Pregnant wife slipped in store without 'Wet Floor' sign. Legal steps?

Question

My wife, who was 22 weeks pregnant, slipped on water in a large retail store where there was no “Wet Floor” sign present. Although the store was initially helpful, I'm now concerned there might be more of a case here. We spent about 4 hours in Labor & Delivery monitoring our baby and my wife. I worry that the store might try to blame her, especially since they took her information for insurance purposes. It's likely there are cameras in the area where the incident occurred. What should our next steps be in handling this situation legally?

Mr. James Charles Wright · Answer

At least a letter should be sent to the store requesting the store preserve any video, pictures,  statements, incident report or other information and that they not change the condition of the area without notice and opportunity to inspect.

Tim Akpinar · Answer

As my colleague correctly advises, take measures to preserve any evidence. I hope your wife and baby are okay. To answer your question of what your next steps should be, if you suspect injuries/damages related to the fall, you could consider reaching out to Tennessee attorneys to try to arrange a free initial consult. If there were medical records of evaluation following that 22nd-week fall, those would be meaningful to an attorney, or records of testing/evaluation post-delivery, those would also be meaningful to an attorney. Good luck

James L. Arrasmith · Answer

First, I’m really sorry you and your wife had to go through such a frightening experience, especially during pregnancy. Your first priority—making sure both she and the baby are okay—was absolutely the right one. Now that the immediate danger has passed, it’s smart to think about protecting your rights and making sure the store is held accountable if they were negligent. 
 
In situations like this, documentation is key. Make sure you get a copy of your wife’s medical records from the hospital visit, including any notes about the cause of the fall. If possible, return to the store soon and ask (in writing) that they preserve any security footage from the area where the slip happened. Stores often record over footage after a certain time, and once it’s gone, it’s gone. You should also write down everything your wife remembers: where the water was, what kind of shoes she was wearing, and whether any employees saw it. 
 
Don’t feel pressured by the store’s insurance process. Just because they took her information doesn’t mean they’re on your side. Stay cautious about signing anything or giving recorded statements. You’re not asking for anything unreasonable—you just want your wife and baby protected, and if this was due to someone else’s failure to keep the store safe, you deserve a fair resolution.

Q: Pregnant wife slipped in store without 'Wet Floor' sign. Legal steps?