Contrary to what you may initially think, there are several ways in which you can get hurt in a restaurant. So if you find yourself in this unfortunate situation, you must attempt to recover financial compensation to ensure that justice is served. Following along to find out how to fulfill the burden of proof for your restaurant accident claim and how one of the proficient Queens slip & fall accident attorneys of The Law Offices of George Poulos can guide you throughout the filing process.

What are the common causes of restaurant accidents in New York state?

When a restaurant owner, manager, or employee fails to live up to their legal responsibility in maintaining their property, someone is likely to get hurt. Notably, the most common type of restaurant accident is a slip and fall. A comprehensive list of examples read as follows:

  • Slip and fall:
    • Spilled drinks that leave slippery surfaces, especially when warning signs are not present.
    • Dropped food that leaves slippery surfaces, especially when warning signs are not present.
    • An unturned rug or mat.
    • Defective or broken stairwells.
    • Debris or damaged surfaces in the parking lot or on the sidewalk.
  • Burn injuries:
    • Hot plates.
    • Restaurant appliances.
    • Dysfunctional restaurant equipment.
  • Other injuries:
    • Exposure to toxic chemicals.
    • Potential safety hazards that are left unseen with insufficient lighting.
    • Loudspeakers in drive-thrus that lead to hearing loss.
    • Spoiled or rotten food that leads to food poisoning.
    • Bartenders that are over-serving alcohol that leads to alcohol poisoning.

How can I fulfill the burden of proof for a restaurant accident claim in New York state?

To recover compensation for your restaurant accident, you must be able to prove the negligence of the restaurant owner, manager, and/or employee. So, you must be able to argue either of the following in your personal injury claim:

  1. The restaurant owner, manager, and/or employee was aware of a hazard and did not fix it in time, causing your accident to occur.
  2. The restaurant owner, manager, and/or employee should have reasonably been aware of the hazard that caused your accident to occur.

And to satisfy this burden of proof, you must collect the following pieces of evidence immediately after your accident occurs:

  • A copy of the police report conducted at the scene of your accident.
  • Pictures and videos of your injuries, damages, and hazards that may have contributed to your accident.
  • Witness testimonies of your accident.
  • Surveillance camera footage of your accident occurring.
  • Medical documents and bills that name the date, time, and seriousness of your injuries.

For assistance with fulfilling the burden of proof, contact one of the talented Queens personal injury attorneys today.

Contact our Firm

The Law Offices of George Poulos is an experienced Workers’ Compensation, personal injury, and Social Security Disability law firm with offices in Queens and the Bronx. If you require strong legal representation, contact our firm today.