Hello everyone, today I want to share a personal experience with you—how I fell in a supermarket parking lot, bleeding from my knee and shattering my phone, and what I did to get the store to take responsibility.
This isn’t a made-up story—it really happened. And the process turned out far more complicated than I imagined. If you’ve ever faced a similar situation, or worry you might in the future, you absolutely must read this article.
How It Happened
It was Tuesday afternoon. I’d just finished shopping, both hands full of bags, and was walking toward my car. Suddenly, my right foot stepped on something dark and slick—later identified as engine oil spilled on the ground. I instantly lost my balance, my hands flailing in the air, until I hit the concrete with a thud.
My knee skinned open, blood seeping through my jeans; my phone flew out of my hand, its screen shattered as if smashed by a hammer. The pain left me sitting on the ground for several seconds, unable to get up.
I Confronted the Supermarket, and This Happened…
Limping into the supermarket service counter, blood still dripping from my pants,The staff glanced at me and immediately said, “This isn’t our responsibility. You weren’t paying attention while walking.”
Then they handed me a small first-aid kit and asked me to sign a piece of paper. The paper was filled with legal jargon I couldn’t understand. I didn’t dare sign it, only writing “The accident has already occurred.”
Their attitude was cold, as if I were trying to scam them.
That Night, I Started “Investigating the Truth Myself”
After getting home, I grew increasingly furious and decided to figure it out myself: Who was actually responsible for my fall?
I did three things:
- Immediately took photos
I had my family rush back to the parking lot to photograph the oil stain, along with any warning signs nearby and cleaning records. These photos proved invaluable later! - Called an insurance-savvy relative
My cousin, who works in insurance, advised: “Don’t rush to sign anything. Gather evidence first. If they have surveillance footage, demand to see it.” - Demanded the surveillance footage
It took three calls before the supermarket agreed to show me the tapes. The recording clearly showed: I did slip on the oil, and that oil had been there for at least two hours without anyone cleaning it up.
Who’s responsible? What does the law say?
After researching, I found that liability for parking lot slips isn’t always black and white. Three key factors matter:
✅ How long was the hazard present?
(If the oil spill sat unattended for hours, the supermarket bears responsibility)
✅ Was the supermarket aware of the hazard?
(e.g., staff witnessed it, customers complained, but no action was taken)
✅ Was I negligent?
(e.g., if I was distracted by my phone, I might share partial responsibility)
In my case, the oil remained for over two hours. Surveillance showed no cleanup, and no “Caution: Slippery” signs were posted—so the supermarket bears primary responsibility.
Compensation Process: They Initially Offered Only $50
I sent them my medical bills (emergency room cost $287) and phone repair estimate (over $300). They didn’t respond for a full week.
On the seventh day, a customer service rep finally called: “We’d like to offer you a $50 gift card as a gesture of goodwill.”
I lost my temper immediately: “I’m here for compensation, not coupons!”
I told them that if they didn’t resolve it, I’d take them to Small Claims Court (a court specifically for handling small monetary disputes, where you don’t need a lawyer and ordinary people can go).
The result? Their attitude did a complete 180. Two days later, someone contacted me, saying they were willing to fully reimburse the medical expenses and cover half the phone repair costs.
I signed some documents and received the compensation two weeks later.
My Honest Advice (Hard-Learned Lessons!)
- After falling, even if bleeding, take photos first
Snap shots of the oil spill, the ground, the surroundings, and your injuries. These are the most crucial evidence. - Find witnesses and get their contact info
If anyone saw your fall, ask if they’ll testify. Even just a phone number is useful. - Don’t rush to sign anything or accept the “first offer”
The initial settlement proposal from the business is usually rock-bottom. Insist on negotiation—they’ll only take you seriously then. - Small claims court isn’t scary—it actually works
Don’t fear litigation. These minor cases follow a straightforward process; many people handle them themselves. - Parking lots aren’t safe places
Many assume parking lots are just “places to park,” but they can be among the most dangerous spots—oil spills, puddles, potholes, poor lighting… all potential trip hazards.
Final Summary
If you fall in someone else’s parking lot, it’s not necessarily all your fault, nor is it necessarily all theirs. The key is: Can you prove they knew about the hazard but failed to address it?
This fall hurt, but I learned a lot. I hope my experience helps you—so you or your family know how to protect yourselves if faced with a similar situation.
Don’t be afraid of the hassle. Fight for what you deserve!
— An ordinary person with a scarred knee, a replaced phone screen, but successful compensation.
