Accidents Happen
While it is unlikely that you would have an accident in a coffee shop, it is still possible that you could get hurt, either while still in your own vehicle or if you park your car and go inside the building.
Any unexpected injuries that are the result of a worker’s careless acts may lead to a personal injury claim. Perhaps most importantly, a successful claim can help to pay the costs of a serious injury sustained at the coffee shop.
Adding Up the Damages After an Unexpected Personal Injury
A personal injury claim or lawsuit is divided into several different sections. Some or all of these may be awarded a payment. Each state has slightly different laws regarding personal injury, so you should get advice before totaling up the damages you could receive.
- Property, if damaged, could be included in the claim. For example, you may drop and break your expensive smart phone or tablet when you fall over after slipping on a customer’s spilled coffee cup. The cost of replacement would be a standard damage calculation that could be in the claim list.
- Medical treatment is often the largest component in a claim, especially if there has been a long period of hospitalization or the period of recovery is going to stretch into the future.
- Pain and suffering can be long lasting. Some injuries (for example, back injuries) can be extremely painful and could cause suffering for many months after the injury. The calculation for this component is one of the more difficult things to quantify. Your attorney will help you decide on a realistic amount.
- Lost earnings. These would be from your job or business both up to the time of the claim as well as any likely future losses if the injury is going to prevent you from returning to normal work. For example, if you have broken a thigh bone from tripping over a discarded trash item, it could take months for you to return to work.
Why You Should Talk to a Lawyer About Your Injury and the Claims Process
It is unlikely that you will have the legal knowledge and confidence to negotiate a claim all by yourself. It is not necessary to do this to save the cost of a personal injury lawyer, anyway, as most of them work on a contingency fee basis.
This means that you get the benefit of a professional lawyer but don’t have to pay any bills until a payment is awarded. If the claim is not successful, the lawyer has to cover the loss on their own.
*Disclaimer
The content of this article serves only to provide information and should not be construed as legal advice. If you file a claim against Dutch Bros. Coffee, or any other party, you may not be entitled to any compensation.
