Slip and falls are some of the commonest accidents on property that can be accessed by members of the public. This includes clothing and retail stores. It is the responsibility of property owners to keep their premises safe and free of slip and fall hazards. If a slip and fall accident takes place and the individual is injured it may be possible for the victim to claim compensation from the clothing or retail store owner. If this has happened to you, the next step to take is to contact a slip and fall attorney who will evaluate your case and decide if you have the evidence to prove that it was the store owner’s negligence that caused your slip and fall accident.
What You Need to Know About Slip and Fall Accidents
Many injuries in slip and fall accidents are caused by the store owner’s negligence because the store hasn’t been maintained in a safe enough condition which allows customers to shop safely. Because it is the store’s responsibility to keep the premises safe any victim of a slip and fall accident who has been injured may be able to claim compensation if injured.
The compensation could include the cost of medical expenses and lost wages while the victim has to recover from the injury and is unable to work. If the injury is severe the victim may be able to claim monetary compensation for pain and suffering experienced from the slip and fall accident. If the victim can prove the store owner deliberately delayed cleaning up a slip and fall hazard which caused a slip and fall it may be possible to claim punitive damages from the store owner.
A Store's Responsibility for Accident Prevention
The store should conduct regular checks of the store to make sure there aren’t any hazards like spilled liquid that hasn’t been cleared up and could be hazardous to customers shopping in the retail store. If a hazard can’t be dealt with immediately the store should get staff to put in place warning signs alerting customers to the hazard. The store has a legal responsibility to eliminate hazards it finds in its store and ensure the safety of customers. If it fails to do this and a slip and fall accident takes place it can expect the victim to file a claim for compensation to cover the financial and emotional loss caused by the accident.
Potential Slip and Fall Hazards in Clothing and Retail Stores
Common hazards in clothing and retail stores include:
- spilled liquids such as water and cleaning solutions;
- loose clothing or hangers left on the floor;
- uneven flooring or mats;
- poorly maintained entrances or exits such as failure to clear ice and snow;
- poor lighting.
The safety requirements for clothing and retail stores which help to prevent slips and falls are:
- keeping the stock rooms and shop clean and tidy, and free from potential slip and fall hazards;
- all trash and waste materials should be handled appropriately;
- all aisles should be kept free of boxes when stock on shelves is being replenished;
- all walkways and access routes should be kept clear;
- all car park surfaces, floor surfaces, ramps, slopes, and steps should be in good condition and well-maintained;
- appropriate safety signage or the installation of barriers should take place that restrict access to areas that are unsafe;
- appropriate floor matting that’s absorbent at the store’s entrance to prevent rainwater being walked into the shop;
- floors should be kept clean and dry;
- implementation of procedures for reporting spillages and breakages, as well as cleaning them up.
Failing to adhere to safety standards can make the store liable for any injury to customers from accidents like slips and falls.
Taking Action If You've Been Injured
If you have been the victim of a slip and fall accident in a clothing or retail store you should contact a store employee to highlight the reason for your injury. As soon as you have reported the hazard, you should consider consulting with a personal injury attorney who should be able to help you submit a slip and fall claim with the store. A personal injury lawyer who’s had experience handling people’s specific slip and fall claims can be an invaluable resource. The success rates of slip and fall claims for victims of slip and fall accidents who work with personal injury attorneys compared to those who don’t work with a personal injury attorney are far higher.
The attorney can help the victim do the following:
- seek compensation for medical expenses;
- recover lost wages;
- pursue compensation for the pain and suffering experienced by the victim.
Clothing Stores and/or Retail Stores
The top clothing and retail stores in the USA are Walmart, Amazon, Macys, Shein and Kohls. They all have the responsibility to maintain their stores to safety standards that help to prevent slip and fall accidents taking place.
Did You Slip and Fall at a Clothing or Retail Store?
Every year clothing and retail stores in the USA experience large numbers of slip and fall accidents. Fortunately, a customer who suffers injuries in a slip and fall accident maybe able to seek compensation if the victim can prove the slip and fall accident was the result of negligence by the store owner. If you have been injured in a slip and fall accident when shopping in a clothing or retail store you should seek legal advice as soon as possible as the store may be held liable for the injuries caused in the slip and fall accident because it has failed to maintain the store so that it is safe for customers to browse and shop.
Don’t hesitate - get a Free Case Evaluation today so that you are closer to filing a compensation claim for your slip and fall accident that was not your fault.
Learn more about specific Clothing and Retail Stores below:
|
|
