Businesses in Atlanta have the responsibility to ensure that their customers are as safe as possible while they are on the premises. Potential hazards such as slippery and wet floors or faulty fixtures should be taken care of as soon as the problem is noticed in order to reduce the risk of injury to the customer. If they are not, and a customer is hurt as a result, he or she may be entitled to compensation from the business owner as a result of the business’s negligence.
A woman who was seriously injured after a slip-and-fall accident has filed a premises liability lawsuit against Home Depot. The woman says she was making her way into the store on September 8, 2012 when she slipped on a large puddle of water outside the door. The puddle was caused by heavy rainfall.
The woman claims that the store knew about the water and the risk it posed to customers, but failed to take any action to remedy it. This despite the fact that the Home Depot sells products designed just for that purpose. She also says that after she fell, the floor was mopped up, mats were put down and signs were placed warning customers of the wet floor.
She is suing for over $150,000 for compensatory and punitive damages that include her medical expenses for a herniated disc, fractured sacrum and pain in her neck and back as well as compensation for her lost wages as she was unable to work while she received treatment.
Source: The Pennsylvania Record, “Customer who sustained fractured sacrum, herniated disc during fall on wet floor sues Home Depot,” Jon Campisi, April 28, 2014
