Dunkin Slip and Fall Injury Attorney

Dunkin, formerly known as Dunkin Donuts, is one of America’s most popular on-the-go eateries for coffee, breakfast sandwiches, donuts, and a variety of other refreshments. Currently, there are 13 of these locations in the Los Angeles area, and over 120 Dunkins throughout the state of California. The coffee chain prides itself on being a fast service location, where people can order ahead and dash in and out with their order. As a result, the average Dunkin is crowded and chaotic from morning till night. These conditions pose a high risk of accidents like slip and falls, which can cause severe injuries, including death. The serious nature of a slip and fall has been studied by organizations like the National Floor Safety Institute, which estimates that over 8 million every year end up in the ER after a fall-related accident.

To protect their customers and employees, Dunkin has a legal duty to ensure the safety of their property. This includes not just removing or fixing hazards that are obvious, but resolving situations that have the potential to cause an accident. Unfortunately, many fast food places like Dunkin fail to take proper measures when it comes to protecting those at their locations.

Have you sustained a slip and fall injury at a Dunkin due to an act of negligence or misconduct? In that case, you may be able to seek monetary restitution in a lawsuit against the company. Contact our law firm and speak to a Dunkin slip and fall injury attorney as soon as possible.

Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents at Dunkin Restaurants

As Dunkin is known for their hot and iced coffee drinks, spills on the floor are the leading cause of slip and fall injuries at these restaurants. Dunkin owners and staff are well aware of this fact and must be diligent in their inspections of the property. That includes inspections of outdoor areas, like parking lots and drive throughs, where people can fall from slippery or sticky substances on the ground. Aside from beverage spills, here are some other causes of slip and fall accidents at fast food eateries:

• Water leaks (in bathrooms, near beverage dispensers, etc.).
• Worn carpeting
• Lack of slip resistant mats
• Broken or uneven tiles / pavement
• Freshly mopped or waxed floors
• Sticky floor or ground
• Ice and snow in parking areas and sidewalks
• Defective handrails
• Exposed wiring / electrical cords
• Poor lighting that can hide slip and fall hazards

In all fairness, it’s not possible to completely avoid slippery areas and other hazards when you’re running a restaurant. But owners and employees must take any and all reasonable measures to prevent accidents on their premises. In the event that a dangerous situation can’t be rectified immediately, obvious warning signs should indicate that the area is unsafe. If a Dunkin location fails to take these measures and someone is hurt as a result, they can be sued for the victim’s financial and emotional losses.
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Common Injuries Associated with Slip and Falls

We mentioned earlier that slip and fall accidents cause extremely serious injuries. While some accidents are less serious than others, there is an increased risk for bodily harm when you have an accident at a restaurant. These places normally have hard floors, tables, and other surfaces that cause serious damage to many parts of your body. You can also strike or run into other objects as you fall, which can aggravate you injury or cause additional health complications.

Below is a list of the most common injuries that you can end up with from a slip and fall accident:

• Traumatic brain injury

• Hip fracture
• Fractured collarbone or shoulder
• Neck injury (whiplash)
• Shattered / dislocated kneecap
• Torn ACL / MCL
• Ankle sprain or fracture
• Fractures in the hand and wrist
• Broken tailbone
• First to third degree burns
• Deep lacerations
• Permanent scarring
• Dental injuries
• Broken nose / facial bones
• Rib fracture
• Spinal cord damage
• Nerve damage
• Paralysis
• Death

Please do not wait to seek medical attention, which can cause your injuries to get worse and lead to life-altering damage, like paralysis and necrosis. You must also have proof of your injuries in order to seek compensation from the company, which you can establish through a medical report. In addition to seeing a doctor, contact our office and speak to a personal injury lawyer without delay.

Other Accidents that can Occur at a Dunkin Location

There’s no disputing that slip and falls are the most common accident that you suffer at a restaurant, or any commercial property. However, workers and visitors can be harmed from other accidents, such as:

• Trip and fall
• Falling objects
• Assault and battery
• Sexual assault
• Drive through accidents
• Parking lot accidents

Most people don’t think about sexual or physical attacks when they’re at a Dunkin location. But these incidents happen more often than you think, and they can generally be blamed on lack of security. If you were beaten up, mugged, or sexually assaulted at a Dunkin restaurant, one of our sexual assault / assault and battery lawyers is here to assist you. Don’t hesitate to call and learn about the legal options that are available to you.

Can I Sue Dunkin if I was Harmed on their Property?

Yes, you can file a lawsuit against Dunkin if the business was negligent in their duty of care to you as a guest or visitor on their property. In legal terms, negligence is a failure to take reasonable measures, which could have prevented harm to another individual. When it comes to a coffee chain like Dunkin, there are many hazards that can lead to an accident. It’s the restaurant’s duty to foresee accidents that may result from these hazards and fix or repair them as soon as possible. Dangerous conditions at a Dunkin location include:

• Spills from coffee, juices, water, etc.
• Grease, bits of food, and debris left on the floor.
• Sticky floors from improper use of cleaning materials.
• Not putting up Wet floor signs right after mopping or to indicate spills / moisture.
• Bathroom hazards, such as wet surfaces, leaking sinks, broken locks on stalls, broken toilet seats, and defective hand rails.
• Lack of security measures like surveillance cameras, poor lighting, and defective alarms.
• Insufficient background checks on employees, or improper / insufficient employee training.
• Failure to maintain outdoor premises of the restaurant, like parking lots, sidewalks, and entry ways.

