How Is Liability Determined for Restaurant Injuries in CA?

Whether you are going out to celebrate an accomplishment or simply do not want to cook, dining out is something many people enjoy. Not only can you try new foods, but you do not have to worry about cooking or doing dishes afterward. However, this experience can quickly turn from a nice dining experience to an urgent situation in the event you become injured. If this reflects your circumstances, the following blog explores what you should know in regards to restaurant injuries, including who can face liability for the injuries you have suffered and the importance of working with our Irvine personal injury lawyers to help you navigate these complicated legal times.

What Are Common Restaurant Injuries?

In general, one of the most common accidents that patrons can suffer while in a restaurant is a slip and fall. With food and drinks being transported to and from tables, spills are inevitable. However, if staff fail to adequately respond to these hazards, unsuspecting patrons can slip, fall, and sustain serious injuries as a result.

Additionally, burn injuries are also common in restaurants. As mentioned, with trays of hot food being transported to and from the kitchen to the dining room, servers can slip, fall, or trip. As a result, the contents of the tray can fall onto diners, resulting in serious burn injuries as a result.

Who Can Face Liability for Damages?

Though it may seem simple to determine responsibility for injuries suffered in a restaurant, like most premises liability cases, there may be multiple parties at fault. As such, if you have sustained an injury in or on the premises of a restaurant, it is in your best interest to connect with an experienced attorney to help you navigate these complicated situations.

For example, if you are injured because a server slips and falls due to a spill, thus burning you with a tray of hot soup, the restaurant owner and management can face liability. They may be liable because it is ultimately their responsibility to ensure that the conditions of the premises are safe and reduce injury risk for both employees and patrons.

However, if you are injured in a shared parking lot because of inadequate lighting, the property owner can face liability because the restaurant may not be responsible for maintaining a shared parking lot. Instead, the landlord or property management company would likely face liability for the damages you sustained.

If you have been injured in a restaurant, it is imperative to understand that you may have the right to seek compensation for the damages you have endured as a result of this negligence.