Every day, you visit properties owned and maintained by someone else. Whether you’re at the grocery store, a department store, or the gas station, the owner of that establishment is responsible to provide you with a safe environment. Oftentimes, the conditions of the property are not properly maintained, and you or a loved one could be injured as a result. If the owner of the property where you are injured has failed to adequately address hazards, you have the right to seek fair compensation.
The most common type of retail accidents are “Slip and Fall Injuries.” Leaks and spills plus a smooth, slick floor can create a very dangerous environment for a shopper. Stores are also responsible to protect patrons from injuries related to: items falling from overhead, broken or damaged shopping carts, parking lot incidents, etc.
Here are some tips on what to do if you happen to be injured in a retail environment.
After an incident, make sure to follow these steps even if you are unsure about your injury. Injuries can manifest weeks or even months after an incident, so it’s better to be safe than sorry!
1. Tell the Store Manager. Make sure the incident is recorded by the manager in an incident report. And if possible, ask for a copy that you can keep for your own records.
2. Ask for Names of Witnesses. Ask for names and contact information from any other shoppers or employees who saw the incident.
3. Take Pictures! Since everyone has a camera on their cell phone nowadays, it’s a great idea to take pictures immediately after the incident to document your injury and the conditions of the property where the incident happened.
4. Go to the Doctor. Again, even if you’re uncertain of the extent of your injuries, you should immediately visit your doctor and get checked for any injuries related to the incident. Make sure to explain the whole situation clearly to your doctor.
Every store owner has a responsibility to keep conditions safe and to take proper precautions to protect his/her customers. If a store owner has not taken proper steps to prevent an accident, and you are injured as a result, you have a right to be fairly compensated.
If you or someone you know has recently be injured in a retail environment, I would love to speak with you and find out if The Hicks Law Firm may be able to assist you in getting the compensation to which you are entitled.
Neither this blog nor any tips provided herein shall constitute legal advice. This firm only provides legal advice to clients who have retained this firm and signed a written contract to hire this firm. As such, those reading the tips and blog are not clients and are, therefore not receiving legal advice from this firm.
