A DANGEROUS AISLE

Summary

A quick grocery trip turned into years of pain and mobility problems for a Missouri woman after she slipped on standing water leaking from a freezer inside a supermarket.

What initially seemed like a minor fall eventually developed into chronic knee pain, reduced mobility, and long-term physical limitations that continued long after the accident itself.

When the grocery store and its insurance company failed to fairly resolve the claim, Finder Law filed suit to hold the business accountable for maintaining unsafe conditions inside the store.

A Missouri woman was shopping with her family at a local supermarket when she entered the frozen foods aisle and suddenly slipped on standing water leaking from a freezer. There were no warning signs, no cones, and no employees attempting to clean the area before the fall occurred. 

During the fall, she landed on one knee while twisting the other. Initially believing the pain would improve on its own, she delayed emergency treatment and instead followed up with her primary care physician shortly afterward.

Medical examinations revealed significant knee pain, decreased range of motion, tenderness, crepitus, instability, and ongoing mobility problems. As time passed, the pain failed to improve. Walking, standing, squatting, climbing stairs, and even sleeping became difficult because of the injuries. 

She later sought treatment from orthopedic specialists and underwent extensive physical therapy over the course of nearly two years. Despite consistent treatment and compliance with therapy recommendations, she continued experiencing pain, instability, and reduced function in her knees. 

Her providers ultimately determined she had reached maximum medical improvement while still retaining permanent laxity and chronic pain in her knee. 

Businesses that invite customers onto their property have a responsibility to maintain reasonably safe conditions.

In this case, the grocery store either knew — or should have known — that a leaking freezer had created standing water in a customer walkway. Despite the danger, no efforts were made to correct the condition or warn shoppers before the fall occurred. 

Slip-and-fall cases are often aggressively disputed by insurance companies. Businesses frequently attempt to minimize injuries or argue that falls are simply unavoidable accidents.

But for this client, the consequences were anything but minor.

What began as a routine shopping trip resulted in years of treatment, chronic pain, reduced mobility, and permanent physical limitations that affected her everyday life.

What began as a routine shopping trip resulted in years of treatment, chronic pain, reduced mobility, and permanent physical limitations that affected her everyday life.

Despite clear evidence of unsafe conditions and extensive medical treatment, the insurance company failed to offer fair compensation during pre-suit negotiations.

As a result, filing a lawsuit became necessary to protect the client’s rights and pursue the compensation she deserved.

Finder Law gathered medical records, treatment history, physical therapy documentation, and evidence regarding the dangerous condition inside the store.

The evidence demonstrated that the leaking freezer created standing water in the aisle where customers were expected to walk and shop. We also established that no warning signs were present and no attempts had been made to clean the hazard before the fall occurred. 

We carefully documented the long-term impact the injuries had on the client’s life, including:

• Chronic knee pain 
• Reduced mobility 
• Difficulty using stairs 
• Pain while standing and walking 
• Sleep disruption 
• Ongoing instability and weakness 
• Permanent physical limitations 

Finder Law initially attempted to resolve the matter through settlement negotiations by presenting evidence of liability, medical treatment, and permanent injuries. 

Finder Law initially attempted to resolve the matter through settlement negotiations by presenting evidence of liability, medical treatment, and permanent injuries. 

However, despite substantial evidence supporting the claim, the insurance company failed to make a reasonable settlement offer.

Finder Law then filed suit against the grocery store and aggressively pursued the case through litigation. 

Only after litigation was initiated did the defense begin seriously evaluating the full extent of the client’s injuries and damages.

After suit was filed and the case proceeded through litigation, the defense ultimately offered a substantially more reasonable settlement than had previously been offered during negotiations.

Finder Law pursued compensation for:

• Medical expenses 
• Pain and suffering 
• Permanent mobility limitations 
• Future medical treatment 
• Loss of quality of life 
• Ongoing physical pain and impairment 

Most importantly, the case demonstrated that when insurance companies refuse to fairly compensate injured clients, Finder Law is prepared to file suit and aggressively pursue recovery through litigation.

Slip-and-fall injuries are often far more serious than businesses and insurance companies want to admit.

Unsafe property conditions can leave victims with chronic pain, long-term mobility problems, permanent injuries, and significant medical expenses. Even what appears to be a “simple fall” can permanently affect a person’s daily life and physical abilities.

At Finder Law, we represent Missouri clients injured by dangerous property conditions, negligent businesses, and unsafe premises. Whether a case involves grocery store falls, unsafe walkways, commercial property hazards, or serious injury litigation, we work to hold negligent property owners accountable.



Because customers deserve safe places to shop.

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