After the Storm: Slip and Fall Injuries in Local Grocery Stores and Shopping Centers

When Southern California experiences rain, even a little can lead to big consequences—especially indoors. Grocery stores, shopping centers, and big-box retailers in Alhambra, Pasadena, and across the San Gabriel Valley often become hazardous zones after storms, as wet floors, poor maintenance, and negligent staff create the perfect recipe for slip and fall injuries.

If you’ve been injured in a slip and fall accident at a store or shopping plaza, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries, medical expenses, and lost wages. But holding a business accountable for negligence isn’t always easy—especially when corporate insurers are trained to deny or minimize your claim.

That’s where we come in. Call Doyle Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys at (626) 737-0036 for a FREE consultation. With offices in Pasadena and Alhambra, we’re ready to help you get the justice and compensation you deserve.

Unlike cities that are used to frequent rain, many businesses in Southern California fail to properly prepare for storm-related hazards, like puddling entryways, slick tile floors, and soaked carpeted areas. When it rains in Pasadena or Alhambra, injuries inside stores spike.

According to the National Floor Safety Institute (NFSI):

• Over 1 million people are hospitalized annually in the U.S. due to slip and fall injuries.
• 34% of these incidents occur in commercial buildings, like grocery stores or malls.
• The average cost per injury claim for a slip and fall is over $30,000.
• Wet floors are the leading cause of slip and fall accidents in retail environments.

Some businesses are more prone to negligence when it comes to floor safety. These include:

Grocery Stores:

• 99 Ranch Market (Alhambra)
• Vons and Ralphs (Pasadena & South Pasadena)
• Superior Grocers (East LA)
• Trader Joe’s (San Gabriel) Wet produce aisles, leaking refrigeration units, or just failure to place wet floor signs often contribute to dangerous walking conditions.

Shopping Centers & Malls:

• The Shops at Montebello
• Plaza West Covina
• South Lake Avenue District Post-storm foot traffic often tracks in water, and janitorial staff can’t keep up—or fail to post warnings—making entryways and walkways hazardous.

Big Box & Chain Retailers:

• Target (Alhambra, Pasadena)
• Walmart (Rosemead)
• Home Depot & Lowe’s (Azusa, Monrovia) These large-format stores frequently have polished floors and warehouse-style entries that become slippery during rain.

Case Study: A 63-year-old retired teacher from Pasadena slipped on a puddle inside a Ralphs supermarket near the dairy section during a light afternoon rain. Despite no visible warning signs and security footage showing employees walking past the hazard, the store initially denied liability.

After contacting Doyle Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys, we launched an investigation, collected maintenance logs, and secured surveillance footage. The result? A $110,000 settlement that covered her emergency surgery, rehabilitation, and six months of lost income.

Under California premises liability law (California Civil Code §1714), property owners and business operators have a legal duty to maintain safe conditions for all lawful visitors. If a store fails to:

• Inspect for hazards
• Clean up known dangers
• Post appropriate warnings (e.g., wet floor signs)

…then they may be legally liable for injuries that occur.

Elements Required to Prove a Slip and Fall Case:

1. A hazardous condition existed (e.g., wet floor, spilled liquid).
2. The business knew or should have known about it.
3. The business failed to take reasonable steps to prevent harm.
4. You suffered injury and damages as a direct result.

Even if you’re partially at fault—for example, wearing slippery shoes or being distracted—you can still recover damages under California’s comparative negligence rule.

1. Get medical help immediately, even for minor injuries.
2. Report the incident to store management and request a copy of the report.
3. Take photos of the hazard, your injuries, and surrounding area.
4. Get witness information, especially if store staff refuse to document the scene.
5. Preserve your shoes and clothes, as they may serve as evidence.
6. Contact a personal injury attorney before speaking to any insurance company.

Call Doyle Accident and Personal Injury Attorneys at (626) 737-0036. Our legal team will handle the investigation, speak with the insurer, and fight for your compensation while you focus on healing.

Slip and fall injuries vary from minor bruises to life-changing trauma. Some common injuries include:

• Fractured hips and wrists – especially common in older adults
• Concussions and traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Back and spinal cord injuries
• Knee and ankle sprains or tears
• Lacerations requiring stitches
• Chronic pain and nerve damage

If untreated or delayed, these injuries can lead to lifelong complications—which is why it’s important to seek immediate care and legal representation.

Our firm has over a decade of experience holding stores, shopping centers, and corporate property owners accountable for unsafe conditions. With offices in Alhambra and Pasadena, we’ve handled cases throughout the San Gabriel Valley and understand local courts, insurers, and tactics used to avoid liability.

We offer:

• Free case evaluations
• No fees unless we win
• On-site investigations
• Collaboration with medical experts
• Aggressive negotiation with corporate insurers
• Courtroom-ready litigation when needed

Whether your injury happened at a national chain or a local market, we bring the experience and resources to get results.

Don’t let store negligence rob you of your health or financial stability. If you or a loved one has been injured in a slip and fall at a grocery store or shopping center in Pasadena, Alhambra, or anywhere in the San Gabriel Valley, call us today.

The sooner you act, the better your chances of securing evidence, witnesses, and compensation.

Call (626) 737-0036 now to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. We don’t get paid unless you do.

• California Civil Code – Premises Liability
• National Floor Safety Institute
• City of Pasadena – Building and Safety Division
• Los Angeles County Health and Safety Complaints