Winchell’s Donuts is a chain of donut and coffee shops that was founded in Temple City, California. Since it was first opened in 1948, the company has expanded to more than 170 stores throughout the world, though most of their locations are based in California. The business, which refers to itself as the “Home of the Warm ‘n Fresh Donut,” is famous for their offering of 14 donuts, instead of the usual baker’s dozen of 13.
It’s not surprising that so many people stop by Winchell’s on a regular basis for a fresh donut and hot cup of joe. Most of these people don’t expect to come away from their experience with an injury, but accidents are a frequent occurrence on the premises of a Winchell’s Donuts location. Incidents of bodily harm can be caused by:
- Burn injury from hot coffee
- Slipping on the floor
- Tripping over clutter and debris
- Assault and battery at the store
- Falling object injuries
- Workplace injury
- Falls due to cracked or uneven flooring / sidewalks
- Sticky floors
- Poor lighting
- Parking lot accident
If you got hurt while you were at Winchell’s Donuts, compensation may be available to you if negligence by the store caused you to have an accident. If you’re interested in exploring your rights and legal options, call Normandie Law Firm to schedule a free case review.
Liability for an Injury at Winchell’s Donuts
Before you can sue a business for an injury, you must establish that they are legally responsible, i.e., liable for your accident. Generally, you must have been injured from a condition on the premises that the owners / employees knew about or should have known about. Sometimes, a specific person is responsible for creating a dangerous situation, like not posting Wet Floor signs around a freshly mopped area on the floor. If someone slips on the floor as a result, they would have the right to seek monetary compensation with help from a Winchell’s donuts slip and fall injury accident lawyer.
At other times, an innocent victim is harmed due to the owner’s failure to take reasonable precautions, like making sure that surveillance cameras are working and installing bright lights in dark, secluded areas. Regardless of the exact cause, the important thing is that the business (including their employees) failed in its duty of care to you through an act of negligent or reckless behavior.
For more information on your right to sue Winchell’s Donuts, contact the store accident injury lawyers of Normandie.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
$2.5 Million
$1.1 Million
$1.5 Million
$600,000
$525,000
$734,851
Potential Injuries from an Accident at Winchell’s Donuts
Many people fall down, get hit by something, etc., and assume that it’s no big deal. However, accidents at Winchell’s Donuts can cause serious injuries that will negatively impact many areas of your life. Some of these conditions take time to develop, so please alert the staff and file an incident report as soon as you’ve had an accident. In addition, make sure to see a doctor right away, as you may have one or more of the following injuries:
- Fractures and broken bones
- Concussion, skull fracture and other head injuries
- Dislocation in the shoulder or knees
- Disfigurement from burn injuries
- Nerve damage
- Cuts and puncture wounds
- Broken hip
- Injury to the spinal cord
- Internal bleeding
- Damage to the internal organs
- Muscle, tendon, and ligament tears
- Loss of function
- Psychological injuries – insomnia, phobias, post-traumatic stress
What Kind of Damages can I Recover from a Lawsuit?
If negligence by a business owner or their workers causes you bodily harm, you are entitled to payment in the form of “damages.” These categories will compensate you for your physical and mental injuries, as well as the financial losses you’ve suffered. Possible damages from a lawsuit against Winchell’s Donuts include:
- Medical expenses
- Income and benefits lost from time off of work
- Non-economic damages – pain and suffering, emotional distress, loss of consortium, etc.
- Property damage
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
Our lawyers are available to answer any questions you have about the payments you are owed from an accident injury claim. Simply give us a call and schedule a free case evaluation at your earliest convenience.
Workers’ Compensation Claims
Those working in the food service industry are at risk of serious injuries on a daily basis due to hazards like hot drinks, sharp knives, and moisture on the floors. So, what can you do if you’ve been hurt while you were working at a Winchell’s Donuts location?
Fortunately, benefits are available to you under California’s workers’ compensation system. You are entitled to these payments as long as you were injured on the job, meaning you do not need to prove that the restaurant was negligent in their duty of care to you. However, you may have a case for additional compensation if someone other than your employer is liable for your accident. A common example is accidents that are caused by a defective appliance, which may be attributed to the manufacturer. This may allow you to sue the manufacturer, separate from your claim with workers’ comp.
Our goal is to bring you maximum payment for your injuries, no matter the type of accident you’ve suffered. For a detailed explanation on your rights as a workplace injury victim, please take some time to speak with a workers’ compensation lawyer at our office.
Average Value of a Winchell’s Donuts Accident Injury Case
Frankly, it’s very difficult to come up with an average range of values for accident cases at a Winchell’s Donuts. The type of accident is an important factor, as well as the injuries you’ve sustained and how they will affect your life. For example, a slip and fall lawsuit with moderate to serious injuries may be worth anywhere from $200,000 to $2.5 million. Injuries from a falling object may result in settlements between $175,000 and $2 million based on the victim’s long-term complications. Of course, estimates do not account for the unique circumstances in your own accident, which will determine what you can receive from a personal injury lawsuit. To learn the value of your own injury case against Winchell’s Donuts, contact us to speak with one of our attorneys.
How Long Does it Take to Settle these Cases?
Ideally, we can bring about a fair and just resolution to your case within 6 months. If the business is willing to negotiate in good faith, it’s possible that your case may be settled in just a few weeks. However, the level of injury, as well as the defendant’s negligence or misconduct, often plays a role in how long these cases take to settle. That’s why we advise our clients right from the start that the settlement process can take one or more years. If it turns out that going to trial is the right choice for you and your loved ones, the legal process to bring your compensation can take up to a few years.
Statute of Limitations to Sue Winchell’s Donuts
The deadline to file a personal injury claim depends on the type of accident, but as a general rule, you have two years to file a lawsuit when the at-fault party is a private individual or business. As for when the 2-year window starts, the date of your accident is the best reference point. There are some exceptions that may be granted by the courts, which will give you additional time to seek monetary damages from Winchell’s Donuts. But these are exceptionally rare circumstances, so you should take action on your case right away with help from an experienced premises liability lawyer.
I’m Worried about my Lawsuit – What can I Do?
We often receive calls from claimants that are in the middle of a lawsuit, but have concerns about the way their case is being handled. If you are in the same boat, please consider meeting with us for a second opinion consultation. A free second opinion can help you gain clarity on the issues that are affecting your case, like apathy and incompetence by your current attorney. We can also help you figure out what to do about these issues, though there’s no pressure to do anything you’re not 100% comfortable with. If you’d like a free second opinion on your existing lawsuit against Winchell’s Donuts, don’t hesitate to give us a call.
Contact the Accident Injury Lawyers of Normandie
Our lawyers have decades of experience fighting for the rights of injury victims, and we are acutely aware of the life-altering consequences that are associated with an untimely accident. If a dangerous condition at Winchell’s Donuts caused you harm and suffering, you should not be left to deal with the costs of recovery on your own. A personal injury lawyer at our office can protect your interests and fight to bring you the highest possible settlement from a premises liability lawsuit.
We provide all our clients with a Zero Fee Guarantee, so there’s no cost to you if you decide to hire us. As we see it, we only deserve payment if and when you receive compensation from the responsible party. That means we get paid at the same time you do, and if we don’t recover your settlement, you owe us nothing at all.
If you’re ready to learn about your available legal options, schedule a free case evaluation by contacting our law firm.
