. If there is debris on the floor such as a piece of smashed fruit, try and determine where in the store that fruit came from and how it may have gotten on the floor. As your lawyers, we are required to not only prove what caused you to fall, but we must also prove that Publix had notice of the substance or debris. This is why it is very important to gather up as much information about what caused you to fall as possible.

Witnesses are very important to any case, but they are particularly important to any injury case. Having an independent witness testify as to what they saw at the time of your fall can be extremely helpful in proving your case. For example, let’s say another Publix customer was in the isle where you fell, several minutes before you got there, and noticed that there was a puddle of water on the floor. If that customer reported the puddle to Publix employees, and Publix did nothing to remove the puddle, it will be relatively easy to show that Publix had notice of the puddle. Witnesses are helpful even if they cannot help you prove notice. Just having an independent person verify how you fell or what caused you to fall is important for your case.

Try your best to document what caused you to fall. Try and take pictures of the dangerous condition if possible. Gather as much information about what happened as possible. Any piece of information can potentially help your lawyer win your case for you. Always remember that it is better to have some evidence than to have none whatsoever.

Don’t expect Publix to help you get medical treatment. It is not Publix’s best interest to have you receive medical treatment. In fact, it would be best for Publix if someone who fell in their store got no medical treatment at all. If a person who gets injured at Publix gets no medical treatment after they fall, that person will be missing a necessary element of their claim and will not be able to be successful. Publix knows this and will do their best to give you the impression that they will provide you with medical attention. Unfortunately, Publix will not help a person who has become injured in their stores get the medical attention that they need.

If you become injured at Publix, get medical attention right away. After seeking emergency medical care, call a lawyer. Only an experienced personal injury lawyer will know exactly what to do to help preserve your claim against Publix. Publix has a team of experienced lawyers on their side and you will need an experienced lawyer to help you successfully prove your claim. Our lawyers have successfully handled hundreds of cases against Publix. We offer free consultations and are always available to take your call.



22 comments

Sunday, June 5, 2016
Jose B.:

My wife felt in Publix on March 25 this year and now she got a pain in the knee. We have taken photos of the floor that in part was broken that causes the fall. What should we do now?

Friday, June 10, 2016
Attorney Jason Macri:

HI Jose,

Where is the Publix located? What caused your wife to fall? Has your wife received any medical treatment? Have you been contacted by Publix risk management? Please call us so that we can let you know how we can help.

Wednesday, July 26, 2017
Patricia S.:

I tripped in Publix & it was because of my sandals, is Publix liable for my medical bills or not?

Thursday, July 27, 2017
Attorney Jason Macri:

HI Patricia,

When and at which Publix location did this occur? Was your fall solely caused by your sandals? If so, then Publix is not likely liable to you for any of your damages. Please feel free to call us if you wish to discuss this matter further.

Wednesday, September 13, 2017
Nancy T.:

I fell yesterday at a Publix parking garage after buying groceries. I slipped & then tripped over a curb. The fire rescue came. I didn’t go to the hospital as I had groceries. I am at Mt. Sinai ER right now. I am having terrible pain in my right arm & cannot use my hand. Also hurt my right knee, but it’s not too bad today.

Monday, September 18, 2017
Attorney Jason Macri:

Hi Nancy,

What caused you to slip and then trip? Was there a substance of some type on the ground? If so, what was the substance? Do you know if the parking garage was owed by Publix or was it a public parking garage? Have you been diagnosed with any injuries? If so, what have you been diagnosed with? Please feel free to call us so that we can let you know how we may be able to help.

Monday, October 16, 2017
Victoria:

I slipped on sugar on the floor at Publix and had a very nasty fall. I refused to call 911. This happened Saturday. Should I be checked by my Primary Doctor or ER?

Monday, October 16, 2017
Attorney Jason Macri:

HI Victoria,

Where is the Publix located? Were there any witness to the fall that you know of? Was your fall captured on store surveillance? Why did you refuse ER? What are your current pain complaints? To answer your question directly, if you feel that you have been injured then of course you should get medical treatment as soon as possible. Please feel free to call us so that we can let you know how we may be able to help.

Thursday, January 25, 2018
Marianna B.:

I fell very hard in Publix on January 10th this year. While I was walking back over to the deli from the sea food dept. I slipped and fell very hard in the produce section. It felt like I had fallen on a banana peel or some black ice. It happened soo quickly. I just laid there for a few minutes and 2 customers helped me to my feet. I was very embarrassed and in acute pain. I was a little lethargic and just wanted to get away. I didn’t look to see what was on the floor, however, there was a camera right above where I fell.

I went to see my PCP (Kaiser) the very next day. I am currently under the care of my doctor for my injuries and will need to get an x-ray done on my left hip. Publix called me 3 times since that accident and offered to pay me up to $750 to cover the of some my my medical expenses. I was not given a copy of the incident report and was told by their Risk management person that Publix was not responsible for my fall. I hae not retained legal council yet but have spoken to a local attorney who was referred by a friend for advise. They declined to take my case but did not offer to give details.

Friday, February 23, 2018
Loretta Howard:

I was in Publix and 2 bags of 2lb bags a grits fall off top shelf and hit me in the head. They offer me $250.00 should I take this?

Saturday, June 9, 2018
Irene V.:

I fell in Publix parking lot on 6/8/2018 at about 5pm after shopping. Slipped on the white strip that is at the end of the road, the stop line. It was raining and this caused the paint to be slick. I had some difficulty standing up after and fell again in process as my foot slipped under me. There is a bruise starting to show on my left foot and pain in my back. Would Publix be responsible for X-ray/we? Thinking I will go in the morning if gets worse.

