Epic Wings is a chain of restaurants that specialize in chicken wings and tenderloin strips, especially Buffalo wings. According to their website, the founders were the first people to bring Buffalo wings to the West Coast in 1982. The company prides itself on food that’s made on-site every day, unlike most other places that use freezers, microwaves, and heat lamps. As you can imagine, many people enjoy the home cooking at Epic Wings, making them one of southern California’s most popular eateries.
The downside to these restaurants is the potential for accidents, primarily slip and falls and trip and falls. Of course, any restaurant is prone to fall-related accidents. But the making and eating of wings is a messy affair. Sauces, beverages, napkins on the floor – these are just some of the hazards that can cause people to fall down. If you were one of the unfortunate victims that suffered a slip and fall or trip and fall injury at Epic Wings, you may be asking yourself, “What are my rights?”
The restaurant injury attorneys of Normandie are here to advise you of your legal options. With our decades of experience in the recovery of injury settlements, you can be confident in our ability to win your case. Our law firm is here for you as well if you’ve lost a loved one to an accident at an Epic Wings location. Through a free, no-obligation case review, we can assist you with all your concerns, including:
- Can I sue Epic Wings for a slip and fall or trip and fall accident?
- How much compensation can I receive from a lawsuit?
- How long will I have to wait to get paid on my case?
- Is there a deadline to file a lawsuit against Epic Wings?
To speak with an Epic Wings injury accident attorney, contact us at your earliest convenience.
Fall-related Accidents at a Restaurant
There are plenty of ways that someone can be harmed at a restaurant, but it’s hard to deny how often people are injured from slip and falls and trip and falls. The truth is, there are endless hazards throughout the property that people can slip on or trip over. Though it’s impossible to list them all, here is a list of the most common fall injury hazards:
- Spilled drinks
- Water leaks
- Food and grease on the floor
- Leaking appliances
- Leaking pipes (or toilets / sinks in the bathrooms)
- Lack of warning signs (Wet Floor signs, for example)
- Snow, ice, and puddles in the parking lot
- Cluttered aisles and walkways
- Loose wiring
- Exposed rebar in the parking lot
- Missing or insufficient anti-slip mats
- Defective handrails
- Missing tiles or worn patches of carpet
- Improper cleaning methods (can make floors slippery or sticky)
- Step stools and stepladders that are not put away
- Store displays with protruding edges
- Poor lighting, especially in bathrooms and dark corridors
Of course, not every accident can be blamed on the restaurant. And there’s no denying that Epic Wings gets very busy at times, making it difficult for staff and management to keep up with cleaning and maintenance duties. However, these places owe their customers a duty of care under California’s premises liability law. As such, they are responsible if someone is injured due to a condition that the restaurant could have prevented with reasonable measure.
Our Recent Verdicts and Settlements
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$1.5 Million
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Injuries from a Slip and Fall or Trip and Fall Accident
When most people think of falling down, it may not seem like a big deal. In fact, it may even seem comical, depending on the circumstances. In truth, falling down unexpectedly due to a slip and fall or trip and fall hazard can be an extremely serious event. If you need proof of how dangerous these accidents are, consider that over 800,000 people are hospitalized every year from a fall-related injury. Most of these accidents occur from slipping on or tripping over something, which account for over 8 million emergency visits on an annual basis, according to the National Floor Safety Institute.
So, what kind of injuries can you end up with from a slip and fall or trip and fall accident? Here are some examples, though keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive list:
- Hip fracture
- Traumatic brain injury
- Skull fracture
- Broken ribs
- Puncturing or rupturing of internal organs
- Serious back injuries (spinal cord damage)
- Whiplash
- Knee injury (Torn ACL / MCL, kneecap fracture)
- Permanent nerve damage
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Deep cuts that can lead to infections
- Paralysis
- Death
It’s important to note that some injuries take time to manifest, so you may not feel that bad in the beginning. Many people insist that they’re fine and go straight home instead of seeing a doctor for medical treatment. Please do not make this mistake, as it can have devastating consequences on your health. Injuries like nerve damage and hip fracture can cause permanent damage, including death, if they are not treated right away. Not seeking medical attention will also compromise your right to compensation. To ensure that you have a medical record to support your claim, don’t wait to go to an emergency room or urgent care center if you’ve been hurt from a slip and fall or trip and fall.
