Jimmy John’s is a popular sandwich shop in many different states, including Georgia. The high amount of foot traffic plus various hazards in these types of restaurants can easily lead to injuries if the business is not careful. If you were injured in a Jimmy John’s store, it’s in your best interest to speak with a Georgia slip and fall accident and injury lawyer right away.
At John Foy & Associates, we’re here to help. For more than two decades, we have been helping slip and fall accident victims get the compensation they need and deserve. Don’t go it alone. Call John Foy & Associates today for a FREE consultation.
To schedule your FREE consultation now, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online now.
What to Know About Slip and Fall Accidents at Jimmy John’s in Georgia
Jimmy John’s is a sandwich fast-food restaurant that started in a garage in Charleston, Illinois, in 1983. Despite its humble beginnings, the chain has grown to over 2,800 locations in most U.S. states, including Georgia. Most of the locations are franchises.
Jimmy John’s is known for being “Freaky Fast” and “Freaky Fresh” with their food and delivery. Their menu consists of different types of sub sandwiches, including build-your-own, chips, cookies, or pickles for sides, and soda drinks.
There’s a lot to love about sandwiches and fast food, but a trip to Jimmy John’s can quickly become scary if conditions are unsafe. If the store’s management or employees don’t uphold certain safety standards, such as watching out for potential hazards, and a customer is injured, the store may be liable. That’s why—if you were hurt in a slip and fall accident in a Jimmy John’s—you likely have a personal injury case.
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Slip and Fall Accidents at Jimmy John’s Franchises in Georgia
Since most Jimmy John’s stores throughout the country are franchised, you might wonder if that affects your slip and fall injury claim. The business relationship would not reduce the store’s liability for your accident, but it can change who is legally responsible.
It’s also important to know that when restaurants are franchises, there can be a lot of variability in safety standards from one location to another. Even if Jimmy John’s as a business has high standards for keeping diners safe, not every restaurant manager will be careful enough to follow them.
Owner Versus Franchisee
A restaurant franchise is born from an agreement between the restaurant’s owner and a specific store’s operator (the franchisee). In a Jimmy John’s franchise, the owner licenses out the restaurant allowing the franchisee to operate and pay for use of the brand and existing business model.
Jimmy John’s Duty of Care
In Georgia, any property owner or occupier must “exercise ordinary care” to keep their approaches and premises safe. This includes franchisees. So, if a slip and fall accident happens at a franchised Jimmy John’s location and the accident was caused by the franchisee’s or an employee’s negligence, the franchisee is typically liable for the injuries rather than the owner.
The above being said, the owner may be found liable if certain business practices existed before a slip and fall accident happened. Liability may also depend on the relationship between the owner and the franchisee.
In general, it’s best to contact a slip and fall lawyer after an injury at any Jimmy John’s locations. They can look into the details for you and determine who is truly liable for what happened. Then, you will know who to file your claim with for damages.
Potential Slip and Fall Hazards at Jimmy John’s in Georgia
There are many different ways slip and fall accidents can happen in a Georgia fast-food restaurant. Some of the most common we see at places like Jimmy John’s include:
- Wet, slippery floors from spilled food, drinks, or other liquids, or employees mopping without warning signs
- Curled up or uneven rugs, carpeting, or flooring
- Poor lighting
- Broken stairs or missing rails
- Unexpected steps up or down without warning signs
- Rain or melted ice or snow that has been tracked into the store
The problem is not necessarily that hazards can happen. The above conditions can happen at any time, but it’s how the store’s managers and employees handle them that matters the most.
Employees must be diligent in recognizing and cleaning up or fixing potential slip and fall accident hazards within a reasonable amount of time. If a hazard cannot be immediately cleaned up, employees should warn customers or block off the area so that accidents cannot happen.
When employees are not careful enough, it’s a form of negligence—and the negligent party in any personal injury accident is liable for damages. As the injury victim, you have the right to recover damages from the negligent party (Georgia Code section 51-1-6).
Finding the Right Injury Lawyer for Your Jimmy John’s Slip and Fall Accident Case
Most lawyers will say they take on slip and fall cases, but you want to work with someone who can actual experience working on these types of claims. Since Jimmy John’s insurance company will likely look for ways to reduce the value of your claim, such as blaming you for some of the accident or questioning your injuries, you’ll need a lawyer who is prepared to:
- Gather as much evidence as possible for your claim
- Build a strong case to prove the restaurant’s liability and your damages
- Communicate and negotiate with the insurance company on your behalf
- Seek the fullest compensation possible in your claim
- Go all the way to trial with you (if necessary—but most slip and fall cases don’t require this)
Thankfully, most personal injury lawyers offer a free consultation where you can ask about their experience and their opinions on the details of your case. You should also seek a lawyer who works on contingency, meaning they don’t take a fee unless they win you money.
Talk to a Jimmy John’s Slip and Fall Accident and Injury Lawyer for Free Today
At John Foy & Associates, we have been working on slip and fall accident cases for over two decades. We only work for injured victims—never insurance companies. There is no risk to work with us because we only get paid if we win your case.
To schedule a completely FREE consultation today, call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online to get started.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