Sunday, June 10, 2018
Attorney Jason Macri:

HI Irene,

Where is the Publix located? Have you received any medical treatment at this point? Has anyone tested the white strip to determine whether it was excessively slippery? Do you know if there is any surveillance footage of your fall? Were you with anyone at the time of this incident? Please feel free to call us so that we can let you know how we may be able to help.

Sunday, September 23, 2018
Linda D.:

Thursday night Sept 20 I was in check out lane in Publix store. I do not know what happened as I did not see the person behind me but my head exploded with pain as a huge bottle of wine fell on top of my left foot. The wine bottle evidently came straight down and hit the top of my left foot. I was in shock w/the pain. I took off my shoe to see the swelling and bruising start on my foot. I have no memory of how the Mgt and another person got me over to the front of the store and attended to me. I did fill out an incident report but my memory is sparse. My fiancee took me to the ER because I could not put my foot down to walk. x-ray was taken and it was sketch as some x-rays are because of all the bones in your foot.

At best I had maybe a chipped bone and numerous contusions. Dr put a splint on my foot and leg and I left in crutches. Publix has attempted to call me but I won’t talk to them until I know how this is going to turn out. Is publix responsible for my injury? After all I did not go to their store and expect to get hurt there by their products.

Monday, September 24, 2018
Attorney Jason Macri:

HI Linda, where is the Publix located? Where did the wine bottle come from? Did the person behind you drop the bottle? Was the person able to tell you how this incident occurred? Were you with anyone at the time of the incident? If so, did they see what happened? Do you know if the incident was captured on surveillance? If so, have you been shown the footage or told what the footage captured? Have you been given a diagnosis of your foot injury? If so, what is the diagnosis? Please feel free to call us so that we can let you know how we may be able to help.

Tuesday, January 7, 2020
Melody F.:

I slipped and feel on a huge motor oil spot outside of the publix store. I sustained some pretty nasty and painful injuries. Would they be responsible for my medical bills and ruined items?

Wednesday, January 8, 2020
Attorney Jason Macri:

Hi Melody,

When did this happen and where is the Publix located? Was the spill in the parking lot of the Publix or was it in some other area? Did you photograph the spill? How long had the spill been there? Is there any surveillance footage of your fall? Are there any witness to your fall? What are your injuries? Feel free to call us so we can let you know how we may be able to help.

Thursday, November 19, 2020
Natasha A.:

Yesterday I slipped on something wet on the floor and fell at Publix in St Augustine. I was so embarrassed (and anxiety went through the roof) that I didn’t notice the pain in my toe and hurried as fast as I could to leave. 2 managers walking saw the incident happen and I pointed at the wet spots on the floor and they both immediately wiped it up after asking if I was okay. Today it is hurting, bruises, swollen, and stiff. I am going to urgent care after work to make sure that the toe is not broken. Publix has already called me to check up on me and take down my information. They said corporate will be in touch with me. If it turns out that my toe is broken will they be responsible for my doctor visit and maybe more?

Friday, November 20, 2020
Attorney Jason Macri:

Hi Natasha,

Sorry to hear about what happened to you at Publix. Did you slip and fall or was it a slip without a fall? Were there any witnesses other than the 2 managers that saw the incident? If so, do you have the contact info of the other witnesses? Do you know what the wet substance was or where it came from? Did you get any of the substance on your clothing? If so, what part of your clothing was wet and what color was the substance? Have you been able to find out how your toe has been injured? If so, what is your toe injury? Please feel free to call us so that we can let you know how we may be able to help.

Saturday, July 3, 2021
Randy:

I tripped on one of the rugs in produce department that was wrinkled up and a when I did I noticed one of the managers fixing that rug and another one near the incident that had a wejnkle as well. I haven’t been to get medical attention because I don’t have insurance or money for such expenses. It’s been 3 days and my ankle knee shoulder elbow and back are worsening. I tried contacting risk management for publix and was told they would be in contact. What should I do?

Monday, July 5, 2021
Attorney Jason Macri:

Hi Randy,

Where is the Publix located and what is the date of this incident? Were there any witnesses to this incident? How far away from the area of your fall was the manager? Did the manager witness your fall? Did the manager complete an incident report after your fall? Have you received any medical treatment since the day you wrote us? If so, what are your injuries? Please feel free to call us so that we can let you know how we may be able to help.

Sunday, September 11, 2022
Jenny:

Hello,
Today around 7 o’clock I was rushing to get my phone that I had left in my car because I was buying money order and the bank declined so I had to call the bank to get the transaction approved. As I was walking out I slipped and fell on my right know and hit my right elbow on the door right at the entrance. There was a coin on the floor but I didn’t have my phone with me. When I came back I didn’t see the coin anymore and the store I asked the ladies who work there, if they saw when I felt and one of them said yes and mentioned to them my right arm was hurting but they didn’t say anything to help me, I didn’t know I was supposed to make a claim or anything, but the cameras saw the whole thing because it was right at the entrance. Is there anything I can do if I didn’t make a report but my left arm is hurting.

Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Attorney Jason Macri:

Hi Jenny,

Where is the store located? Did anyone from the store create an incident report? Were you able to get the name and contact info of the person who witnessed your fall? Are there any other witnesses that you are aware of and, if so, were you able to get their contact info? Have you spoken with the manager of the store? If so, did the manager create an incident report? Has risk management from the store attempted to contact you? Have you received any medical attention related to your left arm? If so, has any injury been identified? Please feel free to call us so that we can let you know how we may be able to help.

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