Going out to eat is one of America’s favorite past times. It’s a chance to can catch up with family and enjoy the company of friends. It’s a chance to taste some eclectic food and unwind after a long work week. Unfortunately, dining out also has risks and sometimes it can even be deadly. Serious and catastrophic premises liability accidents can occur when property owners, managers, servers, and cooks are negligent.
Restaurant owners have a responsibility to ensure that their restaurants are safe and that their customers are taken care of. They must warn people of hidden dangers and ensure that meal preparation is done safely and within accordance with health and safety inspection regulations. If a restaurant owner is negligent, then they can be held accountable for the injuries their negligence has caused.
When Restaurant Owners are Negligent
There are numerous ways a restaurant owner can be negligent. When this occurs, serious and often life-threatening injuries can occur. How are restaurant owners negligent?
Failure to label ingredients properly for people with known allergies- Cross-contamination of food allergens
- Failure to provide a safe parking lot
- Failure to ensure safe passageway from the eating area to the restroom
- Defective bar stools or tables
- Inadequate lighting
- Negligent security
- Not mopping up wet or slippery floors properly
- Failure to ensure safe food preparation resulting in severe food poisoning
- Failure to ensure safe food storage
- Assault by an employee
Failure to label ingredients properly for people with known allergiesWhen is a Restaurant Owner Responsible?
A restaurant owner is not responsible for every injury that occurs on their property, only the ones that were caused by a foreseen event. This means that the restaurant owner must have known of the dangers and not taken appropriate action. If the owner failed to place floor mats at doors, failed to repair broken handrails or chairs, or failed to follow basic food preparation safety guidelines, then they can be found responsible.
When is a Restaurant Owner Not Responsible?
While the restaurant owner has a responsibility to provide the highest level of care to their invitees or customers, they are not always responsible when an injury occurs. If another patron injures you, or if the court determines that your actions led to your injuries, then the restaurant owner may not be found liable. For example: if you ignored wet floor warning signs or if you were drunk and fell down in the parking lot, the restaurant owner may not be held accountable.
Due to the complexities that often surround premises liability cases, it is important that you speak to an experienced and skilled premises liability accident attorney as soon as you are able. Your attorney will need to investigate the details of the accident to determine if you have cause to file a claim. Without an attorney on your side, it is often difficult to collect the money you truly need.
Have You Been Injured While Dining Out?
Have you suffered an injury in a restaurant? At Schnipper Law, P.C., our Atlanta premises liability attorneys know that premises liability accidents are serious and can cause a lifetime of pain and suffering. From food poisoning to serious slip and fall accidents, injured customers have a legal right to file claims against negligent restaurant owners. Call Schnipper Law P.C., at (404) 545-5845 for a free initial consultation and review of your case. We can help you recover the money you need to put your life back together after a serious accident.
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