When New Yorkers go out to eat, they don’t expect to have to file a lawsuit against the restaurant. However, hazardous conditions can exist anywhere and at any time — even at a person’s place of employment while he or she is acting as a customer. That was what happened to a Popeye’s employee when she picked up food while off the clock. She allegedly slipped and fell, suffering permanent injuries as a result.
The woman filed a premises liability lawsuit against Popeye’s and is seeking an unknown amount of compensation for the damages she suffered due to the accident, including medical and rehabilitation expenses, physical and mental pain and suffering, and loss of quality of life. She claims the Popeye’s she visited in Louisiana on June 20, 2013 — which was where she worked — was negligent in allowing her to slip and fall on the wet floor.
The woman was picking up food when she stepped from the entrance mat onto the ceramic floor. Water had accumulated on the floor due to the rain, and the result was a slippery floor. The woman slipped and fell, dislocating and fracturing her arm. She is accusing Popeye’s of failing to inspect the floors for hazards, maintain the floors, warn others of the water, clean the floors in a timely manner and understand the danger of wet, greasy floors.
Slip-and-fall accidents can be caused by water, grease, debris and other factors. It’s easy to ignore a dirty floor, but it can quickly become a dangerous property condition that can seriously injure a customer. While the woman is entitled to compensation due to the restaurant’s alleged negligence, she may also be concerned about possible retaliation because she is suing her employer.
Source: The Louisiana Record, “Popeyes sued by employee in non-work related slip and fall” Kyle Barnett, May. 20, 2014
