You went to the theater to have a great time while watching a movie. However, due to faint lighting, soda or popcorn spills, and other hazardous conditions, these places are also prime locations for slip and fall accidents. While a movie theater has a legal duty to ensure safe premises for all visitors, it may be held liable in a personal injury lawsuit for any injuries that arise if it fails to do so.
Causes of Slip and Fall Accidents at Movie Theaters
Because of the dim lighting in movie theaters, slip and fall hazards can be more difficult to spot. Importantly, movie theater owners are responsible for keeping the property safe and clean for visitors to prevent these types of accidents. This means cleaning up popcorn or soda spills promptly, ensuring flooring is in good condition, and repairing any dangerous conditions in a timely manner.
Common causes of slip and fall accidents that occur due to negligence at movie theaters can include the following:
- Food and beverage spills
- Inadequate lighting
- Newly mopped or waxed floors
- Worn carpets
- Defective floor mats
- Obstructions in walkways
- Uneven flooring
If the management, employees, or cleaning company at a movie theater knew (or should have known) about a hazard and failed to address it in a timely manner, liability may attach for any injuries that arose as a result. For instance, if a theatergoer is hurt due to slipping and falling on a spilled beverage that had clearly been on the floor for an extended period of time, the theater might be found negligent for not promptly cleaning it up. A movie theater might also be found negligent if it failed to place a warning sign regarding a dangerous condition, such as a newly mopped floor.
Compensation for Movie Theater Slip and Falls
A slip and fall at a movie theater can lead to a wide range of injuries, including broken bones, nerve damage, sprains, strains, traumatic brain injury, hip fractures, paralysis, and permanent disability. These types of injuries often require extensive medical treatment, physical therapy, and surgery. A victim may also incur substantial lost wages if they take time from work to recover from their injuries, in addition to out-of-pocket costs.
By filing a personal injury lawsuit for a movie theater slip and fall accident caused by negligence, a victim may be entitled to recover the following compensation:
- Unreimbursed medical expenses
- Costs of future medical treatment
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Pain and suffering damages
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Disfigurement
It’s vital to seek medical attention immediately after a slip and fall at a movie theater, even if the injuries seem minor. Some serious injuries do not appear until weeks or even months after a fall. By going to the emergency room or urgent care promptly, a doctor can rule out any internal damage and prescribe a treatment plan. Medical documentation also serves as critical evidence in any personal injury case that is commenced.
Other evidence necessary to prove liability and the extent of a victim’s damages can include photographs, security video footage, maintenance logs, witness testimony, and any incident reports that were filed. A personal injury attorney will know how to evaluate the facts of a specific case and obtain the evidence needed to support a claim.
Contact an Experienced New York Personal Injury Attorney
If you were injured in a slip and fall accident at a movie theater caused by negligence, you may be able to recover your economic and non-economic damages in a personal injury lawsuit. A skillful personal injury attorney can protect your legal rights and fight for the maximum monetary recovery to which you’re entitled. The Dearie Law Firm, P.C., has represented victims of negligence for over three decades and provides aggressive advocacy to achieve the best possible outcome in each unique case. Contact us today for a consultation.