What to Do After a Slip and Fall at a Grocery Store in Ohio
A quick grocery run can turn into a serious medical emergency if you slip and fall due to a dangerous condition in the store. Whether it’s a spilled drink at Kroger, a leaky freezer at Walmart, or a freshly mopped floor with no warning sign at Target, these accidents can lead to serious injuries — and you may be entitled to compensation.
At Plymale Partnership, we help injured clients throughout Columbus, Franklin County, and surrounding areas recover after falls at stores like Dollar General, Giant Eagle, and other big-box or local retailers. If you’ve suffered a slip and fall in one of these stores, here’s what you need to know.
1. Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health comes first. Even if you don’t think you’re seriously hurt, get checked out by a medical professional. Many slip and fall injuries — such as concussions, soft tissue damage, or spinal injuries — don’t fully appear until hours or days after the fall. Prompt medical care creates documentation that can strengthen your injury claim.
2. Report the Incident to Store Management
Before leaving the scene, notify a manager or employee. If your fall happened at Walmart, Target, Kroger, Dollar General, or Giant Eagle, ask the store manager to complete an incident report and request a copy for your records. Be calm and polite, but stick to the facts — don’t make assumptions or admit fault. If they refuse to document the incident, write down their name and get contact info from any witnesses.
3. Document the Scene and Your Injuries
If you can, take photos or videos of:
– The cause of your fall (wet floors, clutter, uneven surfaces)
– Any missing or poorly placed warning signs
– Your visible injuries (bruises, swelling, bleeding)
– Store conditions — especially at high-traffic stores like Kroger, Walmart, or Giant Eagle
Also get names and phone numbers of witnesses. Their statements can support your claim later on.
4. Don’t Give a Statement to the Store’s Insurance Company
If you fell at a major chain like Target, Walmart, or Dollar General, their corporate insurance team will act fast — and they’re not on your side. They may contact you for a statement or offer a quick settlement.
Don’t give any recorded statements or accept money without first speaking to a slip and fall lawyer. Anything you say could be used to reduce or deny your claim.
5. Understand Ohio Premises Liability Law
To hold the store accountable, you must prove:
– The dangerous condition (like a spill or hazard) existed;
– The store knew or should have known about it; and
– They failed to warn you or fix it in a reasonable time.
For example:
– A wet floor with no warning sign at Kroger
– A dropped product in an aisle left unattended at Dollar General
– Ice tracked in near the front entrance of Walmart in winter
– Damaged flooring at Giant Eagle that hadn’t been repaired
These are all situations where the store might be held liable.
6. Why You Need a Columbus Slip and Fall Attorney
Chain stores have legal teams ready to deny responsibility. At Plymale Partnership, we fight to protect your rights. We act quickly to:
– Obtain store surveillance footage before it’s erased
– Interview witnesses
– Review maintenance records
– Work with safety experts to prove negligence
We’ve handled claims against Kroger, Walmart, Target, Giant Eagle, and more — and we know what it takes to win.
7. You May Be Entitled to Compensation For:
– ER visits and ongoing medical treatment
– Physical therapy or surgery
– Lost income and diminished earning capacity
– Pain and emotional distress
– Long-term disability or impairment
Time Is Limited — Don’t Wait
Under Ohio law, you typically have 2 years to file a personal injury claim. But waiting can hurt your case — especially if crucial evidence like store surveillance video is lost.
Injured in a Slip and Fall at Kroger, Walmart, Target, or Another Store in Columbus? Call Plymale Partnership.
Whether you slipped at Giant Eagle, Target, or Dollar General, we’re here to help. We’ve recovered compensation for clients hurt in stores across Columbus and Franklin County, and we’ll do the same for you.
Call today or contact us online for a free consultation.
You pay nothing unless we win your case.
