Richmond Food Lion Slip and Fall Lawyer

Food Lion operates hundreds of stores across the Mid-Atlantic, welcoming thousands of customers safely each year. However, visits to Food Lion can end in disaster when the store fails to maintain its premises. If you suffered a slip and fall injury because of a spill, cracked tile, or wet floor, you may be left with mounting medical bills and severe pain.

Under Virginia premises liability law, grocery store customers are classified as “invitees,” meaning the store owes you the highest duty of care to inspect for and fix hazards. Because Virginia’s strict contributory negligence rules can destroy your claim if you are blamed for even 1% of the fall, consulting an experienced Richmond personal injury lawyer immediately is critical.

Monge & Associates is here to help you stand up to corporate retailers and pursue the compensation you deserve.

Why Choose Monge & Associates

Cases against Food Lion can be complicated because you must show how the store fell short and caused your accident because of it. You need an attorney with experience, and Monge & Associates is the place to turn. 

Our legal team offers:

• Over 30 years of experience: We have been representing injured clients since 1993, and we have deep knowledge of local laws that apply, as well as extensive experience arguing cases in local courts. We understand the rules of evidence, the requirements for proving a claim in Richmond, and how to build strong cases.
• A track record of large verdicts and settlements: We have recovered more than $1 billion in compensation for our injured clients. Our goal is always to maximize the money you receive by presenting the strongest case possible and gathering clear proof of your losses. 
• Comprehensive resources: We know how to investigate accidents in Richmond stores, and we have the resources to do it. That includes a team of expert witnesses and investigators who will gather evidence to make sure your case is always trial-ready. 
• A commitment to injury victims: We only represent clients who have been injured, and we truly care about everyone who has been hurt and who turns to us for help. This shows in our past reviews. Our goal is to be responsible, present and supportive advocates who are always here to answer your questions and advise you throughout your claim.

Common Causes of Food Lion Slip and Fall Accidents 

Falls can happen for many different reasons in a Food Lion. However, certain causes of falls are especially common. Some of the most frequent reasons why falls happen in slip and falls include the following:

• Spilled liquids 
• Products in aisles
• Freshly mopped floors without warnings to patrons who could slip in the wet areas
• Entrance area hazards during inclement weather
• Elevation changes you don’t expect
• Cracked tiles or other damage in the floors
• Obstacles preventing you from navigating walkways
• Merchandise displays that make walking difficult or obstruct visibility
• Inadequate lighting in any parts of the store.
• Risks in the parking lot including potholes or ice

Proving Liability in Food Lion Slip and Fall Cases

If you believe that Food Lion was responsible for your slip and fall, you will need to prove liability. This means you have to show that:

• Food Lion had a duty of care to you: Premises liability laws apply. Under these laws, you are an invitee when you visit a supermarket, so you’re owed the highest duty of care. Food Lion must inspect the premises and correct or warn about any hazards they know about or should be aware of. 
• Food Lion breached the duty, and this breach harmed you: You must show the store fell short in fulfilling its duty and that you were hurt because of their failures. 
• You suffered damages: You need to show you experienced actual loss from the incident. 

It’s very important that you begin gathering evidence as soon as possible after an accident. 

That’s because many types of evidence, including security camera footage, photos of the area where the accident happened, and testimony from witnesses, may need to be continued immediately.  Otherwise, witnesses could forget, or security camera footage can be recorded over. 

Proving fault is also critical in Virginia because of the state’s contributory negligence rules, which bar you from recovery if you share fault. You need to be able to show that the store was the one to blame for the accident that occurred.

Monge & Associates understands how to gather the necessary evidence to build solid claims. We can send investigators to the scene, subpoena video footage and other documents like store maintenance records, and interview witnesses who are willing to testify on your behalf about what went wrong.

Injuries and Compensation in Food Lion Slip and Fall Cases 

Slips and falls can cause serious injuries. Some of the most common injuries resulting from falls at Food Lion include:

• Bone fractures
• Head trauma (often resulting in concussion or traumatic brain injury)
• Back injuries
• Soft tissue damage

If you suffer these or other injuries, Monge & Associates will help you work to obtain compensation for: 

• Medical expenses including expenses to date as well as future medical expenses you incur.
• Lost income and earning capacity, including any income you lose because your injuries limit your future work ability. 
• Pain and suffering, including compensation for all physical discomfort you experience as well as for your reduced quality of life
• Emotional distress, including payment for therapy and other treatment for PTSD, depression, and anxiety. 

Our firm is committed to fighting for you to maximize your compensation, and we’ll help you by putting together solid proof of loss, such as testimony from vocational experts and a pain diary we help you create. 

Slip and Fall FAQs

How long do I have to file a slip and fall lawsuit in Virginia?

Under Virginia Code § 8.01-243, you generally have exactly two years from the date of your slip and fall accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you miss this deadline, your claim will be permanently time-barred.

Can I get a settlement if I was partially at fault for my fall?

No. Virginia is a “pure contributory negligence” state. If an insurance adjuster or jury determines that you were even 1% at fault for your fall, such as not paying attention or wearing improper footwear, you are barred from recovering any compensation.

What is “constructive notice” in a Virginia premises liability case?

Constructive notice means that even if Food Lion claims they didn’t know about a spill, they can still be held liable if the hazard existed for a long enough time that a reasonable store inspection should have discovered and cleaned it up.

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Contact a Richmond Food Lion Slip and Fall Lawyer Today

Slip and fall injuries can cause permanent damage, and you should not have to pay for a grocery store’s negligence. At Monge & Associates, our dedicated Richmond slip and fall lawyers know how to take on major retailers like Food Lion. We understand how to secure surveillance footage, demand maintenance logs, and prove the store had “constructive notice” of the hazard that hurt you.

We offer compassionate, client-first representation, and because we operate on a contingency fee basis, you owe us no legal fees unless we win your case. If you or a loved one were injured in Richmond or anywhere in Virginia, contact us today to schedule your 100% free, no-obligation case evaluation.