If you were injured in a store because merchandise fell on you, you might file a personal injury claim to seek compensation for your damages.
You need to preserve and gather as much evidence as possible so you can prove your claim.
Go Back to the Scene
You should return to the store where the accident occurred and look for contributing factors. Check for anything that could have caused the merchandise to fall on you:
- Wobbly shelves
- Shelves not attached to walls
- Uneven displays
- Merchandise stacked too tall
- Heavy items not properly attached to shelving
When you catch problems, you should photograph everything that you possibly can. This will help prove liability and show that the store was responsible for your injuries.
This is important in winning your claim and getting the compensation you deserve for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Take Photographs
If at all possible, you should get photos of the scene of the accident. This includes photos of any contributing factors you have discovered. This evidence might help you win your claim, but it might also help prevent this from happening to someone else as well.
Store management might not even be aware of the dangers that are lurking in that particular area of the store.
Protect the Physical Evidence
You need any physical evidence you can gather to support your claim. Since you were injured by falling merchandise, you should keep any bloodied or torn clothes that you were wearing.
If your eyeglasses were broken, those should be kept as well.
Make sure you get photos of your injuries while they are fresh. Maintain a list of doctors that treat you so you can get detailed medical records.
Your lawyer might even want to get similar merchandise so he or she can prove the weight of the items that fell on top of you.
Locate Witnesses
Witnesses are important. If you didn’t get the names and contact information for any witnesses, you shouldn’t give up hope. Your personal injury attorney is experienced at tracking witnesses down and the proper way to approach them.
With the help of your lawyer, you can get witnesses to speak up and explain what happened. Store employees might have seen what happened as well.
The Role of a Personal Injury Attorney
Your personal injury attorney can make sure all documentation is put in order and that your evidence is properly filed so support your claim. By hiring a personal injury attorney, you can significantly improve your odds of being awarded compensation.
Your attorney can gather evidence, document files, conduct an investigation, ask the court to release the store’s surveillance video of the accident, and create a case that proves the store is liable for your injuries.
With the help of a personal injury attorney you can get compensation for your pain and suffering, lost wages, and medical expenses.
