Whether it's a quick stop into a deli on your way to work in Jersey City or a night out on the town at a restaurant in Montclair, a visit to a New Jersey restaurant shouldn’t end with an injury. Restaurant business owners and property owners alike have a duty to protect their customers or other members of the public who may be on their property. If you are in an accident or suffer an illness and can prove the restaurants' negligence led to your injuries, you may be able to sue a New Jersey restaurant in order to recover compensation for your losses.

Examples of When You Can Sue a Restaurant in New Jersey

If you’ve been injured at a restaurant, it's in your best interest to discuss your case with a New Jersey personal injury attorney. It may be difficult to know if you have a case without the expertise of a lawyer. Most personal injury attorneys, like Brandon J. Broderick, offer a free consultation. The following are the most common examples of when you may be able to file a claim against a restaurant in New Jersey:

Trip, Slip and Fall Accidents 

Many people can envision the spilled liquid on a slick floor causing a patron to slip and fall. These types of accidents can also occur in parking lots, sidewalks and bathrooms. Common causes of slip and fall accidents often result from unsafe surface conditions or unsafe environmental conditions such as:

• Wet floors from a recent spill or mopping
• Loose floorboards causing an uneven surface
• Jagged or uneven concrete
• Defective stairs
• Cluttered floors, aisles or hallways
• Parking lot potholes or hazards
• Poorly removed or untreated ice or snow
• Cords and other exposed tripping hazards
• Poor lighting

Under New Jersey law, property owners are required to warn all visitors of known hazards and dangers and must reasonably inspect for any hazards and dangers. If the restaurant’s negligence caused the accident, you may be able to file a premises liability lawsuit with the help of a personal injury lawyer.

Food Poisoning 

Food poisoning can cause severe illness resulting in hospitalization and missed time from work. While you may be able to guess that the restaurant’s food is what caused your illness, food poisoning cases can be tricky to prove. It may be hard to trace exactly what it was that caused you to become ill. To bring a successful claim, you must show that the food you ate was contaminated and that it was that same contaminated food that made you ill.

Much of the time it’s difficult to determine whether the food you ate was contaminated because it's been consumed or thrown away. This is even more of a challenge if there has been a time delay between eating the food and exhibiting symptoms. However, if many other people have come down with food poisoning by eating the same contaminated food, your case could be easier to prove.

Hit by a Food Delivery Driver

If you’re hit by a delivery driver employed by the restaurant, you may be able to file a claim against the restaurant’s liability policy if your own PIP insurance doesn’t cover the cost of your injuries. Your case could be even more complex if you’re hit by a delivery service driver like UberEats, DoorDash or Caviar. Some of those companies are required to carry large liability policies, which could apply to your case.

If you are driving and are in a car accident with a commercial delivery driver, you will be dealing with not only the driver, but the company behind them. It’s in your best interest to discuss your case with a New Jersey personal injury attorney.

Brandon J. Broderick, New Jersey Personal Injury Lawyers

If you’ve been injured or suffered an illness due to a restaurant’s negligence, discuss your case with an experienced personal injury lawyer. You may be able to file a claim to recover medical expenses such as hospital bills, rehabilitative therapies, medications and other costs related to your care. In addition, you can seek lost income for the time away from work you missed to recover as well as damages for emotional trauma like pain and suffering.

At Brandon J Broderick, Attorney at Law, we believe in compassion and empathy and will aggressively litigate your claim to maximize your compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation. With our proven track record of success, our highly rated law firm will get you the justice you deserve.