Along with medical care, you need to learn about your rights and legal options, which is where we can be of help. Call Normandie Law Firm and schedule a time to speak with one of our legal experts.
Liability for a Restaurant Accident Injury
As a general rule, property owners are liable for any accidents on their property that were caused by acts of negligence or misconduct. This includes the actions of people acting on the owner’s behalf, i.e., employees. This is based on the state’s premises liability law, which requires owners to take all reasonable measures for the purpose of preventing harm to others.
In short, if you slipped or tripped on the premises of an Epic Wings, you may have grounds to sue the company for your physical and emotional injuries. However, knowing what happened and proving it are two different things, and it can be very difficult to succeed in these cases without help from an experienced attorney. Even if the restaurant admits fault, they will most likely refuse to pay you for anything other than your medical costs. You are owed much more, which we will cover in the next section. For now, just know that Epic Wings and their insurance company are not on your side. Representation from our law firm can help you obtain the highest settlement in a slip and fall or trip and fall accident claim.
Restitution from an Epic Wings Injury Claim
If you meet the eligibility criteria for a lawsuit, you are entitled to numerous forms of compensation, which are known as economic and non-economic damages. As someone who sustained bodily harm from falling down at Epic Wings, your available compensation may include:
- Cost of medical treatments
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
- Legal fees
- Punitive damages
Next, we will talk about the damages that apply to a case of wrongful death, meaning your family member, spouse, of registered domestic partner passed away from a fall-related accident at Epic Wings. Loved ones of the decedent may be entitled to:
- Funeral costs
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of expected savings
- Legal fees
Now that you know about the damages you can recover, you may be wondering, “What is the average value of a slip and fall / trip and fall injury case?” In all honesty, there are too many variations in an accident case for us to say what is an “average” amount of compensation for these claims. Settlements are normally under $75,000 for minor injuries. Moderate injury cases can be worth around $150,000 to over $350,000. If there are permanent injuries that compromise critical functions, case values will jump significantly. Settlements or verdicts of $750,000 to several million dollars are possible with these claims.
Due to the wide ranges in settlement values, assuming what your case is worth based on previous lawsuits is not a good idea. Others rely on settlement calculators, which are easily available online. However, these calculators cannot account for all the individual factors that may be relevant to your case. For the most accurate approximation of your case value, schedule a free case review with a personal injury lawyer at our office.
Statute of Limitations for a Personal Injury Claim
All personal injury and wrongful death lawsuits are subject to a statute of limitations, which is the length of time that you have to seek damages from a negligent party. For a slip and fall or trip and fall injury case, the filing deadline is two years from the accident date or the date your loved one passed away. There are a few exceptions to this rule, but they only apply in limited, exceptional cases, meaning it’s unlikely you will qualify for an extension. Thus, if you fail to take legal action within the two-year window, you may permanently lose the right to sue Epic Wings. Call us right away to take action on a slip and fall or trip and fall accident claim.
How long do these Cases take to Settle?
Waiting on a payment that you desperately need can be a frustrating process, and unfortunately, these cases are not resolved overnight. Granted, we do have cases that are settled in as little as 30 days, but these are the exception to the rule. In reality, Epic Wings and their insurance company want to save themselves money, and that means offering you as little as possible. This is where aggressive legal representation really counts. We know what it takes to negotiate a settlement that’s in your favor, but that process can take 6 to 8 months, on average. Claims with serious injuries may take longer to resolve – perhaps 12 to 18 months. If the company is acting in bad faith and negotiations are not getting the result we want, we will pursue your payment through a lawsuit, which can take 2 or more years from start to finish.
Contact Normandie Law Firm
Normandie is here for you with the skilled and effective representation you need in a personal injury case against Epic Wings. We are committed to fighting for your rights and recovering maximum payment on behalf of you and your family members. To put your mind at ease during this challenging period in your life, we offer free legal services to all our clients. We operate under a Zero fee guarantee, which means we don’t make a cent unless you do. If we don’t win your case, you pay nothing at all.
Some of you out there may have an attorney already, but maybe you’re uncertain about the advice they’re giving you. Perhaps you’re worried about the lack of progress in your case or feel frustrated by the way you’re being treated. Come see us for a free second opinion, where you can have your case reviewed by one of our attorneys. We will discuss your legal options and help you determine the best course of action.
If you’re ready to benefit from these services, contact us right away to schedule a free consultation.
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