Injured in a bar? You may have a case for negligence.

If you were injured in a bar—whether it was from slipping on a wet floor or from an alcohol-related incident—you may feel embarrassed or that it was your fault. But certain factors could actually make the bar responsible.

Slip-and-falls

There are a few ways in which a bar could be held liable for falling accidents. Any slip or trip hazard could represent a potential liability. If poor lighting or a wet floor caused your injury, and the hazard wasn’t clearly marked or fixed within a reasonable amount of time, you may be able to prove that the bar was at fault. Even spilled beer on the floor could be grounds for a legal claim if the staff failed to clean it up quickly.

It is the duty of the establishment to keep the area safe for patrons—or at least to make it clear that an area might not be safe.

Overserving patrons

If your injury occurred because of the drunken actions of another patron, you might be surprised to learn that the bar could be held accountable as well. New Mexico has laws that place fault on the bar if the bartender knowingly serves alcohol to someone who is already intoxicated. If the bartender serving the patron was aware that they were drunk already, and that patron goes on to cause you injury, you may be able to seek damages from the bar as well as from the person who injured you.

As with other personal injury claims, proof that the other party was negligent is the most important part of your case. Taking photos and talking to witnesses can be helpful after an injury. It’s also a good idea to speak with a personal injury attorney about your options.