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Dunkin’ (formerly Dunkin’ Donuts) is one of the biggest coffee and baked goods chain in the world, with almost 12,000 retail outlets in 37 countries. Dunkin’ quick-service restaurants (QSR) can be found in malls, airports, gas stations, grocery stores, and stand-alone locations throughout the United States.
Large companies like Dunkin’ are required to provide safe conditions to each of the three million customers who walk through their doors each day. This “duty of care” is required by every business operating in Georgia. If Dunkin’ breached their duty of care by neglecting to repair or clean up hazards found in one of their QSRs, you could be injured by a slip and fall accident.
Slip and fall injuries can be relatively minor or they can cause serious and long-lasting damage. Injuries that can occur during a slip and fall incident include:
- Torn ankle or wrist ligament
- Head injury
- Cuts and bruises
- Achilles tendon rupture
- Bone fractures
- Bleeding
- Acute spinal cord injury
These injuries can be both painful and expensive, especially if they leave you unable to work. You may be able to get compensation from Dunkin’ for your medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. Call John Foy & Associates today at (404) 400-4000 for your free case review.
More About Dunkin’
Dunkin’ was founded in 1950 with a single “Dunkin’ Donuts” store in Quincy, Massachusetts. Within five years the company began franchising, and by 1963 there were 100 Dunkin’ Donuts stores selling coffee and donuts throughout the U.S.
The company was sold to Allied Domecq in 1990 which eventually changed its name to Dunkin’ Brands. Rapid growth followed when Dunkin’ Brands acquired rival companies Mister Donut and Dawn Donuts.
To reach out to more health-conscious consumers, Dunkin’ expanded its menu in recent years to include bagels and other bakery items in addition to donuts.
Slip and Fall Hazards at Dunkin’
Neglect of regular cleaning and maintenance protocols can lead to dangerous conditions in a Dunkin’ restaurant. Potential hazards that could occur at a Dunkin’ QSR due to negligence include:
- Wet floors from spilled coffee or other drinks, a plumbing malfunction, or a recent cleaning
- Burned out or inadequate light bulbs, decreasing visibility in certain areas of the restaurant
- Slippery foods like jelly- or custard-filled donuts or cream cheese dropped onto the floor
- Discarded wrappers, chairs, or other objects left in high-traffic areas
- Potholes in the pavement or uneven sidewalks outside a Dunkin’ store
When You Slip and Fall
If you hit your head or have other potentially serious or life-threatening injuries after your slip and fall accident, go to the nearest emergency room or call 911. Your immediate health and safety should be your number one priority.
An investigation may be needed to determine whether negligence was involved in your slip and fall accident. Steps you can take to strengthen your slip and fall case include:
- Taking photos — Photographic evidence is often crucial in a slip and fall case. It is best to take photographs directly after your fall to document the scene as it looked at the time of the accident. If you wait too long, someone could clean up the hazard or place safety signs that were not there before.
- Documenting your injuries — If you have visible abrasions or bruises, take pictures of them before they start to heal.
- Reporting the incident to the manager on duty — File an official incident report. Request a copy of the report for your records, and make sure the manager is aware of the hazard that caused your fall.
- Asking for security camera footage — Look around for closed-circuit security cameras that may have captured the accident and request a copy of the video.
- Talking to bystanders — Ask other customers if they observed your fall. Ask them to write a signed statement or record their account on your cell phone. Make sure to gather contact information from witnesses in case they can provide additional support for your case.
- Never admitting fault — Do not say or sign anything that states your slip and fall accident was even partially your fault. Any compensation you receive from a court-ordered settlement will be less if you were partially to blame for your fall.
Consider taking the following additional steps as soon as possible after leaving the Dunkin’ restaurant:
- Visit your doctor — Even if your injuries are not serious enough for a trip to the emergency room, they should be examined and treated promptly. Follow your doctor’s orders, show up to every appointment, and retain copies of the bills and medical reports.
- Contact a slip and fall attorney — You do not have to fight Dunkin’ on your own. A qualified slip and fall attorney can negotiate with Dunkin’ and their lawyers on your behalf, investigate the specifics of your case, and make sure you file within Georgia’s two-year statute of limitations.
Reach out to John Foy & Associates Today
Hopefully, this is the only time in your life you will need a personal injury attorney. Make it count by calling John Foy & Associates, the law firm committed to helping victims of negligence. If you are involved in a Dunkin’ slip and fall accident, our “Strong Arm” approach can help you get the compensation you need. Call John Foy & Associates at (404) 400-4000 to schedule your free consultation.
