Friendly’s is a popular chain of family-style restaurants that are best known for their ice cream-based desserts, though they serve a variety of lunch and dinner items as well. As the name implies, the company prides itself on friendly, yet fast service, similar to what you would expect at a diner. Visiting a Friendly’s restaurant should be a pleasant and cozy experience, but some patrons end up with injuries due to a slip and fall accident that could have been prevented.
Frankly, there is no limit to the number of circumstances that can cause someone to slip on the premises of a restaurant. Here are just some of the slip and fall hazards that may exist at a Friendly’s location:
- Leaking water from pipes and appliances
- Oil, condiments, and grease left on the floor
- Improper cleaning methods that cause sticky floors
- Uneven flooring
- No slip-resistant mats
- Bathrooms with leaking sinks or toilets
- Worn tiles or carpeting
- Loose wires and cords
- Missing or poorly designed handrails
- Failure to remove ice and snow
- Oil spills, puddles, and other hazards in the parking lot
- Poor lighting that can obstruct a dangerous condition
- Failure to place Wet Floor signs around a spill
If you or someone you know was injured from a slip and fall at Friendly’s, please take a moment to discuss your rights and legal options with the lawyers of Normandie. Compensation may be owed to you by the restaurant, but you can be sure that the company won’t make things easy for you. Our law firm is more than ready for the challenge of representing you and fighting for the settlement you deserve. To speak with a Friendly’s restaurant slip and fall injury lawyer, contact us today.
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Injuries from a Slip and Fall Incident
The damage to your body from a simple fall can be devastating, depending on the cause of your accident, the angle at which you fell, and your age / health condition. The elderly are the most vulnerable in these cases, though anyone is prone to serious injuries, like hip fracture and brain damage. That’s why you should never take it for granted that you are fine after a fall-related accident. Please seek medical attention immediately to minimize the chance of permanent health complications.
Below are some of the most common slip and fall injuries that can happen at a Friendly’s restaurant:
- Broken bones
- Dislocated joints
- Deep lacerations
- Hip fracture
- Tendon, ligament, and muscle tears
- Broken tailbone
- Sprains in the ankles, hands, and wrists
- Whiplash
- Head injuries – concussion, traumatic brain injury
- Damage to the spinal cord
- Fractured ribs
- Ruptured internal organs
- Punctured or ruptured organs
- Disfigurement
- Nerve damage, leading to paralysis / loss of function
- Chronic pain
- PTSD, insomnia, phobias, and other mental health issues
Can I Sue Friendly’s for a Slip and Fall Accident?
Yes, you may have grounds to sue Friendly’s for the injuries you’ve suffered on their property. However, there are several factors you would have to establish in order to proceed with a slip and fall accident claim:
- You had a valid reason to be on the premises (you were not a trespasser, for example).
- Your accident was caused by a condition that would be viewed as a slip and fall hazard by the average person (grease on the floor, worn carpeting, missing handrails, etc.).
- The restaurant knew about, or should have had knowledge of the condition that caused your accident.
- Due to the restaurant failing to resolve the hazardous condition, they are responsible for the losses you have suffered.
These elements may sound simple enough in theory, but proving a case of negligence can be very challenging. In addition, it’s unlikely that you will receive a fair settlement offer from Friendly’s insurance company, as their goal is to pay out your claim for as little as possible. Our lawyers know what it takes to secure maximum payment in these cases and ensure that you have the necessary funds to move forward with your life.
What Kind of Payments can I Receive from a Lawsuit?
Compensation from a personal injury claim is made up of “damages,” which are divided into economic and non-economic damages. Essentially, these are categories of payments that you are owed by the defendant, either from an act of negligence or a breach of contract. Slip and fall injury claims typically include some or all of the following:
- Cost of medical services, including physical therapy, counseling, medications, etc.
- Lost wages and/or lost earning potential, if injuries are permanent
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Property damage
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
What is the Average Value of a Slip and Fall Lawsuit?
Slip and fall settlement values are based on various factors that are specific to each case. However, we can say for sure that recovery is generally higher when the accident occurs on a commercial property versus a residential property. In particular, claims against major businesses, like a restaurant chain, are high value cases, often in the range of $125,000 to $500,000. If the victim has permanent injuries, like nerve damage, traumatic brain injury, and spinal cord damage, the total amount received may be around 1.5 million to several million dollars.
How Long Does it Take to Settle a Slip and Fall Case?
The case settlement process can take anywhere from 30 days to over two years, based on the legal actions that we will need to take on your behalf. Unless the injuries are fairly minor, a more realistic timeline is around 6 months, going all the way up to 18 months for serious injury cases. For most claimants, we are able to negotiate a settlement with the insurance company following a demand letter for the damages they are owed. At some point, however, it may become necessary to file a lawsuit, which opens up the possibility of going to trial. Please be aware that over 90% of slip and fall lawsuits are settled without the need for a trial. Nevertheless, resolving your case at that point can take one or more years.
Free Second Opinion
It’s possible that you’ve found your way to this article because of problems you are having with your current law firm. Maybe you’re not happy with your lawyer’s recommendations, or it seems like it’s taking too long to settle your case. Whatever the issue, our lawyers are ready to help you during a free second opinion consultation. Our goal is to bring attention to any red flags in your case and advise you of the actions you can take. What you do with that information is always up to you, which is why we never charge for these consultations. If you’d like to schedule a free second opinion with a slip and fall lawyer at our office, contact us as soon as possible.
Time Limit to File a Slip and Fall Lawsuit
In California, the statute of limitations for a premises liability lawsuit is 2 years. This time period normally begins on the date of your accident, except in rare circumstances, which you can learn about from one of our attorneys. No matter how long you have to file a lawsuit, you shouldn’t wait to speak to a lawyer that can take immediate action on your behalf. There are many complications you may need to work through in order to succeed in a compensation claim against Friendly’s. The last thing you want to do is increase the amount of time it will take to receive payment, so contact us right away to learn about the legal options that are available to you.
Clients Pay Nothing Under the Zero Fee Guarantee
Right now, you may be on the fence about speaking to an attorney, which is understandable when your finances are stretched to the limit due to an unforeseen injury. On the other hand, you have questions and concerns that need to be addressed by someone with legal experience. Here at Normandie, we don’t believe in charging accident victims for the cost of legal services, which puts them at a clear disadvantage.
That’s why we provide each and every client with the Zero Fee Guarantee. Under this agreement, you can hire an experienced slip and fall lawyer for $0, since we wait until the end of your case to recover our fees. Furthermore, you will pay absolutely nothing in the event we don’t recover your settlement award, since the only way we get paid is if you get paid.
We are available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day, so call us anytime to discuss your legal options with a slip and fall accident injury lawyer.
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