Slip and Fall: Fighting the Big Department Store
Slip and fall injuries can occur when you least expect them, even when shopping at a local department store. It is the duty of all businesses to provide a safe environment for their customers and this includes slip, trip and fall prevention. Tripping over merchandise or falling due to a pothole in the parking lot when shopping at a department store can cause serious injury. If you fall due to negligent maintenance of the property, you may be eligible to pursue compensation from the department store for your injuries.
Common Causes of Retail Store Slip and Fall Accidents
Under premise liability laws, businesses must maintain a safe environment and remove any hazards to prevent injuries. If a customer slips on a wet floor or trips over a loose piece of carpet, the store may be liable for their injuries. Common causes of retail slip, trip and fall injuries include:
- Slippery parking lots and sidewalks
- Uneven or damaged parking lots and sidewalks
- Wet floors
- Slippery waxed floors
- Poor transitions from carpet to hard flooring
- Merchandise on the floor
- Loose rugs or mats
- Cluttered aisles
It only takes a moment to trip or slip on an object or unsafe flooring material. Depending on how you fall, you can fracture a bone, sustain lacerations or hit your head. These injuries can cost you in medical bills, time lost from work and other expenses. If the fall was caused by lack of property maintenance or negligence, you may be able to make a premise liability claim for your injuries.
Pursuing a Liability Claim Against the Big Department Store
Department stores and most businesses have premise liability insurance to cover accidents that occur on the property. However, like most insurance claims, premise liability payouts to injured customers are scrutinized by both the business and the insurance company. It is common for them to deny a claim or offer a low payout to the injured party. An injured person should not try to negotiate his or her claim alone. You need a personal injury lawyer to fight your battle to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
At Tison Law Group, we understand premise liability laws and help our clients fight for their right to injury compensation. If you have been injured due to a slip and fall accident at a retail store or other business caused by property negligence, contact our office. We can discuss your claim in a free consultation and go over your legal options.
