Slips and falls are the most common cause of injuries in restaurants, and they can be very expensive if you’re found liable. If a customer is injured in a slip-and-fall accident, expect to pay $50,000 if you’re hit with a lawsuit—this can increase if you lose the case. As always, prevention is better than cure. Repair any cracks or uneven sections of your restaurant’s stairs and floors, keep walkways for patrons clear of obstructions, and avoid storing supplies in areas that can be hazards for slips and falls.

Your restaurant’s liquor liability insurance exposure will depend on the type and amount of liquor you serve to patrons, as well as your state’s policies on who you’re allowed to sell alcohol to and how much you can sell. This is why it’s important to seek the advice of an insurance professional with firsthand knowledge of your state’s liquor serving requirements.

Any employees who serve alcohol to patrons must undergo sufficient training and know how to identify if a customer is dangerously intoxicated. You can also adopt restaurant policies that promote safety, such as free taxi services and designated driver, which will help prevent liquor related claims.

This deserves an entire section on its own due to the potential hazards in a restaurant, particularly the kitchen. Besides slip-and-fall accidents, common injuries that can lead to workers’ compensation claims are cuts, burns, and sprains and muscle strain caused by heavy and improper lifting.

Employees should be trained on how to:

• Handle food and other ingredients safely
• Use cooking equipment safely
• Carry dish loads and supplies safely
• Put out fires with fire extinguishers and other fire safety equipment

This deserves an entire section on its own due to the potential hazards in a restaurant, particularly the kitchen. Besides slip-and-fall accidents, common injuries that can lead to workers’ compensation claims are cuts, burns, and sprains and muscle strain caused by heavy and improper lifting.