These are just the most common acts of negligence by restaurants like Dunkin, so don’t worry if the cause of your accident is not on this list. Our attorneys can verify your eligibility for a lawsuit and take immediate action on your case.

Monetary Damages from a Dunkin Injury Case

As a Dunkin accident injury victim, you can request various damages that are associated with your economic and emotional losses. You can also demand monetary restitution if your family member passed away from an accident at a Dunkin location. To give you an idea of what you can recover, here are the damages we generally ask for in a personal injury or wrongful death claim:

• Cost of medical services
• Future medical expenses (additional surgery, physical therapy, medications, etc.)
• Lost wages and future lost income
• Funeral costs
• Pain and suffering
• Loss of consortium
• Emotional distress
• Loss of expected savings and benefits
• Property damage
• Legal fees
• Punitive damages

One of our attorneys can sit down with you and verify which losses we can ask for on your behalf. With our many years of experience in retail liability cases, you can count of us to recover the settlement you deserve.

Average Case Value for a Slip and Fall Lawsuit

There’s no denying that slip and fall accidents produce some of the most serious injuries that you can ever suffer from. It’s not unusual for victims to have life-long complications, which take away their ability to work, care for their children, and engage in other daily activities. But even minor slip and fall cases can result in substantial medical bills, lost wages, and emotional trauma. When these accidents happen on commercial properties like a Dunkin coffee chain, the average case value is around $350,000. However, lawsuits involving long-term / life-long injuries can bring in higher amounts, perhaps $1 million or more.

How long do these Cases take to Settle?

How long it takes to settle a Dunkin injury case depends on many elements that are specific to your own accident. For example, cases with serious injuries generally take longer to resolve than ones with minor / moderate injuries. We also need to wait until you’ve achieved a certain level of recovery in order to assess your damages and ask for a fair amount of compensation. Then, there are various issues we can’t control, like Dunkin’s cooperation in working with us to negotiate a fair settlement. Frankly, it’s our goal to work directly with the company and settle your case within 6 months of sending the demand letter. However, it can take 12 to 18 months in total before you get paid, especially for accidents with severe or long-term injuries. For the most serious cases, like those that need to go to trial, the lawsuit process can take up to several years.

Workers’ Compensation for Injured Dunkin Employees

Are you a Dunkin employee who was injured on the job, or someone that was injured at a Dunkin chain while performing your job duties, such as a delivery driver or contractor? If so, you are eligible for workers’ compensation, which will cover your medical expenses and lost wages while you’re unable to work, or limited in your job duties. In order to be approved for a workplace slip and fall claim, please take the following steps:

• Talk to your boss / supervisor right away so they can file a claim with their insurance provider.
• Your employer will tell you which hospital to go to, or you can go to your own doctor if you predesignated a healthcare provider ahead of time. No matter what, seek medical attention right away to treat your injuries and establish proof of your right to compensation.
• Make sure to file the necessary insurance forms, which you should receive from your employer.
• Talk to an experienced workplace injury lawyer, who can protect your rights and assist you with any complications regarding your workers’ compensation claim.

Unlike personal injury lawsuits, you do not have to prove negligence to receive workers compensation. This is a state sponsored benefit that you are entitled to just for being injured on the job. Additionally, you may be able to file a lawsuit if negligence or misconduct by other parties contributed to your accident. To ensure that you receive maximum payment for your injuries, contact our law firm and speak to a California workers’ compensation lawyer.

What is the Deadline to File a Slip and Fall Injury Claim?

In California, the statute of limitations for an injury lawsuit is generally two years from the date you were injured. If the injury does not manifest right away, you have two years from the date you discover an injury resulting from the accident. Extensions past the two-year window can be granted, but very few claimants meet the requirements for extra time beyond the statute of limitations. To ensure that you do not miss the deadline to file your injury claim, call us right away to schedule a free case review.

Can I Switch Lawyers if I’m not Happy with my Current Law Firm?

Many people assume that they’re stuck with a lawyer if they’re in the middle of a lawsuit. But California law allows you to change your attorney at any point in your case. That means you have the option of leaving your current law firm and continuing your lawsuit with us. Of course, this is a big decision that should not be made on a whim. A second opinion consultation at our office can help you make the best choice for you and your loved ones. Even if you decide to stay with your current lawyer, the second opinion is free, so there’s nothing to lose by meeting with one of our attorneys.

The Los Angeles Injury Attorneys of Normandie

Retail premises like Dunkin are a minefield for injury-causing accidents, but most of these are preventable through regular cleaning and maintenance. When a restaurant fails in their duty of care, they are liable if a customer, visitor, or worker is harmed from a hazardous condition on their property.

If you’ve been injured at a Dunkin from a slip and fall, trip and fall, or some other accident, legal representation is the key to recovering the payment you’re entitled to. Here at Normandie, we have lawyers experienced in premises liability claims, who can take immediate action your case. There’s no need to worry about legal fees, by the way, since we offer a Zero fee guarantee. You pay us absolutely nothing, since we ask for our expenses from the party you are suing. That means we get paid at the same time you do, and if we don’t win your case, you don’t have to pay back a penny of our legal costs.

We are more than ready to fight for your rights as a Dunkin injury victim, so please schedule a free case review as soon as possible.

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