Going food shopping is something we do on a regular basis, whether we need something last minute or plan out an entire month’s worth of groceries. Some trips to the supermarket can be stressful when there are long lines, unavailable items, and staff that are not as helpful as they should be. However, being assaulted by store employees is not something anyone can anticipate when they stop by their local grocer’s.
Store owners in California have a duty of care to keep their customers from being injured. Thus, it’s imperative that they maintain safe conditions on the premises, like keeping the floors clean and ensuring that objects are securely affixed to the walls and ceilings. But there is another type of danger that exist at supermarkets, one that involves employees who are inexperienced, exercise poor judgment, or have a prior history of violence and other unlawful behavior. Injuries caused by a security guard or any other employee at a supermarket may be grounds for a lawsuit against the owner of the store.
The road to recovery from a physical assault is long and painful, and compensation is needed to pay for medical bills, lost wages, and other financial constraints. The assault and battery lawsuit lawyers of Normandie are here to help, so contact us right away if you were assaulted by an employee at any of the following grocery stores:
- Albertson’s
- Ralph’s
- Trader Joe’s
- Whole Foods Market
- Aldi
- Stater Bros. Markets
- Kroger
- Gelson’s Market
- Pavilions
- Safeway
- H-E-B Grocery
- Amazon Fresh
- 99 Ranch Market
- HK Market
- Walmart
- SF Supermarket
- None Such farm
- Smart & Final
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$1.9 Million
$600,000
$1.5 Million
$54 Million
$525,000
$1.2 Million
Injuries from being Assaulted at a Supermarket
Assault and battery incidents can cause severe injuries with permanent complications that make it difficult for the victim to live a healthy and productive life. Due to the extent of their injuries and the traumatic nature of the incident, victims can also end up with mental health disorders, which may be serious enough to merit compensation, like emotional distress.
Physical injuries and health conditions commonly associated with physical assaults include:
- Bruises and scratches
- Broken nose
- Eye injuries, like retinal detachment
- Hip fracture
- Concussion and other brain injuries
- Joint dislocation
- Dental damage
- Rupturing of internal organs
- Neck or spinal cord injury
- Paralysis
- Coma
- Death
Legal Basis for a Store Employee Assault and Battery Claim
Assault and battery is usually blamed on the person who committed the attack, and that’s certainly true if you were harmed by an employee while you were at a supermarket. But who you can go after in a lawsuit is more complicated issue, since employers may be liable for the actions of their workers if it results in bodily harm to another party.
For example, a security guard at a grocery store may stop someone that they suspect of shoplifting. The security guard is allowed to confront them and ask to examine their receipt, purchases, purse, etc., but they cannot proceed with a search if the individual refuses. In this situation, the normal protocol is to call the police. Additionally, there are very few instances where they are allowed to use physical force. If, for example, the customer was threatening harm to the security personnel or others at the store, that’s a situation where physical force may be justified.
Unfortunately, many security guards are unaware of the laws regarding the use of physical force, or they may ignore them altogether. Some of them overreact and use poor judgement, which is extremely dangerous if the security guard uses a weapon or potentially lethal maneuvers, like chokeholds. In many of these cases, there is a legal basis to sue the supermarket chain, and not just the employee that is guilty of the assault.
Protecting your rights and holding businesses accountable is a challenging process, but Normandie Law Firm is with you every step of the way. Don’t hesitate to call if you or your loved one was assaulted by a security guard, loss prevention specialist, or any other worker at a supermarket.
Financial Restitution for Assault Victims
As someone who was assaulted by an employee at a supermarket, you can seek compensation for your monetary losses and the suffering you are forced to endure as a result of another party’s reckless conduct. If you are filing a personal injury claim for assault and battery, possible damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages / lost earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Property damage
- Punitive damages
- Cost of hiring an attorney
Assault and battery incidents can result in death, which causes financial hardship and emotional distress to the victim’s spouse or family members. Those who lost a loved one to assault and battery by a supermarket employee may be entitled to the following damages from a wrongful death claim:
- Funeral costs
- Expenses for medical treatments up until the date of death
- Loss of consortium
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of expected income and benefits
- Legal fees
Knowing exactly what you are entitled to in a claim for injury or death is the key to maximizing your settlement and securing your health and finances. An assault and battery lawsuit attorney is available to meet with you for a free consultation, so give us a call to learn about the payments you can receive.
Statute of Limitations to Sue for Assault and Battery
Seeking help from a lawyer is the best way to ensure that a compensation claim is filed on time. In California, victims of physical assault, including excessive force by security guards, have 2 years to file a lawsuit from the date of the incident. What if you are not the victim, but a loved one of someone that dies from being assaulted by a store employee? In this scenario, you have a deadline of 2 years from the date of death to seek compensation in a wrongful death lawsuit.
No matter the circumstance, it’s imperative that you contact a lawyer right away, who can help you build a strong case and file a claim within the statute of limitations.
Contact an Experienced Assault and Battery Attorney
Our legal team is standing by to answer your questions and help you formulate the best plan of action if you were assaulted by a security guard or any other employee at a supermarket. We know the legal system is difficult to navigate, especially when you are suffering physically, emotionally, and financially due to a traumatic incident.
Let us take the burden of obtaining evidence, filing a claim, and other tasks associated with a lawsuit off your shoulders. We also provide all clients with a Zero Fee Guarantee, so we will never ask you to pay upfront for the cost of legal services. Your settlement from the other party includes attorney’s fees, so wining your case is the only way we get paid.
For a free case review with one of our legal experts, contact our law firm as soon as possible.
Other Pages on Our Website Related to This Topic
How do I Request a Copy of an Incident Report from Ralphs Supermarket?
H-E-B Supermarket Injury Lawsuit
Raley’s/Bel Air Supermarket Accident Injury Lawsuit
